Today's Technology for Tomorrow's Firm.
Issue link: https://cpapracticeadvisor.epubxp.com/i/40356
Kara R. Haas, CPA.CITP, CFE — 38 Owner — Kara R. Haas, CPA, P.A. Englewood, Florida Blog URL: http://deductme.com/blog Twitter ID: twitter.com/deductme Education: Marquette University — B.A. Spanish and International Affairs, Marquette University — M.S.A. (Master of Science in Accountancy) Professional Associations/Memberships: AICPA, FICPA, ACFE Hobbies: Reading, Writing, Golf, Running, Traveling to all of the great cities my friends have settled Are you using social networking (such as Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Google+) as a marketing tool for your practice … or do you use such sites for personal use only? Have you gained any clients or seen other demonstrable benefits from the use of social networking? I utilize all mediums. I have both personal and business accounts on Facebook and Twitter. Twitter is where I find the most engaging conversations, relationships and is the area I believe I have the most ROI. Anytime I ask a question, twitter seems to be where I have the most response. What pitfalls or what unwritten rules of social networking eti- quette exist, which are frequently missed by others in the profes- sion? Often, too many professionals look to transport traditional, guerilla marketing techniques into this medium rather than taking the time to engage. LinkedIn – I still see too many professionals connecting for the sole purpose of obtaining a 'list' to implement old cold call techniques. Rather than quality engagement, I see people falling into the pitfall of achieving quantity. What ONE piece of technology could you absolutely not live without? iPad2 – it's mobile and versatile, and I can access everything I need from it. What are some ways your firm/business has gone "paperless" and/or "green" in the last two years? Utilizing key pieces of hardware: ScanSnap Fujitsu Personal S1300 and the ScanSnap S1100 Mobile Scanners. Implementation of SaaS-based products such as Xero that rely on bank feeds and importing of data to eliminate the need for exchanging traditional bank and credit card state- ments. LeapFILE portals and Dropbox for exchange of data. Do you embrace cloud computing? Xero, Vend, LogMeIn for access of desktop products. I no longer accept clients in desktop products. How is cloud computing changing the accounting profession, and how con- cerned are you with the security issues related to cloud computing? Cloud computing is changing the accounting profession by reducing time spent on traditional bookkeeping and acquisition of source documents, allowing for more time on analysis and con- sulting. Paying close attention to the quality of vendors and their approach to security is critical in selecting the proper solutions. Do you foresee the majority of firms still implementing servers for the majority of their computing in their offices five years from now or do you think they will be outsourcing this component to vendors who specialize in this area? I see the majority of firms outsourcing this aspect of their business to firms that specialize. I believe this to be true, as vendors will reduce time and liability with the upkeep. I foresee users driving some practitioners, as they demand more Cloud/SaaS-based tools and access. NOT including your current employer, what company do you most admire and why? I most admire Vend Point of Sale (vendhq.com). This company is comprised of some of the most dedicated individuals I've had the pleasure of knowing. The team is transparent in their support forums, receptive to suggestions, and continu- ously striving to implement updates and features to meet the needs of users. What sports team/championship event do you absolutely refuse to miss? Marquette Basketball and the NCAA Basketball Tournament. What are some of your favorite books, movies and TV shows? Favorite TV Shows: I love USA Network Original Series. In Plain Sight would be my favorite. Movies: Christopher Guest Movies, Charlie Wilson's War and The Other Guys. Books: Jonathan Tropper and Laurie Notaro. Cell phone: BlackBerry under duress, as it is part of my family's plan. I only use it for phone and text. What is your favorite smartphone or tablet app? iPad2 with 3G service. It works and integrates well with my Mac machines. How many monitors do you have on your desk? One 27-inch iMac and my iPad2 Other than SMS on your cell phone, what is your favorite way to IM with your friends and family? Skype 33 Back to Contents Page 3