Go Big (Mobile) or Go Home

One of the great things about owning an iPhone is all of the apps. If you're not an iPhone owner than you have no clue as to what I'm talking about. If you are an iPhone user you'll agree that you can find applications for nearly everything. So why am I ranting about the iPhone? It's fairly evident with Google's new Android OS and Palm, Windows Mobile, Blackberry et cetera that things are moving to an increasingly mobile environment. My curiosity lies in how future iterations of accounting software will allow mobile access. Security issues aside (remember there was a time when computers were not to be trusted) and smart phones are simply very tiny very mobile computers. My vision of the future (which also includes the Phillies winning a second World Series ) sees a not too far off time when an accountant can leave the office and conduct all his business through mobile apps. Not necessarily having a full version of Quickbooks on your phone but rather an iteration that allows you to track everything while out of the office. I envision it as a workflow management system in the palm of your hand. Just imagine leaving your practice earlier because of an emergency knowing that several important tasks are still on your plate. You open up an application on your phone that gives you a list of pending tasks, notifications, and IM's from clients and staff. You open the app and switch your workflow so that all notifications are sent to one or more team members while you're out. Now of course you want to check up on those tasks while you're out. You'll also be able to view your practice's complete and pending assignments no matter where you are. Receive a notification from a client about a file? A few taps on the phone and it's immediately sent to a team member. With all the tools out there right now I can't see this application as being far off. I am slightly surprised that such an application doesn’t already exist. I think it's only a matter of time before we see accounting practices go completely mobile with their practice.