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Mobile & Remote Computing Case Studies
Thursday, December 6th 2007 at 2:00-3:30pm ET (11:00am-12:30pm PT)
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Hosted by:
Robert Gaby, CPA, CITP
Presented by:
John Seale, CPA, CITP; Barry MacQuarrie, CPA, CITP; & Jim Bourke, CPA, CITP
The convergence of inexpensive broadband connections, wireless technologies and browser-based applications is revolutionizing the way we work. Declining infrastructure costs have reduced overhead to the point that any organization, regardless of size or available resources can establish some level of mobile and remote computing (MRC) capability, and make critical business applications and information available to workers, clients and customers. As a result, business can be conducted anytime and anywhere an internet connection exists. Standard business hours no longer apply, employees have greater flexibility and control over work-life balance, customers have on-demand access to resources and information, and employers are realizing marketable gains in worker productivity and customer service.
No industry has more to gain from the mobile and remote computing revolution than the accounting profession, where a tight labor pool, an aging workforce, and the rigors of tax season have made recruitment, retention, succession planning and work-life balance formidable challenges. Progressive, forward-thinking firms have been able to leverage mobile and remote computing capabilities to successfully confront these issues and achieve substantial benefits, including:
· Enhanced productivity and efficiency through the expansion of the traditional 8 hour work day, and the minimization of down-time related to travel, out-of office engagements or personal circumstances
· Increased client satisfaction through client self-service and greater responsiveness to client concerns
· Improved employee work-life balance and morale through the extension of flexible work arrangements and other accommodations
· Improved recruitment efforts through the positioning of flexible work arrangements as an employee benefit, and
· Eased succession through the extension of alternative work arrangements such as job-sharing, part-time hours and remote options to valuable staff in the midst of life transitions such as parenthood, family illness, or pre-retirement
In this 2007 Top Technology Initiatives Web Seminar, Bob Gaby, CPA, CITP of Arxis Technology Group, Inc. introduces firm technology leaders John Seale, CPA, CITP; Barry MacQuarrie, CPA, CITP; and Jim Bourke, CPA, CITP, and moderates a discussion regarding how these innovative technology leaders have been able to leverage mobile and remote computing technologies to achieve substantial benefits for their firms. Topics of discussion include:
· Technologies driving the mobile & remote computing revolution
· Available mobile & remote computing solutions for firms of all sizes, and the rationale for choosing one over the other
· Mobile & remote security: Special HR and IT Policy considerations for the mobile & remote computing-enabled
· Opportunities to leverage mobile & remote computing capabilities to address business goals such as increased productivity and improved recruitment and retention efforts while enhancing work-life balance and client satisfaction
About the Moderator:
Robert Gaby, CPA, CITP
Principal
Arxis Financial, Inc. & Arxis Technology Group, Inc.
Robert Gaby, CPA, CITP is a Principal of Arxis Financial, Inc. and Arxis Technology Group, Inc. He has over 20 years of computer consulting and public accounting experience. Bob and his firm specialize in the implementation, integration and support of mid-market accounting and business management solutions and the development of custom applications for distribution, manufacturing and various service based industries.
Bob is a frequent speaker on technology issues and has written and taught courses on Microsoft Windows, information systems, accounting systems, office automation, wireless technology, security, database selection, network implementation and mobile technology. He is a Microsoft Certified Professional, qualified installer for several top-selling accounting systems and former chair of the California CPA Society State Technology Committee.
About the Presenters:
John Seale, CPA, CITP
Partner
RBSK Partners PC
John G. Seale, CPA.CITP is a partner of RBSK Partners PC, a CPA firm offering a blend of accounting, audit, tax and specialized advisory services. John specializes in delivering accounting, audit and tax services to individual and closely-held business clients in a variety of industries, including manufacturing, professional services, agriculture, warehousing, real estate and not-for-profits.
As Director of Accounting and Audit Services, John ensures compliance with guidelines and regulations issued by the accounting profession, the Federal Government and applicable state governments, and investment in the ongoing education of staff and clients to keep them current on accounting, audit and governmental compliance changes.
As the partner-in-charge of RBSK Partner’s Technology Consulting Department, John oversees a wide range of technology services including network services, system design, hardware procurement, security and a wireless ISP, as well as in-firm IT strategy, implementation and project management.
John is a member of the American Institute of CPAs, The Indiana CPA Society and The Ohio CPA Society. He currently sits on the AICPA Information Technology Executive Committee, and serves on the board of directors for MainSource Bank.
Barry MacQuarrie, CPA, CITP
Director of Technology
Kirkland Albrecht & Fredrickson, P.C.
Barry has over fifteen years of experience working with CPA firm technologies. He is the Director of Technology for Kirkland Albrecht & Fredrickson in Braintree, Massachusetts, and the Chief Information Officer of XCM Solutions, an affiliated company which provides workflow solutions for CPA firms.
Barry is a frequent speaker on the topics such as Paperless Office, Disaster Recovery Planning and CPA Firm Technologies for the AICPA, the MSCPA, CCH Incorporated, JHI and various CPA associations. He has been published in the AICPA InfoTech Update, the MSCPA SumNews and the JHI Review.
Barry currently serves on the AICPA’s Information Technology Executive Committee (ITEC) and is co-chair of the JHI’s Information Technology Committee. He is an active volunteer for the Coaching for Leadership and Training Program at Babson College, and a member of the Massachusetts Society of Certified Public Accountants, the Association for Accounting Administration and the Babson College Alumni Technology Council.
Jim Bourke, CPA, CITP
Shareholder and Director of Information Technology
WithumSmith+Brown
Jim Bourke is a Shareholder at WithumSmith+Brown and serves as Director of Firm Technology. In that capacity, he has the responsibility for overseeing all technology issues and operations for the Firm’s seven offices and over two hundred employees. Jim gives direction and vision to a group of talented internal technology professions whose job it is to keep the Firm functional 24/7. His responsibilities include overseeing network design and implementation, Internet connectivity solutions, wireless network configuration, technology strategic planning, and the acquisition, implementation new applications and technologies and related training. Jim is also responsible for the Firm’s annual technology budget.
Jim speaks frequently on technology-related topics and has consulted numerous CPA Firms throughout the United States on appropriateness of firm technologies. Jim has also authored many articles dealing with firm technology issues.
Jim is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and the New Jersey Society of CPAs (NJSCPA). He currently serves on the AICPA’s CITP Credential Committee and the Executive Committee for the New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants, where he is immediate-past president and is a member of the AICPA council Jim is also Past-Chairman of the NJSCPA Chapter Operations Committee, Past President of the Monmouth/Ocean Chapter of the NJSCPA, and has been featured on the covers of Accounting Technology and Practical Accountant Magazines.
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