Deb Defer
Editor's Note: This is the first installment of our ongoing series highlighting this year's Insightful Accountant's "Top 100 ProAdvisors." Over the remainder of the year, we will introduce you to our winners, getting their insights on a wide range of topics, including what it is like to be a leader in their profession, how to stay on top and what the future holds.
Training. System analysis. Integration and implementation of third-party applications for QuickBooks. Troubleshooting. If there's something her clients need, Deborah Defer is on it. For more than 30 years, she has honed her skills in the accounting profession, picking up scores of accommodations and recognition along the way.
Today, as BSO Managing Director at BDO USA in the Cleveland and Akron, Ohio areas, she spends her time consulting with clients on a multitude of QuickBooks matters, focusing on QuickBooks administration, receivables/payables, payroll setup and processing, financial reports, business workflows and both corporate and individual tax returns.
Deborah's impressive business acumen includes being a Advanced Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor®, Advanced QuickBooks Online Certified ProAdvisor®, Certified Enterprise QuickBooks ProAdvisor®, Expert Certification for Bill.com, T-Sheets Pro, and Certified in LivePlan.com. She also is a member of the Intuit Trainer Writer Network and the co-leader of the Woodard Group's Akron Group.
Her list of accomplishments includes making Insightful Accountant's Top 100 ProAdivsor list for the past three years, including being named the Top BPO ProAdvisor in 2015 and a "VIP40" by Intuit.
What does it mean to be recognized out of more than 200,000 ProAdvisors in the world?
It is a huge honor to be a part of this elite group. I pride myself in providing A+ service to my clients, and being part of the ProAdvisor program allows me to be recognized for all the hard work that is invested in completing certifications, learning the various third-party apps and being part of the Intuit community.
Your first thoughts on getting news of the honor?
I was so excited to learn that I was selected for the third year in a row. I know that this gives even more credibility to me as a Certified ProAdvisor.
How has your ProAdvisor practice changed or evolved over the last couple of years?
The leads and relationships that has been established over the past two years has made a huge impact on my firm. We are focused on moving our practice to the cloud.
Why is continuing to enhance your skills and acumen critical to staying one step ahead of the curve?
Understanding that technology changes daily is imperative to maintaining the standardized processes that have been established.
Give us a snapshot of today's accounting landscape.
The accounting profession is changing rapidly. We need to embrace technology in order to accomplish the efficiencies and solve pain points for clients.
What was the best piece of advice you ever received?
Set goals, track your goals, and you're your best cheerleader. Also, smart people keep smarter people around them – it makes them look better.
What's the story that best describes how you help your clients?
It is about listening to my clients' pain points, introducing third-party apps to facilitate efficiencies and providing real time data in order for them to make decisions. Being "PRO-active" is a "PRO-Advisor's" responsibility.
How do you create balance in your work and personal life?
I use many third party apps on a personal level to help make my life more efficient so that I can spend quality time with my family.
What's on your to-do list the rest of 2017?
Continue to grow the practice
Special thanks to our program sponsors, including Canon imageFORMULA Document Scanners, ADP, Finagraph, "Scaling New Heights" and Intuit's QuickBooks ProAdvisor Program.