Top 10 Tech Initiatives 2013 The American Institute of CPAs has released its annual list of the top technology priorities for accountants, as determined by a survey of over 1,600 institute members.

1. Top 10 Tech Initiatives -- 2013
The American Institute of CPAs has released its annual list of the top
technology priorities for accountants, as determined by a survey of over
1,600 institute members.

2. 1. Managing and Retaining Data
For the first time in nine years, IT security didn’t rank No. 1, edged out by concerns
about how firms are looking after the vast amount of information in their control.
Same rank in U.S. and Canada
Adequately addressing the issue: U.S. -- 55 percent; Canadian -- 57 percent

3. 2. Securing the IT Environment
It may have dropped from the top spot, but security remains a crucial issue.
Same rank in U.S. and Canada
Adequately addressing the issue: U.S. -- 51 percent; Canadian -- 56 percent

4. 3. Managing IT Risks and Compliance
Keeping up with regulations and requirements -- from the states to the feds to your
own clients -- is never as easy as just hitting a button.
Ranked No. 4 in Canada
Adequately addressing the issue: U.S. -- 47 percent; Canadian -- 57 percent

5. 4. Ensuring Privacy
More and more clients, regulators and governments have an expectation of privacy.
Ranked No. 6 in Canada
Adequately addressing the issue: U.S. -- 45 percent; Canadian -- 53 percent

6. 5. Managing System Implementation
Getting it set up right the first time -- and fast -- remains a top priority.
Ranked No. 7 in Canada
Adequately addressing the issue: U.S. -- 44 percent; Canadian -- 47 percent

7. 6. Preventing and Responding to Computer Fraud
New technologies offer fraudsters new opportunities, but they also offer you more
ways to detect and prevent them.
Ranked No. 8 in Canada
Adequately addressing the issue: U.S. -- 44 percent; Canadian -- 47 percent

8. 7. Enabling Decision Support and Analytics
As Big Data and Business Intelligence grow in importance, being able to supply the
right information at the right time will be crucial.
Ranked No. 3 in Canada
Adequately addressing the issue: U.S. -- 37 percent; Canadian -- 33 percent

9. 8. Governing and Managing IT Investment and Spending
Particularly with the cloud, finding metrics for ROI is becoming both more difficult and
more important.
Ranked No. 5 in Canada
Adequately addressing the issue: U.S. -- 38 percent; Canadian -- 38 percent

10. 9. Leveraging Emerging Technologies
The world is full of amazing tools -- you need to master them before your competitors
do.
Ranked No. 7 in Canada
Adequately addressing the issue: U.S. -- 27 percent; Canadian -- 22 percent

11. 10. Managing Vendors and Service Providers
Accountants are more entwined with their providers than ever before.
Same rank in U.S. and Canada
Adequately addressing the issue: U.S. -- 47 percent; Canadian -- 42 percent