By Charles Hall | Technology
Do you ever need to convert and combine Word and Excel files into one PDF? With Adobe Acrobat DC you can do so. Here is a video demonstrating how you can convert different types of documents into one PDF.
By Charles Hall | Technology
Is a CPA’s office setup important? You bet.
Like you, I am continually looking for ways to be more productive. I buy books, watch videos, and take note of how others work.
I like to see the offices of other CPAs. Here’s mine.
Docking Station – I use a docking station that allows me to push one button to disconnect and place my laptop into a bag for travel. The docking station provides connectivity inputs behind my computer. Rather than disconnecting several wires to “set my computer free,” I push one button.
Multiple Monitors – I use multiple monitors. See how to review financial statements on computer screens.
50″ Monitor (on a swivel hinge) – This monitor is about two feet behind my desk. I use this screen as a fourth working monitor. For example, when I am reviewing financial statements, I sometimes place the balance sheet on the 50″ screen and a second copy of the financial statements on my lower center monitor. Then as I review the remainder of the statements (e.g., notes), I can glance at the balance sheet.
The 50″ monitor hangs from a swivel hinge. The swivel hinge allows me to tilt the screen in other directions when I am sharing information from my laptop with others in my office. We also use the monitor to watch webcasts.
Todoist Checklist – I place all my outstanding to-do items in Todoist. Since Todoist integrates with Outlook, I usually have Outlook docked on the 50″ monitor. With just a glance, I can quickly see what I need to complete. With one click, I can add a new to-do item. And the to-do items I add on my laptop show up on my iPad and iPhone Todoist apps (and vice versa)–this integration is why I started using Todoist.
Logitech Camera – I often have online meetings and share information on my computer screen with those I am speaking with (I use Zoom). This Logitech camera creates an excellent picture and sound so those I’m sharing with can see and hear me. Logitech C930e 960-000971 USB 2.0 1920 x 1080 Video Webcam
Bose Bluetooth Speaker – Music can make us more productive. And why not have quality sound? You spend such much of your waking day in your office. Bose SoundLink Mini Bluetooth Speaker II (Carbon)
iPhone on a Stand – Do you ever lay your phone down and later you can’t find it? (We used just to lose our keys, now it’s the phone and the keys.) This stand provides me with a consistent place for my phone. elago M2 Stand for all iphones, Galaxy and Smartphones (Angled Support for FaceTime), Black
Fujitsu ScanSnap iX500 Scanner – When I receive physical paper documents, my usual first step is to scan the paper and place it (the paper) in my shred box. I use this scanner several times a day. I like the scanner (but I have had problems with paper jams). Fujitsu ScanSnap iX500 Scanner for PC and Mac (PA03656-B005)
Deluxe Shred Box – My deluxe shred box is a box top. I know, sophisticated, huh?
Landline Phone – I keep my phone over on my side table to keep it off my main desktop.
HP Printer – Many CPAs use a central printer for several people but think about the cumulative time you waste walking to the printer. HP LaserJet P2035 Monochrome Printer (CE461A#ABA)
iPad – This is my favorite device. I use it mainly outside the office, but I place it on the corner of my desk, so I can quickly pick it up as I go out.
The Physical Library – I order most publications electronically, but for my physical books, I keep them handy here.
Adjustable Standup Desk – In my attempt to be a (little) more healthy, I bought this standup desk about three years ago. About once a day, I will print and stand while I review a set of financial statements–mainly to get my rear out of the chair. There has been a great deal of press lately about professionals (slowly) killing themselves by sitting too much. This desk does adjust down to the level of my main desktop, and it is mobile, so I use it–when I’m tired of standing–as an extension of my main desktop.
Paper-in Tray – I use a three-level tray for my incoming paper. The top shelf is for newly arrived paper information.
Corner Meeting Spot – I use this corner area as a place to meet with partners and staff, especially if they bring paper copies in to discuss.
Coffee Maker – This is probably the most important appliance in my office. No coffee, no Charles.
Whiteboard – If someone needs to draw an idea out, here’s the place. I sometimes take iPhone pictures of the information drawn on the board and then store it in Evernote.
Watercooler – Drinking plenty of water each day will enhance your stamina. You want to create energy that sustains you.
See what’s on my computer desktop for software ideas.
How would you change my office? What additional ideas would you add to these?
By Charles Hall | Technology
In this article, I provide you with four steps to delightful accounting presentations–even if you are a CPA. Yes, this can be done!
If you’ve read the book Presentation Zen, you know that many speakers–without intending to–hide their message. In watching CPE presentations and board presentations, I have noticed that (we) CPAs unwittingly hide our message. How? We present slide decks that look like intermediate accounting textbooks–chock full of facts, but too much to digest. And do we really believe that those attending will take those slides back to the office and study them?
Probably not.
My experience has been those slides end up in the office dungeon, never to be seen again. We have one chance to communicate–in the session.
It is the presenter’s duty to cause learning. So how can we engage our audience (even those sitting on the back row playing with their cell phones)? Let’s start with the slide deck.
Make simple slides.
I try to have no more than two points per slide, and I leave out references to professional standards (at least on the slides).
What happens when you see a slide that looks like it contains the whole of War and Peace? If you’re like me, you may think, “Are you kidding? You want me to consume all of that in the next three minutes. Forget it. I will not even try.” And then you begin to think about your golf game or your next vacation. So, how much information should you include on a slide?
Nancy Duarte recommends the glance test for each slide. “People should be able to comprehend it in three seconds.”
Include a picture.
For example, if I am presenting to auditors, I might display a picture of someone being bribed. Verbal information is remembered about ten percent of the time. If a picture is included, the figure goes up to sixty-five percent. Quite a difference.
Tell a story and ask questions.
People love stories. If your presentation is about bribes and you have not audited a bribery situation, Google bribes, and you will find all the stories you need. If you can’t find a story, use a hypothetical. Why? You are trying to draw your audience in–then maybe they will put that cell phone down (your most triumphant moment as a speaker!).
Telling your story at the right pace and volume are also important.
Also engage your audience with questions. Stories get the juices going; questions make them dig. And, if they answer you, there is dialog. And what’s the result? Those talking learn, the audience learns, and, yes, you learn.
Move. Not too much, but at least some.
A statue is not the desired effect. Moving like Michael Jackson is also not what you desire (moonwalking was never in my repertoire anyway). But movement, yes. I walk slowly from side to side (without moonwalking) and will, at times, move toward the audience when I want to make a point. So, am I constantly roaming? No. Balance is important.
Now, let me provide a few thoughts about presentation software and handouts.
Presentation Software
If you have an Apple computer, let me recommend Keynote as your presentation software. I do think PowerPoint (for you Windows users) has improved, but personally, I prefer Keynote.
Handouts
If you need to provide detailed information, give your participants handouts. I sometimes provide narrative summaries in addition to the slide deck. Then, if you like, refer your audience to the supporting material.
What do you do to make your presentations sizzle?
By Charles Hall | Technology
I’m always curious about what another golfer has in his or her bag. 60-degree wedge? Belly Putter? Callaway driver? You can tell a lot about a golfer by what he carries.
The same is true with, “what’s on a CPA’s computer desktop?” Our desktops say a great deal about how we think and get things done.
So, in the interest of sharing, here are some things on my desktop. Hopefully, you’ll see some ideas that you can use.
1. Checkpoint Tools for PPC.
With one click I can see all of the practice aids I’ve subscribed to, things like:
I also have access to PPC’s Interactive Disclosure Libraries. I use this to find sample note disclosures.
2. The peer review general audit engagement checklist.
With one click, I can see what the AICPA peer review checklist says about work papers. (There are many more peer review checklists, but this one provides a generic quick look.)
3. The most recent PPC disclosure checklist.
The checklist provides me with quick answers to disclosure questions.
4. TValue Link.
Need a loan amortization? It’s one click away.
5. Scansnap Organizer Link.
I keep a Fujitsu iX500 ScanSnap scanner on the corner of my desk. When paper arrives, I scan it and file it.
6. Link to Excel (in Windows toolbar).
One click to spreadsheets.
7. Link to Word (in Windows toolbar).
One click to documents.
8. Snipping Tool (accessed with Windows Start button)
I use the Windows snipping tool to capture anything on my screen quickly.
9. Link to Adobe Acrobat (in Windows toolbar).
How can one live without Adobe Acrobat? Scan and annotate your documents.
10. Link to Judy’s Tenkey (in Windows toolbar).
One click to my electronic adding machine.
11. Link to Evernote (in Windows toolbar).
One click to my personal digital library.
12. Link to Firefox (in Windows toolbar).
Yes, I’m a Firefox fan (I like it better than Explorer).
13. ShareFile icon (in Windows toolbar).
One click to secure file sharing.
14. Zoom icon (in Windows toolbar).
One click to conferencing software.
Finally, let me recommend Fences (by Stardock) for Windows-based systems. It allows you to group your desktop icons into one area of your screen (e.g., Research).
That’s what’s on my desktop. What about yours?
By Charles Hall | Technology
How can CPAs use the Evernote app on their iPhones? Evernote is one of the most valuable tools that an accountant or CPA can use. You just have to know what it can do and how to use it–and it’s not that hard (I promise).
Here’s an Evernote short-course. See the four videos below for demonstrations of how the iPhone Evernote app will work for you.
This video provides an overview of the Evernote app on an iPhone. You’ll see how easy it is to create and search notes.
For more information, see my post Evernote for CPAs. This post provides a printable summary of how you can create and use notes.
This video shows you how to add a new note to your Evernote library.
This video demonstrates how to add audio files or photographs to your Evernote library. You can start a new file in seconds. Click here to see how.
For additional tips regarding how to add new notes, see Seven Ways to Feed Evernote.
After you’ve used Evernote for a while, you may have several hundred files. Then you may find it more challenging to find the needle in the haystack. But Evernote provides a powerful search bar that enables you to find what you need.
Here are additional Tips on Searching Your Evernote Account.
You can download your Evernote iPhone app here.
