Today's Technology for Tomorrow's Firm.
Issue link: https://cpapracticeadvisor.epubxp.com/i/80319
What are some ways your company is helping firms go "paperless" and/or "green" in the last few years? Robert Baumann 34 Chief Architect – ProSystem fx SaaS, CCH, a Wolters Kluwer business Reno, Nevada CCH has been investing in paperless workflow solutions, and we've been work- ing hard to eliminate paper from key accounting pro- cesses. We've been looking closely at interactions be- tween accountants and their clients that still use paper, and what we can do to help improve those processes. Have you embraced cloud computing? CCH has continued to invest in and devel- op the ProSystem fx SaaS product, which allows our customers to work anywhere with an Internet connection. Over the next year, we'll be working to broaden the cus- tomer base for the SaaS solution and help professionals with their mobile needs. How is cloud computing changing the accounting profession, and how con- cerned are you with the security issues related to cloud computing? The cloud is enabling CPAs to be more efficient and spend more time with their clients, as well as collaborate with more people in their office. At CCH, we've been focused on providing solutions with world-class security built right in, so that their clients' data is held with the highest integrity. Hobbies: Cycling Homebrewing How mobile are you re- garding your work? How have mobile devices and apps impacted your pro- ductivity and work-life balance? I work out of my home of- fice, but I also travel quite a bit to meet and plan with product development teams, engage in customer meetings, and meet with our technology partners. Have you found business suc- cess via social media, either via recognizable ROI, new customers, marketing or networking? LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/rbaumann Education: M.S. Computer Science, California State University, Chico; B.S. Computer Science, Califor- nia State University, Chico We regularly scan social groups to look for areas where the CPAs current products aren't meeting their needs and where there might be ways to make their processes more efficient. This has led us at times to think about new directions that we can take our products and think about them in ways that wouldn't have been obvious otherwise. What ONE piece of technology could you absolutely not live without? I could not live without the telephone, because 90 percent of my work day is 42 | 2012 CPA Practice Advisor 40 Under 40 BACK TO PAGE 4 conducted via the phone. I spend a lot of time reading and responding to email, but on the phone through personal interaction is where I can really make things happen. NOT including your current employer, what company do you most admire and why? Microsoft has been building up to make some big moves in the last year, it's great to see them take some risks to innovate and move their products forward. What sports team/championship event do you absolutely refuse to miss? The World Series is a must-watch. What cell phone do you carry/use? I switched to an iPhone 4S just a few months ago after my Motorola Droid died. What is your favorite pro- fessional mobile app, and why? My favorite app is Concur Expense Reporting, which lets me complete expense reports with my iPhone or iPad, rather than sitting in front of my computer and scanning receipts after a trip. How many monitors do you have on your desk? I have a single monitor in addition to my laptop, as well as two tablets on my desk.