Jason Bainter, CPA — 34
Supervisor, Construction & A/E Team, Somerset CPAs, PC
Indianapolis, IN
Education: MBA with concentration in finance, Butler University; Bachelor of Science in Accounting, Indiana University
Professional Associations/Memberships: Indiana CPA Society, AICPA
Civic Involvement: Indiana CPA Society’s CPA Day of Service, Emerging Leaders Alliance, Emerging Leaders Alliance Government Task Force, Indiana CPA Society’s Leadership Cabinet, Case Study Competition Committee member and judge, Black Expo volunteer – Indiana CPA Society booth, Fishers Freedom Festival – Indiana CPA Society booth, Treasurer of Drug Free Marion County, Faith and Finance Committee at Grace Community Church, Construction Financial Management Association’s Habitat for Humanity build day, Rebuilding Together Indianapolis
Hobbies: Weightlifting, camping, family activities
Cell phone: Blackberry Pearl
Favorite app: Google Maps. It is awesome to have a navigation system on the phone without having to purchase an external one.
What are some ways your firm/business has gone “paperless” and/or “green” in the last two years?
At Somerset CPAs, we have gone “paperless” and “green” in many ways:
- We electronically scan all individual tax return supporting documentation and save electronic files only.
- We e-file as many tax returns as possible
- All compliance work is prepared in our paperless software system so there is no paper documentation needed.
- We shred and recycle every piece of paper that is not needed so that the paper can be reused.
- All computers are turned off at the end of the work day in order to conserve energy.
- The building in which Somerset CPAs leases its office space was designated LEED Silver in 2009.
- Dual monitors for staff eliminate the need for printed reference documents.
- Our bill managers do their billing on-screen, eliminating the need to print anything but the final invoice (if it’s mailed) on paper.
- We e-mail many of our invoices directly to the client, eliminating paper and postage.
- We provide filtered water in our kitchens to eliminate need for bottled water.
- Recycling containers for cans, glass and plastic are provided in our kitchens.
- Toner and print cartridges are recycled.
- Marketing newsletters to clients and prospects have been converted to e-newsletters.
- Seminar invitations to clients and prospects are sent via e-mail.
- Most research is completed via web/online methods, eliminating many publications previously ordered and stored in the firm resource center.
- The firm provides a vehicle for business use to encourage carpooling to client locations and firm functions.
- We work with a local not-for-profit called Virtual Scavengers and donate all our used computers and other electronics to their “Geeks R Us” program, which keeps it out of landfill. The equipment gets reused, refurbished or goes to students who use the parts for everything from jewelry to art objects to clocks and GPS systems, even a robot.
How many hours of the day are you plugged in and responsive to client needs? And what tools/products make it possible for you to have flexibility?
I am plugged in approximately 16 hours a day, if not more, as I have a BlackBerry that is linked directly to the firm’s e-mail system, allowing me to receive and respond to constantly respond to emails from clients. Somerset CPAs has also provided Internet access through Citrix, allowing me the ability to work from my home computer and remotely gain access to my business desktop and company’s network any time that I need it. I also have a laptop with a wireless card that allows me to access client information at any time through Virtual Office or through Citrix.
Are you using social networking (such as Twitter, LinkedIn, Plaxo, Facebook) as a marketing tool for your practice/business … or do you use such sites for personal use only? Have you gained any clients or seen other demonstrable benefits from the use of social networking?
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