We often spend a lot of time in Microsoft Office creating and formatting presentations and writing emails and reports. The advent of artificial intelligence (AI) means office workers can now save time on such tasks. We have written before about one of the most popular AI tools – ChatGPT and GPT-4, its operating principles, uses and restrictions (see our article on GPT-4 here). In this article we are continuing our tour of new technologies, looking at Microsoft as a leading AI creator for business purposes and its brand new AI assistant, Microsoft 365 Copilot.
In this article we will look at ways to automate processes using various solutions, that is, how to process incoming PDF invoices that are manually entered into your system, the easiest way to compare data between your systems, and what tools you can use for creating solutions.
The crypto-asset sector has made changes to the payment and investment markets and challenged the tax authorities to trace capital gains arising on crypto-asset trades. On 16 May 2023 the EU Council supported the European Commission’s proposal to require crypto-asset service providers to report on transactions their EU customers perform in crypto-asset markets. This will help the tax authorities monitor crypto-asset trading and revenues, thereby reducing the risk of tax fraud and tax evasion. The reporting system is to be implemented with amendments to the Directive on Administrative Cooperation (“DAC”), which is the main system for exchanging data between the tax authorities. The new reporting rules have been passed in addition to the Regulation on Markets in Crypto Assets (“MiCA”) amending Directive (EU) 2019/1937, and to the Regulation on information accompanying transfers of funds, and these rules are fully consistent with the OECD’s crypto-asset reporting initiative.
Artificial intelligence (AI) has recently aroused interest in most people. Some are depicting end-of-the-world scenes with AI taking over people’s jobs and later ruling the whole world. Others believe there is no reason to fear AI tools. As always, the truth lies somewhere in between. One of the most popular AI tools today is ChatGPT, which everyone can try out and see what it’s capable of, as we wrote in our recent Flash News. But why are the data protection authorities of European countries beginning to raise the alarm?
Technologies, especially artificial intelligence (AI), seem to be evolving faster than people are able to perceive their significance. This is still a hot topic not only in Hollywood but also in everyday life. AI tools are now being widely used by students and entrepreneurs who recognise potential uses of this technology. This growing interest has led to the creation of many tools of this kind, such as ChatGPT, Bing ChatGPT, Jasper, and Google Bard. This article explores the most popular and capable AI tool, ChatGPT, and its newest version, GPT-4, as well as looking at what it’s capable of doing and what its limitations are.
PwC US has carried out HR Tech Survey 2022. We believe that MindLink.lv subscribers, too, might be interested in its findings, as they relate to one of the traditional corporate processes – human resources (HR), or more precisely, investing in HR technologies. HR technologies in this article mean IT systems that enable the recording of HR processes, such as vacations, time sheets, training courses, hiring and firing. The survey interviewed 688 HR leaders, who answered questions about their technology challenges and achievements. The full survey is unfortunately restricted to the US market, but a summary offering many valuable insights is available here. This article explores what we see as key findings.
The Accounting Act and the Cabinet of Ministers’ Rule No. 877 came into force on 1 January 2022. Because no transition period is allowed for the new requirements, this article again highlights key changes affecting the CEO’s duties and responsibility for adopting control system rules that must be described in the company’s accounting policy.
We have spent the last year or so coming to terms with the Covid-19 pandemic, which has changed our daily lives beyond recognition. While we keep thinking mainly about the restrictions and outbreak statistics, it would be useful to figure out whether companies are now subject to a heightened risk of money laundering and terrorism and proliferation financing (“ML/TPF”) and whether the internal control systems set up by persons subject to the Anti Money Laundering and Counter Terrorism and Proliferation Financing Act are still as effective as they were before the pandemic.
The new era of digitalisation sees companies increasingly adopting new tools and automations to stay competitive in the marketplace. Yet before implementing any new tool or automation, the company needs to consider a great deal of factors that can affect or stop it from achieving the desired result. Those factors are unique for each company, line of business, and internal processes. Automations and new digital tools are not magic bullets and don’t bring e-happiness. Adopting each solution has its own criteria that must be met to maximise returns on the time and capital invested.
Growing companies tend to see an increase in the amount of documentation and financial accounting data they generate. While the concept of paperless accounting is improved by developers of technology solutions and by digital start-ups, it is implemented by each company individually to make its accounting more straightforward and efficient, allowing its stakeholders to handle its financial accounting data with ease.
Amid the international outbreak of COVID-19 and the resulting public uncertainty, we see that crime in general, including fraud, blackmail, money laundering and other economic crime, tends to grow. It basically makes sense to expect such activities from persons that have been involved in illegal activities and tried to exploit the weakest links of the existing legal framework and public order in their own interests. A similar illegal strategy is implemented in the present situation, in which people are focusing on other crucial and urgent issues and becoming less cautious or making rash decisions because of the emergency situation. Practice also suggests that the rising crime rates are directly linked to the circumstances caused by COVID-19.
Technology plays a huge role in many industries and particularly affects bookkeeping and financial accounting. Specialist digital skills and experience of working with state-of-the-art technological solutions as well as the skill of creating and developing digital tools are key to successful financial accounting and management in your company.
Paying Taxes 2020, an annual study of global tax administration produced by PwC and the World Bank Group, finds that economies around the world have made it substantially easier for their businesses to pay taxes thanks to technology. The report highlights the significant advantages that tax authorities give their taxpayers if they embrace technological advances. In Brazil and Vietnam, for example, the time it takes to comply with tax obligations fell by 23%, while some other countries reported a big drop in the number of tax payments.
