February 2000

eMind.com to Add Online Computer Courses in March

Information Technology Improves Client Service

eMind.com, an Internet-based provider of continuing education and the NYSSCPA's affinity partner in providing CPE to financial professionals, will add more than 40 new computer courses in March and plans to add courses in other subjects. The new programs on eMind.com, formerly known as Yipinet, will bring its total online offerings to more than 370 by the end of the first quarter.

The majority of the new information technology courses cover Microsoft applications such as Outlook 97 and 98, Access 97, PowerPoint, Word for Windows 95 and 98, Project 98, and Excel 97, as well as fundamental approaches to Internet Explorer 3.0 and 4.0. Introductory courses to PC hardware and software and courses on Lotus Notes round out the list.

"There's no denying the benefits of using Microsoft Office and its applications," NYSSCPA Chief Technology Officer Kevin Lewis said. "It's the standard for many companies, and professionals in any field owe it to themselves and their clients to not only have it, but also to be proficient in their use of it."

Through eMind.com's online programs, CPAs can take advantage of Microsoft applications' various capabilities. Outlook, for instance, allows the user to create, send, and organize e-mail messages; schedule appointments and meetings; and create and maintain contact and task lists and a journal.

"CPAs have the power to e-mail a copy of a prior year's tax return to a client, eliminating the time consumed by finding the file, making a copy, and mailing it," Lewis said. "We're going from many minutes to a few seconds in terms of service, and this is just the tip of the iceberg of what technology can do today, let alone what it will be able to do tomorrow."

While in previous years computer courses did not qualify for CPE credit in New York, the State Board for Public Accountancy has since expanded the guidelines to include courses that are useful to the practitioner in serving clients.

"Under the current New York state board guidelines, CPAs can earn CPE credit while they learn powerful computer applications that will allow them to achieve greater efficiencies in serving their clients," NYSSCPA Director of Operations Alan Schmelkin said.

These courses are still in their developmental stage and CPE credit hours have yet to be determined, but eMind.com plans to unveil the new programs in early March. Accountants can currently access courses in taxation, accounting and auditing, management, personal development, and specialized industries. eMind.com's Knowledge Hub allows CPAs to keep track of course details such as field of study, CPE credit, and completion date for any CPE programs they take, not just online programs. They can also bookmark the online programs to do coursework as time permits.

Under New York state regulations, CPAs may receive only 50 percent credit for self-study. As a result, Yipinet offers a 50 percent discount off its regular prices for CPAs meeting CPE requirements in New York state. To receive the discount, CPAs need to enter "NYSTATE" in the discount code field when they register. The Society recommends that CPAs who already have registered should update their record to reflect this code.

Members can receive full CPE credits, however, to satisfy AICPA membership requirements and to meet CPE requirements of other state boards of accountancy. Registrants who are licensed in other states should check with their respective state boards of accountancy for self-study requirements. Most state boards have websites that are accessible through www.nysscpa.org.

For a current list of eMind.com online programs visit http://www.nysscpa.emind.com. *