For one, communications through e-mail and file transfer are especially prevalent as is research with respect to product information. Val Steed, CPA of Steed Consulting in Centerville, Utah, has remarked that practitioners are knee deep in many other uses of the Internet such as usenet newsgroups, software support and big fixes including information on what your competitors are doing, promotion with information, marketing and direct advertising of products and services, and direct sales such as credit card sales, tax return processing and software delivery. In addition, there is a wide range of information and products from vendors available including discussion groups which offer all kinds of advice involving the areas of accounting and auditing, financial planning, fixed assets, integrated accounting software, nonprofits, payroll software, tax software, technology and tax laws, to name a few. A site such as The Electronic Accountant has original, daily news content geared toward the accounting industry plus feature articles, product exhibit halls, and a section that connects to a wide variety of products and services. The site also has hot links to vendors home pages.
Research facilities abound on the Internet.
That research includes obtaining forms and publications from governmental sources as well as legal decisions not to mention the latest in tax and accounting information. The source level is extraordinary. The American Association of Finance and Accounting is another good source for jobs in the accounting and finance sector. And the Electronic Accountant's Career Section has constantly updated job listings. Perhaps most importantly, accountants are using the Internet to communicate not only with their own offices in other areas but with their own clients no matter where they are.