Today's Technology for Tomorrow's Firm.
Issue link: https://cpapracticeadvisor.epubxp.com/i/80319
What are some ways your company is helping professionals go "paperless" and/ or "green" in the last few years? Kim Hogan ECMp, CAPTUREp — 29 Director of West Coast Operations, XCM Solutions, LLC/ Xpitax, LLC Irvine, California Having just recently joined XCM, I am thrilled to see that we actually practice what we preach. We have automated processes across our organization by implementing cloud solutions (including Bill.com and of course, our own XCM enterprise workflow application) for sales, marketing, and client services. These tools enable our manage- ment team to keep a pulse on everything that happens internally for both our XCM and Xpitax businesses. More importantly, automating the workflow process for a firm can really be that first step toward a more productive paperless office, so by nature, we are continuously helping our clients go paperless. We place a high value on enabling them to achieve their goals by providing training and consulting to educate them on maximizing the technol- ogy investments they've made to achieve a digital workflow in all areas of the firm. How is cloud computing changing the ac- counting profession, and how concerned are you with the security issues related to cloud computing? I think it's safe to say that the cloud has already changed the accounting profession. From here on out, it's more about keep- ing up with the changes that have already taken place - and leveraging cloud and SaaS technologies to attract new talent internally as well as clients who are looking for a bet- ter experience. It wasn't too long ago that "BlackBerry" was not a household name, CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE which meant that we all had to be sitting at a desk in front of a computer in order to serve our clients. While the new genera- tion of accountants are rebelling against such the thought of being chained to an office, the only reason they are able to be successful is because they're will- ing to utilize the cloud to provide them with access whenever (and wherever) they need it. The change I've seen first-hand over the past five years in the industry has been eye opening, and I feel that these days security seems to be less and less of a concern the more education there is about the cloud overall. How mobile are you regarding your work? How have mobile de- vices and apps impact- ed your productivity and work-life balance? Hobbies: I'm a self-proclaimed XCM is headquartered in Braintree, MA – and I live and work in Or- ange County, CA… that means I spend very little time in our office. Between traveling for conferences as well as time on the road workaholic, but with a job that I'm so passionate about, that has become a hobby in and of itself. I have an addiction to the gym, and can't seem to stay away (maybe it's because I have an amazing gym buddy). I also have one of the largest known accounting industry shoe collections, which keeps me occupied in my free time. I've succumbed to the Pinterest craze, and love cooking up some of the recipes I find there. When I'm not 30,000 feet up in the air for work, I try my best to sneak away to Palm Springs (only a 90-minute drive) for some R & R without the need for a TSA pat down. visiting accounting firms, I rely on my cloud/ mobile applications to power me through the day – if it wasn't for these technolo- gies, I might not ever get any sleep. As for work-life balance, that's always delicate. I tend to be glued to my devices seven days a week, and have to really make an effort to "turn off work" every now and then, which helps me to be more productive when I pick it back up again. Have you found busi- ness success via social media, either via recog- nizable ROI, new cus- tomers, marketing or networking? Absolutely. I may have just put the life test on this one as I came on- board at XCM Solutions. Anytime someone leaves an organization, there is that helpless feeling of "what about all my contacts?" Social media has completely solved that problem for profes- sionals and enables us to build a network that fol- lows us vs. one that stays with any company. Fun- ny story, it wasn't a press release or an announcement on CPAPA that tipped people off about my recent transition 33 | 2012 CPA Practice Advisor 40 Under 40 BACK TO PAGE 4