Today's Technology for Tomorrow's Firm.
Issue link: https://cpapracticeadvisor.epubxp.com/i/80319
How is cloud computing changing the accounting profession, and how con- cerned are you with the security issues related to cloud computing? Byron K. Patrick CPA.CITP, CGMA, MCSE — 35 Co-founder, Simplified Innovations Inc. Baltimore, Maryland The cloud is changing the profession significantly. By enabling people to easily work from remote locations employers are able to keep staff that move away and even hire talent that isn't local to them. In addition CPAs are able to better service their clients and their employers by le- veraging tools in the cloud and being on the forefront of using those tools. I'm always impressed with how far ahead the CPA profession is, in implementing and discussing cloud technologies. Website: cpa.simplifiedinnovations.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/simplifiedinnovations Twitter: www.twitter.com/Byron_cpa LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/simplified-innovations-inc Education: BS in Accounting from Salisbury State University Professional Associations/Memberships: Maryland Association of CPA's (MACPA) Board of Directors; MACPA Executive Com- mittee, Chair-Elect; MACPA Technology Committee; MACPA New/Young Professional Network, Past Chair and Co-founder; MACPA Tomorrow's CPA Speaker; MACPA Instruc- tor; AICPA Council; AICPA Information Technology Executive Committee for 2009-2011; AICPA CPA Ambassador; AICPA Virtual Grass Roots Committee; Boomer Knowledge Network – Contributor How mobile are you regarding your work? How have mobile devices and apps impacted your productivity and work-life balance? Hobbies: Coaching Women's Lacrosse, an occasional round of Golf, Photography, spending time with my daughters Every day is a mobile day. Between my laptop, iPad and iPhone, I am using a mobile device though out my day. Have you found business success via social media, ei- ther via recognizable ROI, new customers, marketing or networking? We have definitely found success in so many ways. First, I have built a network of people I trust that I never would have met otherwise. The power of social media is awesome. In addition I have been able to create a brand awareness that would have been very difficult to do without social media. The amazing part of it is I don't have to invest a lot of time into social media, yet I have been able to gain so much value in so many aspects of both my professional career and my business. What tips on social media do you think are essential, but perhaps missed by professionals? Don't treat it like a chore! All too often people view social media as a task that has to be done. They see it as a one-way form of communication and that is why it's just a chore. Social media is "social," therefore it is a two-way form of commu- nication. You need to both get from it and give to it to truly see the value. What ONE piece of technology could you absolutely not live without? I've said the same thing for a number of years and it still hasn't changed. The Inter- net!! It empowers everything I do. Now, more than ever, because so much of my life is in the Cloud I have to have internet to get to it. It doesn't matter the device, just the path. That being said, it would be a sad day to not have my iPhone. What sports team/championship event do you absolutely refuse to miss? Anything my daughters are participating in, College Men's and Women's Lacrosse, SuperBowl, X-Games and the Olympics. What is your favorite professional mobile app, and why? Businesswise, it is the Citrix Receiver app fol- lowed by the GoToAssist app, both extremely useful! For fun, I love Fruit Ninja on the iPad; it's a great way to relieve some stress. On my iPhone, I'm a fan of Pandora for my music and Top Gear Revolution for gaming. 10 | 2012 CPA Practice Advisor 40 Under 40 BACK TO PAGE 3