CPATechViews

Doug Sleeter is president of The Sleeter Group, which he founded shortly after the introduction of QuickBooks in 1994. Early on, he recognized that this new breed of small business management software had the potential to revolutionize how these businesses function, from increased productivity and efficiency, to greater fiscal oversight. But in order for this sea change to take effect, he knew that a dedicated group of experts would be needed to advise businesses, and help with training and implementation of the systems. He set the vision for The Sleeter Group to be a bridge between users, accountants, and the developers of software solutions for small businesses.

After developing the first QuickBooks seminars in the country, Doug was selected by Intuit to develop early versions of the program’s training materials, and has continued to consult with the company, and other technology vendors, on development of programs designed to enhance small business management. To further facilitate the delivery of great technologies to small businesses, The Sleeter Group has become the Value Added Reseller (VAR) channel for several products in the small business accounting marketplace.

In addition to consulting with developers and small business owners, Doug provides expert-level support and training to hundreds of other accounting software and business consultants throughout the US, Canada and beyond.

The Sleeter Group has evolved over the past 14 years, and Doug’s vision and mission have also expanded. As the Internet and online technologies have flourished, he has been a proponent of its potential for revolutionizing the way small businesses manage their accounting data and workflow. He has evangelized developers to increase the level of integration between QuickBooks, online applications, and other desktop applications.

In 2004, Doug initiated the “Awesome Add-Ons for QuickBooks” program, which recognizes solutions that are designed to enhance the capabilities of QuickBooks and provide industry specific capabilities. He launched The Sleeter Group’s annual Accounting Software Consulting Conference that same year, and, which has since grown to include over 60 exhibitors, hundreds of accounting professionals, and top presenters from across the accounting profession.

Prior to founding The Sleeter Group, Doug spent a decade in development and marketing at some of the world’s most respected technology companies, including Apple Computer, where he was an evangelist during the early developmental years of the Macintosh, as well as Adobe Systems, Silicon Graphics and Quorum Software Systems. He also spent several years as a staff accountant and tax professional at CPA firms in Santa Cruz, CA.

Doug’s unique combination of practical accounting knowledge and technology expertise has been a cornerstone of the success of The Sleeter Group and has established him as one of the most respected thought leaders in the accounting software industry. He is a frequent speaker at accounting events and tradeshows, including the AICPA’s annual TECH conference.

He is the author of more than 40 reference books and courseware materials in use by colleges and technology schools across the country. Doug’s column, “The QuickBooks Advisor,” is a must-read for the 50,000 tax and accounting professionals who subscribe to The CPA Technology Advisor and the magazine’s website, and the Sleeter.com website is a primary destination for QuickBooks educators, consultants, and users.

Doug was born in Fresno, California, and graduated from the University of California at Santa Cruz with a BA in Computer and Information Sciences. He lives in Pleasanton, CA with his wife and business partner Sherrill.

As a former CEO of a technology consulting and training organization, John has more than 20 years experience advising startup and established businesses. Combining his technology expertise with his in-depth understanding of how to grow an organization, John works with clients to develop and implement effective IT strategies. He has authored numerous articles and is a popular speaker, always providing practical and valuable ‘how to’ advice.

A Certified Public Accountant, John is a former national practice director of mid-market IT consulting for a top ten accounting and consulting firm. The Michigan Association of CPAs honored John with the Innovative User of Technology Award. The American Institute of CPAs inducted John into their Business & Industry Member Hall of Fame in 2004. John is the 2004 - 2005 Chairman of the Board of the Michigan Association of CPAs.

Since the establishment of L. Kianoff & Associates, Inc. in 1986, Lisa has been a trailblazer utilizing ever-changing technology to champion the success of businesses. Lisa leads a team of certified consultants, CPAs, technicians and IT professionals who support clients using the industry’s leading mid-market business management products: Microsoft Dynamics GP, Sage MAS 90, Sage MAS 200, Sage MAS 500, ACT!, Microsoft CRM, ABRA and FAS. While her company serves clients in a broad range of industries, they specialize in the areas of food service and hospitality, health care, distribution/ manufacturing and high tech.

Lisa was one of the first CPAs in Alabama to earn the CITP (Certified Information Technology Professional) from the AICPA. She has authored articles on technology in several publications and has been invited back many times to speak to industry and professional groups on better ways to use technology in business. She and the company have received numerous awards and recognitions, including Best Places to Work in Birmingham, SBA Small Business Person of the Year, induction into the Alabama Women Business Owners Hall of Fame, Top 10 Birmingham Women by the Birmingham Business Journal, Entrepreneurship Award, UFO (Unusual, First & Outstanding) Award from the UAB Alumni Society, and recognized as the first Pathfinder by the Alabama Society of CPAs. Lisa is active in the community and also serves on several boards and agencies.

Randy Johnston is executive vice president and partner of K2 Enterprises and Network Management Group, Inc.  He is a nationally recognized educator, consultant and writer with over 30 years experience in strategic technology planning, systems and network integration, accounting software selection, business development and management, disaster recovery and contingency planning, and process engineering.

Roman H. Kepczyk, CPA.CITP :

Roman is President of InfoTech Partners North America, Inc. and the Lead Technology Management Strategist for the firm. His primary focus is helping firms throughout North America effectively use information technology by implementing best practices and directing them towards today’s “paperless”or Digital CPA firm. He has spent the past nine years consulting exclusively with CPA firms and prior to that, ten years with the CPA firm of Henry & Horne, (Arizona’s largest regional firm) where he was the partner in charge of the firm’s Management Advisory Services and Microcomputer Consulting practices.  Roman also served as the firm’s Administrative partner where he oversaw Internal Accounting, Marketing, Human Resources and was responsible for the creation and implementation of the firm’s technology plan and budget.

He is currently the Chairman of the AICPA’s Information Technology Executive Committee and served as a member of the AICPA’s Special Committee on Enhanced Business Reporting. He has also served as Chairman of the AICPA’s Top Technology Task Force, as well as been involved with the AICPA eBusiness, Best Practices, IT Research, IT Practices, and Group of 100 Projects.

Roman authors a column to The CPA Technology Advisor, and is an Advisory Board Member to the Association for Accounting Administration and has served on the Board of Directors of the Arizona Society of CPAs. He has been a featured National and Regional speaker to thousands of CPA firms on information technology. Recent speaking engagements include topics of Today’s Digital CPA Firm, Strategic Technology Management, Security and Privacy, Technology Tools, and the Impact of Remote Computing/Virtual Office.

On a technical level, Roman is an AICPA Certified Information Technology Professional. He authored technology chapters for the PPC MAP Handbook, PPC Guide to Paperless Engagements, and sections of the AICPA MAP Handbook as well as co-authored the 2003 AICPA Top Technologies Guide and 2004 AICPA Guide to Understanding and Controlling Spam. He also authored the AAA Guide to CPA Firm Intranets as well as coauthored their 2003 Guide to Paperless CPA Firm Administration.