Paul McCann, CPA
Founder & CEO – Red Earth CPA
CPAs have had to quickly adapt to new technology over the past year. What’s your favorite (or most used) app/technology and why?
Loom. Sending a video is superior to email in so many ways. My clients love to receive them. It is so much faster than typing, and the communication is more complete.
One of Red Earth’s values is adventure, and you like to travel. Where are you in your photo and what are you doing?
The adventure value is a reminder that life is too short not to take risks. At Red Earth, we embrace risk because we know so many regrets come from avoiding it.
Just before the pandemic hit in 2020, my wife and I escaped the Midwest winter and hiked in Sabino Canyon, part of Coronado National Forest, which is north of Tucson, Arizona.
What is your favorite part of your job?
I love working with business leaders and entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurs create the world they envision. Their vision, energy and initiative to make change is inspiring. The impacts of a well-run business create great gains for its community.
What advice would you share with others who work at or own a small firm?
You can’t lead yourself. If you’re going anywhere in life, you’ll need a guide. Working at a smaller firm may require more initiative to make impactful relationships, but it is important to find them and hang out with people smarter than you.
What is the best thing you’ve read recently?
“Positioning for Professionals” by Tim Williams. As a professional, formal education is about learning the profession, not the business. Neglecting the business can lead to commoditized services. Williams articulates how to not be a standard firm.
What is your favorite podcast?
Cloud Accounting Podcast with Blake Oliver, CPA, and David Leary. I love staying up on the current trends in accounting and tax in a fun, relevant format. Oliver is a former accounting entrepreneur and Leary is an Intuit product evangelist; these guys understand the world I live in.
How do you unwind after a busy day? Any hobbies?
I’m trying to narrow down my hobbies. After a day in the office I love to hike, cycle, singletrack, coach baseball, play softball, golf or ski.
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