Introduction
Welcome to my book. I am writing this book to provide you with useful
information to fully maximize your Internet experience. You may be looking
for accounting-related resources. Or maybe you are trying to stay on top
of the industries that your clients operate in. Maybe you would like to
build your own Web site or learn how to effectively market yourself on the
Internet. If any of these benefits sound useful to you or your employees,
please read on.
This book is broken down into six sections. Below I have outlined each
section to give you an indication to the exciting topics that lie ahead:
Section 1-Internet Crash Course for
Accountants
At a minimum all accountants should at least know how to carry on a
conversation about the Internet and its capabilities with a potential or
current client. If they fall behind and do not embrace this new
technology, they will become obsolete. The first section is designed to
make sure this does not happen. It helps the user gain an educational
awareness of the Internet's origin, capabilities, and future impact. It is
designed to prevent accountants from embarrassing themselves due to a lack
of "cyber" knowledge. This is where the acronyms will be
explained and Internet jargon will be demystified. In addition, the
section will include some "future thinking" revelations and
recent developments to tantalize the interest of some accountants who may
already know most of the history and jargon.
Section 2-Getting Connected and Using
the Web
This section takes you on a journey from "Reading about the
Internet" to "Surfing the Internet." There is a good amount
of "hand holding," checklists, and comparisons in order to help
you make the right Internet connection and browser choices. Speaking to
other accountants, I find they have a hard time transitioning to the
active role of connecting to the Internet and using it in their business
practices. Many of them cannot find the time to get connected to the
Internet. This section is designed to get you up and running.
Section 3-The 1999 Directory of
Accounting
and Finance Resources
Once you are "plugged in" to the Internet, Section Three
provides you with a myriad of accounting-related resources. The Directory
will solve your frustration of not finding useful Web sites to use in your
everyday job. Hundreds of accounting-related Web sites are featured and
are indexed by category for ease of use. Further, each Web site includes a
brief narrative that highlights the Web site's features.
Section 4-Creating a Presence on the
Internet
The remaining sections discuss the many possibilities open to you if
you choose to be a part of the Internet or create an Intranet. The first
step is addressed in Section Four, Web page and site creation. As the
Webmaster of CPAnet (www.cpanet.com),
I receive much E-mail from accountants who want to start a Web site. This
section shows users how to do it on their own or how to hire an
appropriate Web host. Tips, checklists and primers are available to guide
you through this process.
Section 5-Marketing Your Services on
the Internet
Section Five discusses various ways to market yourself on the
Internet. Since traditional marketing and publicity methods may not be
appropriate, this section teaches the user to "think out the
box" to create dynamic Internet marketing ideas. The most recent
Internet statistics and demographics are presented and discussed. Further,
this section addresses ways to increase the number of Web site visitors.
Section 6-Creating Maximum
Productivity and Interconnectivity
The last section will go over the basics for building an Intranet as
well as using the Web to its full potential. Finally, the section will end
with various ideas as to how an Intranet or a combined Internet/Intranet
can improve your employees' productivity and boost client service.
Updates and Feedback
Due to the timeliness of the information contained in this book, it
may be necessary from time-to-time to make Web site address changes and to
provide clarifications. You can receive information about these updates by
visiting the updates page at http://www.cpanet.com/book/updates/.
Also, if you have any feedback to provide, please e-mail me at book@cpanet.com.
All comments and questions are welcomed and greatly appreciated.
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