Hi-tech tops must-have wish lists; CPAs just can't seem to live without their PDAs, smart phones, laptops and other electronic tools of the trade.

Newfangled tech devices to ease mobility and ensure constant contact seem to be all the rage for today's CPA. To many, the gadgets are true work-savers; to some, they are lifesavers. To others, like it or not, they are essential for staying competitive. PDAs, smart phones, ultra-portable PCs and wireless access top the lists of many professionals this year. But which hot, new gadget can you not live without? Let's check in with a few trend-setting members of the profession:

Susan Bradley, Tamiyasu, Smith, Horn and Braun CPAs: "My Acer Tablet PC ... I love it. Lightweight and portable and just the right size for what I need."

Michael W. Harnish, Plante Moran: "Absolutely my Apple Airport Express (works with Windows and Mac). Creates a 10 user wireless network (B and G bands) from a single Ethernet connection as well as allows wireless sharing of a USB printer.

Michelle Class, Barnes, Dennig & Co. CPAs: " My wireless network at home. Since my husband and I both work from home a few days per week, it's wonderful that he can take his laptop and work from the dining room, while I have the desktop computer in the office.

Grog Lockhart, Lockhart Industries: "When I travel, I love the new (coat-pocket-sized) GPS systems that can give turn-by-turn driving instructions (as well as where the nearest hotels and restaurants are)."

Randy Johnston, K2 Enterprises: "Treo 600 and the portable Apple Airport. I can't imagine being a mobile worker in technology and not owning these tools."

Anne Stanton, accounting technology consultant: "I recently invested in the Corex Cardscan v700 and I use it all the time. Now I can electronically save the image of any business card and easily transfer data into my contact database and Outlook.

Allan Boress, marketing consultant and author: "I would stop anyone who dared touch my new HP IPAQ 6145, which combines a PC and the accompanying Microsoft programs with wireless e-mail and Web site access--all attached to my belt!"

Chaim Yudkowsky, chief financial officer and business consultant: "My Dell Axim and Blackberry phone. I still like Pocket PC for many things!"

Eva Rosenberg, author of the upcoming "Small Business Taxes Made Easy:" My all-in-one printer--an HP 9100 color copier, printer, scanner, fax.

Ron Seigneur, Seigneur Gustafson Knight CPAs: "I just moved to a Treo 600 to replace my old cell phone and my Palm Pilot. Not quite a "Crackberry," but I just cannot stand those who have to check e-mail every five minutes.

Sandi Smith, CPA Web adviser: "I love my new version of Camtasia Studio (by TechSmith). This software package allows me to produce customized multimedia video on the fly. I use it for training mostly, but later plan to use it for presentations and Web video.

Geni Whitehouse, Best Software: "I have two gadgets I use almost daily--my USB hard drive pen (I have been using these as giveaways at trade shows) and my digital camera.)"

Of course, technology isn't everything. As marketing guru Bruce Marcus reminded me, "The hottest gadget I couldn't live without is my brain, which sometimes works."

CPA tech tastes differ by segment of the profession

Personal digital assistants, according to recent reader polls conducted by CPA Insider[TM] and AICPA Custom Publishing, are tops on the must-have lists of CPAs both in industry and public practice. After PDAs, however, tech tastes can differ between CPAs in industry and those in public practice (see Table above and left).

'Must-Have' Tech Tools: Who Wants to Buy What?

Public Accounting

1. PDA                 46.2%
2. WiFi Everywhere     38.5%
3. UltraLight laptop   37.0%
4. Smart phone         36.9%
5. GPS device          23.1%
6. iPod                20.1%

Business&Industry

1.  PDA                 39.5%
2.  UltraLight laptop   32.6%
3.  WiFi Everywhere     30.2%
4.  iPod                27.9%
5.  GPS device          25.6%
6.  Smart phone         23.3%

Source: AICPA Custom Publishing and CPA Insider[TM] 2004

Percent of CPAs With Popular Tech Tools on Their Wish Lists

                    Public Accounting   Business Industry

PDA                       46.2%              39.5%
WiFi Everywhere           38.5%              30.2%
UltraLight Laptop         37.0%              36.2%
Smart Phone               36.9%              23.3%
GPS Device                23.1%              25.6%
iPod                      20.1%              27.9%

Source: AICPA Custom Publishing and CPA Insider[TM] 2004

Note: Table made from bar graph.