Today's Technology for Tomorrow's Firm.
Issue link: https://cpapracticeadvisor.epubxp.com/i/80319
What are some ways your firm has gone "paperless" and/or "green" in the last few years? Chris Farmand CPA.CITP, MBA — 33 Energy Farmer, Chris Farmand + Company Jacksonville, Florida Since last year we are encouraging more and more electronic commu- nication with our customers. Email, portal delivery, hosted accounting solutions, to name a few. If the customer has not yet embraced electronic com- munication, we are educating them on the benefits of it. Have you embraced cloud computing for your prac- tice? Are you moving your clients to the cloud? offer hosting for our customers' account- ing software. This accomplishes two things: 1. introduces them to the cloud and 2. gives us real time access to the accounting records. It's a win-win for all. Hobbies: Swimming, Cycling, Running: in that order, Camping, Cooking Our office solutions are now 100 percent virtual. Prior to this we were a hybrid, some applications were in the cloud and others were hosted locally. I was fed up with be- ing able to access only 70 percent of my office "on the go." We are encouraging our customers to join us in the cloud. We Website: www.cfarmand.com Blog: www.apr16.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/chris.farmand Twitter: www.twitter.com/farmand_cpa LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/chris-farmand-cpa-citp/9/43a/29b Education: University of Florida: BA Food & Resource Economics; University of North Florida: BA Ac- counting; University of North Florida: MBA Professional Associations/Memberships: AICPA, FICPA How is cloud computing changing the accounting profession, and how con- cerned are you with the security issues related to cloud computing? First, it lowers the barrier to entry. Managed service providers (MSP) can en- able small offices (even sole practitioner) the luxury of working on the latest and greatest hardware. Second, it allows us to work from anywhere there is an active Internet connection. Access to office tools from anywhere is the minimum standard these days. Third, it just works. Regarding se- curity, the support I get from my hosting company would require me to hire a full time IT person, but since moving to the cloud I have essentially hired an IT depart- ment servicing hundreds of companies worldwide. My data is getting the same care as the regional engineering firm in Atlanta. My security concerns are far less with this setup, rather when the servers were in-house. What tips on social media do you think are essential, but perhaps missed by professionals? The biggest pitfall I encounter is profes- sionals not embracing it. I learned to use 12 | 2012 CPA Practice Advisor 40 Under 40 BACK TO PAGE 3 social media by embracing it and correct- ing my mistakes. Social media is becoming more accepted in the accounting industry as a tool for collaboration and learning. In most outlets, information is shared so fast readers have little time stew over silly updates or comments. The more risk you take with social media the greater the reward. What ONE piece of technology could you absolutely not live without? My cell phone. The darn thing is so good, it scared me. It gives me access to the information I need. NOT including your current employer, what company do you most admire and why? MTA Optima and its founder Matthew Tol. Matthew has developed an amazing culture at this Australian based accounting firm. In my opinion, he has redefined the definition of autonomy in the workplace. Each team member is so invested in the cause, it all gets done. What sports team/championship event do you absolutely refuse to miss? Florida Gator Football, USA Swimming. What is your favorite professional mo- bile app, and why? Shoeboxed app. Click a picture of the receipt with-in the app and off it goes into the cloud. Next time you log in, it is wait- ing for proper categorization.