Today's Technology for Tomorrow's Firm.
Issue link: https://cpapracticeadvisor.epubxp.com/i/80319
How is cloud computing changing the accounting profession, and how con- cerned are you with the security issues related to cloud computing? Jennifer Warawa 36 Vice President of Partner Programs & Channel Sales, Sage North America Lawrenceville, Georgia Cloud computing is profoundly impacting not just the accounting pro- fession, but every profession. Perhaps most importantly, it's making it easier for ac- countants to stay connected with and service their clients. Of course there are security issues with cloud computing, but the same can be said for on-premise solutions, which in some cases leave them open to even greater risk. Data stored in the cloud is as safe- if not safer- than data living in your office. How mobile are you regarding your work? How have mobile devices and apps impacted your productivity and work-life balance? I am extremely mobile with my work. My Blog: www.jenniferwarawa.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/#!/jennifer.warawa Twitter: www.twitter.com/jenniferwarawa LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferwarawa Education: Okanagan University College, 1997; Harvard Business School Executive Education, 2012 Professional Associations/Memberships: Active volunteer and member of the ITA (Information Technology Alliance) Hobbies: Working with and mentoring youth, public speaking, reading and working iPhone, iPad and Android are never far away from reach, which definitely helps keep me connected with work and my personal life. I travel a lot for work and all my family lives in Canada, so in addition to all the work benefits, mobile devices play an important role in my ability to keep in touch with my friends and family. Mobility plays such a significant role in acces- sibility, and this accessibility has allowed me to be more responsive and better con- nected in both my work and personal life. Have you found business success via social media, either via recog- nizable ROI, new customers, marketing or networking? Yes, I continue to find a lot of value and business success in social media. I can stay plugged in with our current custom- ers, interact with potential customers, and network and connect with people I would never have the chance to interact with if it wasn't for social media. What tips on social media do you think are essential, but perhaps missed by professionals? First, I think it is critical for people to un- derstand that what is shared on social me- dia stays on social media. Make sure what you share and say today is something you won't mind people seeing five, 10 or even 20 years from now. Second, I'll quote Nike and say "just do it". Although the benefits of social media can sometimes be difficult to articulate, once you get started you just get it. NOT including your current employer, what company do you most admire and why? One company I really admire is Zappos. Similar to Sage, they are a customer- focused company and are committed to continuous improvement in the way they serve their customers. I love the 10 "Zap- pos Family Core Values" with number one being "Deliver WOW Through Service." They further explain this by saying, "At Zappos, anything worth doing is worth doing with WOW," and this isn't limited to just their customers, but they also seek to WOW Zappos colleagues, vendors, part- ners and in the long run, their investors. What sports team/ championship event do you absolutely refuse to miss? Being from Canada, I'm still a hockey fan so I would have to say the Stanley Cup Finals are a "must see" for me. What is your favor- ite professional mobile app, and why? My favorite professional apps would have to be Hootsuite to manage my social me- dia, TripIt to manage all my travel book- ings and Evernote for various lists and document management. 22 | 2012 CPA Practice Advisor 40 Under 40 BACK TO PAGE 4