CPA Practice Advisor

40 UNDER 40 2012

Today's Technology for Tomorrow's Firm.

Issue link: https://cpapracticeadvisor.epubxp.com/i/80319

Contents of this Issue

Navigation

Page 37 of 48

How mobile are you regarding your work? How have mobile devices and apps impacted your productivity and work-life balance? Merrill J. Taylor CPA — 33 Tax Manager, Wisan, Smith, Racker & Prescott, LLP Salt Lake City, Utah I spend the majority of my work day in the office; however, I have become more flexible with the increase in technology of mobile devices. My smart- phone enables me to be in two places at once. If I am waiting for an email from a client, but I need to leave the office early for something, I know I can receive the email on my phone and then quick- ly respond. I also receive an email if some- one leaves me a voicemail, so I can imme- diately respond to any voicemails I receive while out of the office. This has become essential to me as I work with a number of international clients. Those clients are typically working when I am away from the office, so being able to quickly respond to any of their needs has helped me to bet- ter serve them as clients. What are some ways your firm has gone "paperless" and/or "green" in the last few years? Hobbies: Scuba Diving, Hiking, Backpacking, Family Our firm has implemented a paperless environment for tax preparation. When- ever we receive information from a client in the form of paper, we organize all of the paper and then submit it to our support staff for scanning. The support staff then scans the paper into a PDF file. The paper is then placed in an envelope to return to the client. We then use the PDF file to make any notes and all of the workpapers are referenced electronically. Once the returns have been prepared by a staff, a manager will review the return using the electronic workpapers. We have implemented an on- line portal to deliver tax returns electroni- cally to clients. The manager will print the return to the online portal queue and then let the partner know the return is ready for final review. Have you found business success via so- cial media, either via recognizable ROI, new customers, marketing or network- ing? I believe social media is going to be one of the main sources of marketing in the future. As more and more people be- gin using smartphones and tablets to stay connected, one of the best ways to reach people will be through social me- dia. I know several people that can only be contacted through social media. For me, LinkedIn has been a powerful tool to make contacts and keep in touch with my network. What tips on social media do you think are essential, but perhaps missed by professionals? Website: www.wsrp.com LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/pub/merrill-j-taylor-cpa/8/320/329 Education: MAcc, Tax, Brigham Young University; B.S. Accounting, Brigham Young University Professional Associations/Memberships: AICPA, UACPA, Salt Lake Estate Planning Council 38 | 2012 CPA Practice Advisor 40 Under 40 Get involved. I see some professionals that are so overwhelmed by social media that they sit on the sidelines and do noth- ing. I believe this is a huge mistake and something that holds people back from their potential. As the older genera- tion moves on and the younger generation moves up, social media is going to be one of the few means of reaching the younger gen- eration. If you are not in the social media space, your practice will become less and less relevant as time moves forward. BACK TO PAGE 4

Articles in this issue

Links on this page

Archives of this issue

view archives of CPA Practice Advisor - 40 UNDER 40 2012