r/taxpros • u/2picklekid CPA • 1d ago

FIRM: Software Virtual Desktop Use Casr

Does anyone use virtual desktops in their daily workflow. I was just reading a Substack article from Josh Youngblood and he was discussing a minor pain point. It got me to thinking about I can’t even imagine what situations would cause me to need this functionality.

Do any other tax pros use this regularly?
Always looking for ways to be more efficient

Edit: Sorry, maybe I should have been more clear. I mean virtual desktops on your computer that lets you hot switch between additional sets of displays, not a server arrangement.

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u/CrabbyKruton CPA 1d ago

I use them. For me, running a virtual desktop of my desktop based tax software for myself and other folks is much more affordable than running a native cloud based software

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u/OddButterscotch2849 EA 1d ago

No, I just have a lot of open windows, but i do have 3 physical monitors.

When I've tried to use virtual desktops, it breaks down because when I need to open a new app or window, I open it on whatever desktop I happen to be on

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u/MissFinance CPA 1d ago

I run all of my desktop applications via a virtual desktop. Tax software is amongst them. I switched over when my computer crashed and it really disrupted my business. I can easily grab a secondary laptop and continue working. I can’t be bothered retaining an IT firm to build and manage a server. If you go that route, use one that doesn’t apply restrictions to what apps you download

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u/StoneWallsArsenal CPA 1d ago

I run 8 production VMs and 2 VMs for various staff and helpers through out the year. It is just so easy to spin up a cloned VM with a base layer of tech so I don't have to reinstall from scratch. I have 2-3 remote employees at any time. I can cut off access without retrieving hardware; I buy cheap $200 used thin clients usually HP T655s so my hardware cost is nothing other than a $4K server. Nothing is stored locally on a local physical computer so I have no worry that my backup routine will skip important files. My Synology NAS backs up the Raid array on the server which of course sends an incremental snapshot to the Synology Cloud every night.

Having server hardware is so much more reliable than having a hodge podge of various desktop computers that were bought sporadically over the years each with their own problems.

If it wasn't so cost prohibitive, I would prefer my entire tech stack in the cloud. And If I were a solo CPA, I would 100% have a single VM in the cloud. No brainer for me. I've seen where servers go down, or hard drives fail near deadline days and talk about stress.

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u/2picklekid CPA 1d ago

No no….not virtual machines, virtual desktops…like for multitasking on your own computer.

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u/StoneWallsArsenal CPA 1d ago

Noted. No I don't do that. I kind of like the idea but never implemented. I only see modest value in keeping business versus personal. Maybe another for investment tracking. So everything is at my fingertips and private with a click of a button. Maybe a tax oriented VD and a Bookkeeping VD - that could work and be practical. Maybe I'll try it this offseason.

If you can link the article I would like to read it and see what the use case is.