SOCIAL MEDIA FOR ACCOUNTANTS
NOTES FROM JUNE 18, 2009 PRESENTATION TO ICABC
NEW VANCOUVER CONVENTION CENTRE
ADVANCED INTERNET RESEARCH TECHNIQUES FOR ACCOUNTANTS
SELECTED NOTES FROM JUNE 19, 2009 PRESENTATION TO CGA-ALBERTA
STONEY NAKODA RESORT, KANANASKIS, ALBERTA
SOCIAL MEDIA FOR ACCOUNTANTS
NOTES FROM JUNE 19, 2009 PRESENTATION TO CGA-ALBERTA
STONEY NAKODA RESORT, KANANASKIS, ALBERTA
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Friday, May 15, 2009
Garrett Wasny Clients
Since 1995, Garrett has developed and delivered more than 600 professional development events to hundreds of private and public sector organizations across North America and Europe.
PAST CLIENTS
• Institute of Chartered Accountants of British Columbia
• Institute of Chartered Accountants of Alberta
• Institute of Chartered Accountants of Manitoba• Association of Women in Finance
• Certified General Accountants of British Columbia
• Certified General Accountants of Alberta
• CPELink
• Arizona Society of Certified Public Accountants• Florida Institute of CPAs
• Indiana CPA Society
• Public Accountants Association of Kansas
• Utah Association of Certified Public Accountants
• Accountants Society of Virginia
• Wisconsin Institute of Certified Public Accountants
• Canadian Association of Management Consultants
• British Columbia Human Resources Management Association
• Association of UBC Administration and Professional Staff
• Invest Kelowna Economic Development Commission
• Enterprise Fredericton
• Davis LLP
• Canadian Council for Small Business and Entrepreneurship
• Canadian Association of Independent Schools
• Hawaii Tropical Flower Council
• North American Farmers Direct Marketing Association (NAFDMA)
• North American Small Business International Trade Educators (NASBITE)
• American Electronics Association
• Center for International Trade
• California-Mexico Trade Association Center
• Los Angeles Trade Tech
• Milwaukee World Trade Association
• Trade Compass
• Internet World New York
• Internet World Chicago
• Internet World Oslo
• Sauder School of Business
• New Brunswick Wood Products Group
• Forum For International Trade Training (FITT)
• Women’s Enterprise Society
• British Columbia Institute of Technology
• Farm Credit Corporation
• Vancouver Board of Trade
• Vancouver Economic Development Commission
• e-Business Commerce Centre
(and hundreds more …)
Thursday, May 14, 2009
First CPELink Webcast | May 12, 2009
By Garrett Wasny, MA, CMC, CITP | May 14, 2009On May 12, 2009, I delivered my first ever pay-per-view webinar, and what a terrific experience it was!
I teamed up with Erhan Aksoy and Sue Anderson from CPELink, a California-based learning company that provides web-based continuing professional education (CPE) for accounting and financial professionals.
Erhan and Sue were superb in promoting the online event and arranging all the technical details of the webcast.
Between 9:00 am (PST) and 1:00 pm (PST), I presented my Advanced Internet Research Techniques seminar to 50 or so CPAs from the following organizations:
- Arizona Society of Certified Public Accountants
- Florida Institute of CPAs
- Indiana CPA Society
- Public Accountants Association of Kansas
- Utah Association of Certified Public Accountants
- Accountants Society of Virginia
- Wisconsin Institute of Certified Public Accountants
The feedback to date far has been fantastic ... but don't take my word for it.
Here's what participants wrote in their evaluation of the webcast and their rating of the instructor (me!):
Garrett Wasny
Knowledge of Subject : 4.8 (out of 5)
Effective Presentation Skills : 4.2
Quality/Accuracy of Course Materials : 4.5
Relevance of Course Materials : 4.5
- "This was the best on-line CPE session, I have every taken. The instructor was high energy, interactive, and relevant."
- "This was a great class, I learned exactly what I was hoping to learn and more. Thanks!"
- "A great presentation. A great topic of interest and timely presented."
- "Very passionate about the internet. Interesting facts and videos were appreciated."
- "Very good presentation. Garrett kept it very interesting!"
- "This was a fabulous seminar."
- "It's always enjoyable listening to an instructor who's passionate about the subject matter."
- "This was one of he best and most relevant webinars someone can take. The presenter was passionate, interesting, and extremely knowledgeable. I learned so very much that I can take away and start using immediately!"
- "Very informative and interesting. Great presentation. Good pace, and best class I have had at CPElink so far!!!"
Wow! A million thanks to all the attendees for your kind words. MUCH appreciated!
After this great response, Erhan and Sue at CPELink and I have decided to schedule more online seminars on the following dates:
May 27 | Open Source Business Tools for Accountants
July 1 | Social Media for Accountants
August 13 | Advanced Internet Research Techniques for Accountants
August 25 | Google Productivity Tools for Accountants
I invite all of you to participate in these upcoming sessions! I guarantee you'll learn hundreds of web productivity tips and techniques that you can put to work instantly in your professional and personal life. Plus, you'll get four hours of CPE credit.
How cool is that?
Talk soon.
Garrett Wasny
Wednesday, May 06, 2009
Accounting Online Video Awards: The Best CPA, CA and Professional Accountant Videos on YouTube
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By Garrett Wasny, MA, CMC, CITPWho says accountants aren't cool?
From Hong Kong to Dublin and Los Angeles to Sydney, accountants the world over are producing more than financial statements.
A new generation of audit auteurs have emerged that give a whole new meaning to "creative accounting." Number-crunchers of all ages are shouting "lights, camera, action" and producing a growing archive of web video classics.
To celebrate these outstanding video achievements, I've launched the Accounting Online Video Awards.
Key considerations:
SELECTING THE FINALISTS. Over three months, I searched for and reviewed scores of accounting-related videos on YouTube and other video-sharing websites. From this screening process, I selected 25 finalists based on four criteria:
- Accounting content. The videos had to focus on accounting or involve accountants in some way.
- Originality: The videos had to avoid clichés and provide some new idea or fresh perspective. An authentic voice – not put-on or mocking – was preferred.
- Storytelling: The video had to build on that idea or perspective and tell a story or deliver a message in a clear and compelling way.
- Production values: While no one expects (or even wants) Hollywood-style production values on a YouTube video, the web movie needed to demonstrate at least a minimal technical standard. Videso with a stable (not shaky) picture and clean audio were preferred and ranked highest. Among the finalists, production quality ranged from big-budget ad agency extravaganzas to "let's turn on the camcorder and see what happens" vid-fests. In the right hands, both approaches were effective.
- Brand awareness. Web videos that market an accounting industry association or designation.
- Student recruitment. Web videos that promote an accounting career to students.
- Music. Web videos that feature singing accountants.
- Comedy. Web videos of accountants -- or actors portraying accountants – acting or talking in a humorous way.
SURPRISE RESULTS. The results were not what I expected. I thought the United States with a population of more than 300 million and 1.5 million accountants would dominate. After all, America is the epicenter of social media culture and headquarters to most of the leading web video services such as YouTube. That didn't happen. America didn't come out on top.
AUSSIE RULES. The surprise victor was Australia -- a country of approximately 22 million people and 150,000 accountants. The land down-under represented 40% of the finalists and three of the four winning videos. A landslide victory.
What explains the Aussie success? Underdog attitude is one. To compensate for their relatively small population and distant location, they work harder and smarter to promote their accounting business to both domestic and global clients.
The creativity and vision of their leading accounting organizations was also key. CPA Australia and the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia are the 20th Century-Fox and MGM of accounting -- world-leaders and friendly(?) rivals in the production of online financial cinema. Both excel in leveraging the Internet and using web videos to promote brand awareness and student recruitment.
My personal favorite of all the finalists is the Aussie-produced "Street Accountants." If you watch no other video, this should be it. Brilliantly scripted, acted and shot, this is an instant classic and a must-see for any financial professional.
AMERICA SHINES. The U.S. wasn't totally shut out. While 10 finalists and three winners were from down-under, nine finalists and one winner were from the United States. Leading the American pack were the Massachusetts Society of CPAs and California Society of CPAs. Both produced outstanding student recruitment videos that profiled high-flying CPAs in a variety of sports, entertainment and law enforcement organizations.
Accountants One, an Atlanta-based accounting recruiting firm is another vanguard, online and off. The recruiter hosts an annual “South’s Funniest Accountant” comedy competition to showcase the stand-up talents of local accountants and financial professionals. A video of Jim Riley – the second runner-up from the 2008 Accountants One competition – was especially hilarious and a finalist in the comedy category.
A sleeper nomination was Greenstein, Rogoff, Olsen & Co. or GROCO, a Bay area financial advisor and accounting firm. Number-crunchers there posted a series of chuckle-inducing "accounting joke-teller" videos, one of which was selected as a finalist.
Perhaps the biggest surprises were two singer/comedians -- Merle Hazard, the first and only country singer to write about the credit crisis, and Steven Zelin, "the singing CPA." Both are great performers, brilliant songwriters and comedy category finalists (check out the videos below to see which singer won, although both were deserving).
GLOBAL PRODUCTION. Rounding out the nominees was a eclectic mix of accounting cinema from around the planet. Canadian Matt Ferguson produced "Harold Rosenbaum Chartered Accountant Extreme," the world's first (only?) animated gumshoe accountant. The Hong Kong Institute of CPAs created a high-energy rap/dance video that redefines "push-down accounting."
From India came the heart-warming story of Premlata Verma, a police accountant and role model to aspiring financial professionals. The Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland produced a delightful animated short that promotes accountancy as a career.
From the land of the rising sun, a Japanese accountant performs calculations that must be seen to be believed. A clever video from the United Kingdom show financial professionals literally fighting for business.
There's more video gems in the line-up but you'll have to check them out yourself.
THE PRIZE. In a shameless display of self-promotion, all winners received "The Garrett"® -- a virtual statuette that recognizes the excellence of accounting professionals in their YouTube video productions.The red pen symbolizes their passion. For business and art. For accounting and show business. For their never-ending struggle to reconcile -- not just bank statements and financial reports as Certified Public Accountants, but their hopes and dreams as artists.
Perhaps long suppressed or beaten down, the creative talents of accountants everywhere can now take center stage on online services such as YouTube and other video sharing sites and be shared with the world.
THE ENVELOPE PLEASE. While every video finalist is a winner, which were truly the best? Which were awarded -- pause, please -- "The Garrett"?
Time to end the suspense.
Scan through the 25 videos which have a combined running time of an hour or so. See if you agree with the winning selections. You'll discover that CPAs, CAs and accountants of all stripes are surprisingly talented and often wickedly funny. In these times of economic apocalypse and depressed expectations, who better to heal your heart than the financial types who broke it in the first place?
If you're aware of other accounting online videos not listed here, pass along the URLs. The productions may be considered for the next round of the awards coming soon.
(cue kettle drum)
Ladies and gentleman, time to introduce the Accounting Online Video Awards first category ...
(orchestra fanfare)
Brand Awareness
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Title: CPA Australia Brand Campaign
Accounting genre: Brand awareness
Producer: CPA Australia & Zoom Film and Television
Country: Australia
Synopsis: Nine Aussie CPAs are profiled in industries from mining to aviation to music publishing.
Running time: 1:32
Title: World Without Numbers
Accounting genre: Brand awareness
Producer: Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia
Country: Australia
Synopsis: Picture a place where numbers don't exist.
Running time: 0:30
Title: Rocket
Accounting genre: Brand awareness
Producer: Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia
Country: Australia
Synopsis: Imagine the space program with no numbers.
Running time: 0:30
Title: CPA Australia in Second Life
Accounting genre: Brand awareness
Producer: CPA Australia
Country: Australia
Synopsis: Highlights of CPA Australia's online learning space on Second Life, a virtual reality world.
Running time: 2:07
Winner: Best Accounting Online Video in Brand Awareness Category -- Shanghai CPA
Title: Shanghai CPA
Accounting genre: Brand awareness
Producer: CPA Australia
Country: Australia
Synopsis: Aussie number-crunchers have two sides: they think AND create.
Running time: 0:45
Student Recruitment
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Title: The Future is Chartered
Accounting genre: Student recruitment
Producer: Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland
Country: Ireland
Synopsis: Accounting gets animated.
Running time: 0:30
Title: Kevin Trantallis, CPA
Accounting genre: Student recruitment
Producer: CPA Australia
Country: Australia
Synopsis: A day in the soccer-playing, sports cars-driving, Christian Dior-wearing life of Kevin Trantallis -- a CPA in the Hong Kong fashion industry.
Running time: 0:15
Title: The Riddle
Accounting genre: Student recruitment
Producer: Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia
Country: Australia
Synopsis: What will take you to London, make you highly sought after, flatten obstacles in your path, and open doors for you?
Running time: 0:30
Title: Road Trip: Destination...CPA
Accounting genre: Student recruitment
Producer: Massachusetts Society of CPAs
Country: United States
Synopsis: Bay State CPAs are spotlighted in public accounting, forensic consulting and professional sports.
Running time: 9:32
Title: Bring It On - CPA Careers
Accounting genre: Student recruitment
Producer: California Society of CPAs
Country: United States
Synopsis: Golden State CPAs are showcased in "cool" jobs including professional sports, music production and law enforcement.
Running time: 8:16
Title: The Blah Report
Accounting genre: Student recruitment
Producer: Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales
Country: United Kingdom
Synopsis: Talking doesn't mean communicating.
Running time: 0:15
Title: Premlata the Accountant
Accounting genre: Student recruitment
Producer: UNICEF
Country: India
Synopsis: The story of Premlata Verma, an Indian accountant.
Running time: 5:09
Winner: Best Accounting Online Video in Student Recruitment Category -- World of Opportunity
Title: World of Opportunity
Accounting genre: Student recruitment
Producer: Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia
Country: Australia
Synopsis: One professional qualification -- guess which one -- opens the door to continents, cities and glamour galore.
Running time: 1:00
Music
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Title: Tute in da House
Accounting genre: Music/Dance
Producer: Hong Kong Institute of CPAs
Country: China
Synopsis: Vertical gyrations from the Pearl River Delta.
Running time: 2:00
Title: H-E-D-G-E
Accounting genre: Music
Producer: Merle Hazard (the first and only country singer to write songs about mortgage-backed securities, derivatives, and leveraged buyouts).
Country: United States.
Synopsis: Hee Haw meets the mortgage-backed securities industry.
Running time: 2:24
Title: CPA Rapper
Accounting genre: Music
Producer: Miko Sy
Country: United States
Synopsis: Miko Sy, Illinois-licensed CPA, croons and swoons.
Running time: 2:05
Winner: Best Accounting Online Video in Music Category -- Steven Zelin, Singing CPA
Title: Steven Zelin, Singing CPA
Accounting genre: Music
Producer: Steven Zelin
Country: United States
Synopsis: New York-based Steven Zelin -- the Singing CPA -- sings his greatest hits.
Running time: 2:00
Comedy
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Title: Accountants Gone Crazy
Accounting genre: Comedy
Producer: Jimmy Kimmel
Country: United States
Synopsis: How accountants celebrate the end of tax season.
Running time: 0:45
Title: La Recesion en USA
Accounting genre: Comedy
Producer: ?
Country: United States (?)
Synopsis: Executives pick-up work. Literally.
Running time: 1:30
Title: Funny Accountant Jim Riley
Accounting genre: Comedy
Producer: Accountants One
Country: United States
Synopsis: Jim Riley was the second runner up in Accountants One's 2008 Search for the South's Funniest Accountant.
Running time: 7:27
Title: Harold Rosenbaum Chartered Accountant Extreme
Accounting genre: Comedy
Producer: Matt Ferguson
Country: Canada
Synopsis: The first (only?) animated Chartered Accountant gumshoe.
Running time: 5:00
Title: Bank Fight
Accounting genre: Comedy
Producer: Halifax Bank of Scotland
Country: United Kingdom
Synopsis: Evil bankers (and accountants) brawl.
Running time: 1:00
Title: Steve, the GROCO Accounting Joke Teller
Accounting genre: Comedy
Producer: GROCO Accounting
Country: United States
Synopsis: CPA knee-slappers.
Running time: 1:11
Title: Fastest Japanese Accountant
Accounting genre: Comedy
Producer: ?
Country: Japan
Synopsis: A Japanese young woman lets her fingers (and numbers) fly.
Running time: 3:33
Title: Accountant -- the New Fragrance
Accounting genre: Comedy
Producer: ?
Country: Australia(?)
Synopsis: How do accountants smell?
Running time: 0:30
Winner: Best Accounting Online Video in Comedy Category -- Street Accountant
Title: Street Accountants
Accounting genre: Comedy
Producer: Real Stories
Country: Australia
Synopsis: What happens when you have certain financial "needs" that are not being met? You turn to the street -- street accountants.
Running time: 6:32
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Garrett Wasny, CMC, CMC, CITP delivers web productivity seminars for CPAs, CAs and other financial professionals.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
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