For years, offering payroll services to clients had been the proverbial double-edge sword.

1. What are the major current issues in payroll that accountants should be aware of?

In today's challenging economic environment, companies are increasingly looking for ways to bolster revenues, and for some accounting firms that means offering payroll services for clients.

1. What are the major current issues in payroll that accountants should be aware of?

1. What are the major current issues in payroll that accountants should be aware of?

1. What are the major current issues in payroll that accountants should be aware of?

Payroll has long been perceived as a chore. Employees need to be paid, necessary government forms have to be filed, and taxes have to be paid promptly. "Many mistakes happen due to the preparer simply not knowing the rules," said Michael Hoffman, CPA, of the New Jersey-based firm of WithumSmith+Brown.

In a tough economy with a highly competitive market for accounting talent and the ever-increasing complexity of state and federal regulations, it is more important than ever for accounting professionals to examine their service offerings and clients' needs and expectations to find the best solution for their clients and their firms.

Accounting firms are not exempt from the influence of social networking and social media. The questions firms face are: Is it better to control or influence social networking? And how can social media help accelerate business?

Vertex has announced an online certification program through which continuing professional education credits can be earned.

Thomson Reuters has joined with Palo Alto, Calif.-based Bill.com to offer accountants using Thomson’s CS Professional Suite software a way to handle bill payment workflow online and help clients stay organized.

Cloud computing software developer NetSuite Inc. has unveiled what it describes as the first real-time end-to-end Web-based cloud business management solution for global services businesses.

Intuit has issued an advisory warning of a security problem in some versions of its QuickBooks software that could allow hackers to access a user’s computer.

Sage North America has launched a certification program for its Sage MIP Fund Accounting nonprofit customers aimed at gaining recognition for their expertise through continuing professional education-eligible workshops.

High-performing accounting firms are more likely to leverage technology to help them optimize performance in areas such as staffing, client service and practice management, according to a new survey.

Paperless office solutions company V1 Document Management is seeking partnerships with accounting, enterprise resource planning and customer relationship management software developers and resellers.

CCH has overhauled its ProSystem fx Suite, rewriting it to work as both a Software-as-a-Service application and on-premise software.

The American Institute of CPAs’ CPA2Biz subsidiary has added Copanion’s GruntWorx tax document automation software to the set of Trusted Business Advisor Solutions it sells on its Web site.

CCH has introduced a new online CCH Community that allows accounting, auditing and compliance professionals to interact in a kind of social network over the Web.

Intuit will be hosting free CPE-credited training sessions starting next week for tax and accounting professionals to explain new features in its QuickBooks Premier Accountant 2010, ProLine Solution, and Lacerte products.