How big of a deal is cloud computing to CPAs? Let’s ask Jason Blumer.

“The cloud is a game-changer, and I honestly don’t think we’ve even seen the tip of the iceberg,” said Blumer, managing shareholder of Greenville, S.C.-based Blumer and Associates. “There’s no telling what will happen. I truly believe everything will be online one day. … The way small business operates in that new world is going to be amazing. The efficiencies that come out of that are going to be huge.”

The interesting thing about this quote isn’t the content. At this point, there’s no disputing the power and importance of the cloud.

What’s interesting is when Blumer said it. That quote was part of an interview I conducted with him almost two years ago.

Cloud computing was a game-changer then. Today, it’s simply the way smart people do business.

In the Journal of Accountancy article “Heads in the Cloud,” a panel of forward-thinking CPAs say the cloud is revolutionizing the profession by breaking down geographical barriers and granting access to resources anywhere, at any time. Small firms can grow quickly by expanding their reach beyond local markets, and employers of all sizes can cut administrative costs, tap into a huge global pool of candidates in their search for talent, and better serve their employees by making work more efficient and flexible — all thanks to the cloud.

And it’s only going to get bigger. Researchers at Gartner predict that the cloud “will grow almost 20 percent this year to become a $109 billion industry.”

In short, if you’re not working in the cloud yet, I’m guessing you will be shortly. The benefits are too huge to ignore.

Don’t miss the first-ever Digital CPA Conference
The AICPA gets it too, and from Oct. 28-30, it will present The Digital CPA, its first-ever cloud user conference, at the Gaylord National Hotel and Convention Center in D.C. The event will show CPAs “how to harness cloud and mobile technology to create new business opportunities, reinforce client relationships, and grow your client accounting services practice.”

The agenda is packed with big-name speakers, including:

• Change management expert and best-selling author Geoffrey Moore.
• Pulitzer Prize-winning author and political columnist George Will.
• AICPA President and CEO Barry Melancon.
• Dr. William Dunkleberg, chief economist with the National Federation of Independent Business.

The really good stuff, though, will come from a team of CPA thought leaders; panels of practitioners who will share the lessons they learned as they embrace the cloud at their practices; and strategic partners who will offer cloud-based resources and solutions.

Discount for MACPA members
The MACPA will be there, too. We’re on board as a strategic partner of the event, and we’ll leading a pair of sessions there as well:

• Tom Hood will present “How the Dynamic of the CPA / Client Relationship Changes in the Cloud,” a firm panel discussion.
• I’ll be presenting “The Basics of Effective Blogging for your Firm.”

It’s going to be a great event, so get all the details and register today. If you’re an MACPA member, be sure to use “MACPA” as a registration code to receive a discount.