Today's Technology for Tomorrow's Firm.
Issue link: https://cpapracticeadvisor.epubxp.com/i/80319
latest community service project with our customers on our Facebook page, Crosslin & Associates is quickly learning how to make social media work to our advan- tage. It is a growing business tool that we continue to explore, specifically in the areas of marketing and networking. What tips on social media do you think are essential, but perhaps missed by professionals? The biggest piece of advice I give our newest profes- sionals about social media is be aware of what you are sharing. Often times, when we interview candidates, we take a look at the social media universe and find information that candidate has shared with the public that may shed an unfavorable light on their character. It can be the deciding factor on whether an employer chooses you for the position, or a customer chooses you for their work. It is important to always be profes- sional on social media, even when you frequently use it for personal reasons. Have you embraced cloud computing for your prac- tice? Are you moving your clients to the cloud? Yes, in an effort to make serving our customers an easier and more readily available process for our team members, we have embraced cloud computing. It al- lows our team members to access customer and other work-related information on demand, which is a must- have in our profession. Our customer information is currently available to our team on a private cloud, so the firm can manage the information internally, thereby allowing us to personally protect our customer data. How is cloud computing changing the accounting profession, and how concerned are you with the security issues related to cloud computing? As with other technology, cloud computing has dra- matically changed the accounting profession, provid- ing additional mobility in an extremely mobile world. However, our firm continues to have security concerns regarding a public cloud, which restricts the ability of our firm to protect our data. We currently have chosen to utilize a private cloud, which allows us to manage the protection of our confidential data. Our firm felt more comfortable with keeping confidential data on our own private network, while still promoting and encouraging the mobility of cloud computing with our team. As a qualified security assessor (QSA), our firm is constantly monitoring the various security issues surrounding cloud com- puting. What ONE piece of technology could you absolutely not live without? There are several pieces of tech- nology that make my life easier on a daily basis, but the one thing that truly has benefited me the most is our firm's virtual private network (VPN). Being able to access my entire work product electronically and remotely allows me to work wherever and whenever I need. I am more ef- ficient and satisfied in my career because of this piece of technology. A close second would be my Apple iPhone. NOT including your current employer, what compa- ny do you most admire and why? Disney, because of the smile their products bring to my children's faces. And they know how to run a busi- ness pretty well, too What sports team/championship event do you abso- lutely refuse to miss? By far, my favorite sport is college basketball. March Madness provides a sports rush that carries me throughout the year. During the month of March, you 27 | 2012 CPA Practice Advisor 40 Under 40 BACK TO PAGE 4 will not catch me without the tournament bracket! A native Nashvillian and Vanderbilt MBA graduate, I am a huge Vanderbilt Commodores fan. I have had sea- son tickets since I was a child and rarely miss a game. I also attend the SEC tournament as often as I can and have been fortunate enough to attend several games of NCAA tournaments throughout the years. Though I never played competitively, basketball is definitely in my blood and I hope to share my love of the sport with my children. What cell phone do you carry/use? Apple iPhone – a much- needed part of my life. Do you have a tablet? Yes, an iPad. What is your favorite professional mo- bile app, and why? LinkedIn is the professional mobile app I use the most because it allows me to make business connections through mutu- al relationships that I might not have other- wise had the opportunity to make. How many monitors do you have on your desk? Two Do you have children? If so, how many, and what ages? Yes, of which I'm extremely proud. My wife, Nikki, and I have four children – three girls and a boy. Chloe, 6; Maggie, 4; Sophie, 3; and John, 10 months.