The number of US households using PC banking services is expected to grow to almost 25 million by 2004, according to the GartnerGroup, a leading authority on Information technology consulting.

According to the GartnerGroup study, 86% of those using online banking cited "Anytime Access" as the prime motivator for usage -- even depite the reservations many still have about online banking.

Up from almost 7 million households at the end of last year, this fast growing trend poses some interesting challenges to the write up and bookkeeping services offered by many CPA firms. As online banking gets easier and more comfortable for consumers and businesses, and as the numbers of users continue to grow, we will be moving closer towards a paperless society. Online bill paying may be great for the environment, but poses quite a challenge for the audit trail.

CPAs who wish to remain the quarterback in the team of business and financial advisors to their clients need to be up-to-speed on the capabilities of online banking services, and take the lead in helping their clients embrace this new technology.