Cloud Computing: Putting the Cloud to Work Today

2013 California Accounting & Business Show & CPE Conference

June 3, 2013

Panelists

• Kasey Bayne, Director of Business Development, Kashoo

• Kirk Simpson, CEO, Wave Accounting• Jamie Sutherland, President, U.S. Operations,

Xero

Kasey Bayne - KashooKasey Bayne is the Director of Business Development at Kashoo. With a passion for accounting and in helping small businesses for over a decade, Kasey is dedicated to helping business owners with accounting technology. Kasey was awarded the CPA Practice Advisor Top 40 Under 40 award in 2011 and 2012, and also named one of AccountingToday's "Ones to Watch" in 2011 and 2012. KashooWith over 100,000 registered users in more than 180 countries, Kashoo is simple cloud accounting software for small business—on the web and on the App Store’s most downloaded accounting iPad app. The company was recently named the 2012 Startup of the Year by the British Columbia Technology Industry Association and was nominated a 2012 Small Business Influencer by Small Business Technology. Get started at http://kashoo.com or download the iPad app.

Kirk Simpson - WaveKirk is co-founder and CEO of Wave, one of the fastest-growing small business tools in the cloud. Before Wave, Kirk spent most of his career in digital media with some of Canada's largest media companies. Kirk has led Wave in its growth to over 600,000 small businesses using the platform, and almost $20 million in capital raised. Wave AccountingWave exists to liberate you and your small business with smart, integrated tools that save you time and money. With free tools including invoicing, accounting and receipt scanning and affordable payroll and credit card payment processing, Wave’s integrated small business apps help you run your business better.

Jamie Sutherland - XeroJamie has been running teams at both large corporations and early stage ventures for over 10 years. Before he joined Xero, Jamie ran a North American business unit of accounting software provider Sage. Under Jamie’s leadership, Sage grew to serve over 500,000 small business customers. XeroXero is the emerging leader in online accounting software, providing business owners with real-time visibility of their financial position in a way that’s simple, smart and secure. For advisors such as accountants and bookkeepers, Xero forges a trusted relationship with clients through online collaboration and gives them the opportunity to extend their services.

1. What Is the Cloud?

The user perspective

What are the main differences for the user?• Anywhere/anytime access• No upgrades/maintenance• Few or no compatibility issues• And more

The firm perspective

What are the main differences for the firm?• Subscription pricing• No servers• No upgrades or maintenance• And more

Where to startWhat cloud solutions have you implemented or do you plan to implement in your own firm?

2. What are the issues?What are your biggest technology challenges/concerns in the next 12 months?

Security concerns

• How secure is the data?• How portable is the data?• Who owns the data?• Seriously, how secure is the data?

Cover your basics

• SLAs and uptime guarantees• Security provisions• Type and location of server farms• Exit plans

Bringing clients along

What do you when you’re ready to move to the cloud, but your clients aren’t?• Education• Test cases• Fire those clients?

3. What are the benefits?What is your firm’s attitude toward the cloud?

(% responding)

Efficiency gainsWhat are the main reasons your firm is interested in the cloud?

(% responding)

New services• Client accounting services/outsourced CFO• Data analysis/business intelligence• Better integration with taxes, payroll, etc.• International services

Q&A