Social Networking For CPAs: Can Your Accountant Be Your Friend?

As social networking becomes standard operating practice for all types of businesses, accountants are learning to embrace this powerful tool for connecting with colleagues and clients. While they may be slow to adopt the technology, the more accountants understand how social networking can improve efficiency and profitbility, the more they will connect online.

Social Networking is Modern Communication
There is little point in debating that social networking is the new way to communicate. Younger generations (Millenials) use sites like Facebook on a daily basis to communicate with their family and friends. Often instead of email, it is a preferred social networking site that is open all day on their computers and mobile phones. They communicate verbally and visually  – generously and in real time.

Social Networking Exponentially Expands Your Network
No other tool so efficiently allows users to reconnect with current and former friends, colleagues, and social contacts – all of whom are potential resources and/or clients. In our increasingly mobile society, it’s crucial to remain in contact with friends and acquaintances from former employers, organizations, or places where you used to live. Social networks let you keep up with people’s work and personal lives at your convenience with a minimal investment of time.

Social Networks Offer Free Publicity
When people look you up online, they had better find something. As more of our lives are lived online, lack of an online presence is increasingly suspect. Social networks are a great way to create that presence. You can post information, resources, and employment opportunities. Even more important, you can engage members of your network in discussion.

Social Networks are Overflowing With Information
Learning to navigate social networks gives employers the ability to research potential employees. Social networking sites may provide more information as to the interests and character of a potential employee than any background check.

Where to Start with Social Networks

• LinkedIn:  A good place to start for hesitant accountants is LinkedIn, which is geared toward professional contacts. I think of LinkedIn as an online resume that all your contacts can view. In addition, you can see who your contacts’ contacts are, which may facilitate a personal introduction.
• Facebook:  The next most popular place for professionals is Facebook. Although you may think of this social networking site as primarily a place for younger people to share personal information, many non-profits and small business are ’setting up shop’ there, lending it a new credibility. Most young employees will have a presence on Facebook.

The time to deny social networks has passed – even for accountants. Those who embrace the technology and actively participate in their chosen network will see a positive difference in their bottom line.

Image Credit: luc legay, Flickr