Today's Technology for Tomorrow's Firm.
Issue link: https://cpapracticeadvisor.epubxp.com/i/160971
COVER STORY By Isaac O'Bannon, Editor In this photo from left to right: Kim Hogan, Shayna Chapman, CPA, and Michelle Golden. The Changing Face of Accounting and Technology F rom social media to value pricing, these women (Michelle Golden, President, Golden Practices, Inc.; Kim Hogan, Director, West Coast Operations, XCM Solutions, LLC; and Shayna Chapman, CPA CITP CGMA, Managing Member, Shaynaco, LLC) have each made a name for themselves by leveraging new avenues of communication, embracing cuting-edge technology and promoting forward-thinking business models for practitioners and clients. All three have been recognized by CPA Practice Advisor for their eforts in infuencing accounting professionals. We take an up-close and personal look at what they're doing to redefne the accounting community, overcome obstacles, and leave their marks on the rapidly evolving profession. Tey each have a unique style, bring their individual perspective, and serve the accounting profession in a diferent 6 capacity, but one thing that ties them together is their desire to change the profession for the beter. Collaboration, Community, Camaraderie In an ever-changing profession flled with new faces and emerging technology, professionals fnd that breaking down barriers between practitioners, vendors, and consultants is proving to be a win- September 2013 • www.CPAPracticeAdvisor.com win-win. KIM: In recent years there's been a paradigm shif between an industry divided and what we have today. Tere's a growing collaborative presence where technology vendors realize that peer-to-peer interaction is infnitely more valuable than advertising and self-promotion. Most of all, the emergence of social media has provided platforms for interaction across miles and organizations. Te reality that people want to do business with people that they like is more evident now than ever. Today's technology helps build trust, foster relationships, and form lasting bonds with fellow accounting colleagues in ways that just weren't possible fve or ten years ago. SHAYNA: In the past, we've each worked in our own little box and expected our counterparts to ft inside that box with us. This often led to frustration. Te sofware wasn't exactly how we wanted it. Te consultant is hard to communicate with. Te CPA refuses to be open to change. The dynamics have certainly evolved. Vendors aren't just people trying to sell you sofware anymore. Tey really are listening to your ideas. To make this noticeable, their sales people are