Nancy Orben Blue & Co.
Listening. It's one of the things that Nancy Orben believes in the most. When you listen to what your clients want, you find solutions that fit their needs. And sometimes, it isn't what they think they need.
It's that simply, really, says Nancy Orben, senior manager at Blue & Co. and a multiple "Top ProAdvisor."
With more than 30 years of accounting and auditing experience as a CPA, Nancy specializes in accounting software and consulting for a wide variety of businesses, focusing mainly on the construction, manufacturing and non-profit industries. Blue & Co. LLC is a regional CPA firm with more than 450 employees in Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana and Texas.
Advanced Certified and/or Certified in all QuickBooks software, Nancy works with her clients to learn their business processes and assists them with the use of their software. She performs QuickBooks data file conversions and third-party software integration with QuickBooks. Nancy works on accounting data re-creation projects for data-loss situations or litigation.
In addition, she assists with internal QuickBooks training and consulting for clients in the different markets Blue & Co. serves.
What does it mean to you to be recognized out of more than 200,000 ProAdvisors in the world?
It was very exciting. What an honor.
Your first thoughts on getting news of the honor?
I was so happy to be picked for the fourth year, as there are so many knowledgeable ProAdvisors. When I was picked as the "Top Desktop ProAdvisor" I was amazed.
How has your ProAdvisor practice changed or evolved over the last couple of years?
I have focused more on software projects that specifically address an area of a client’s business that is unique to him and areas where he needs better information in a more efficient way. As our firm has changed from a local firm to a regional firm with 13 offices and 450 people, it has given me an opportunity to further deepen and enhance my work as a software specialist.
Why is continuing to enhance your skills and acumen critical to staying one step ahead of the curve?
The accounting field is continually changing and we need to keep up with what is going to provide value to the clients we serve. All companies are seeking ways to better utilize technology in their business. We want to be one of the first people they ask about how we can help them with technology.
What do you do?
On a given day, I might answer questions for other staff about a QuickBooks task they have not encountered in the past, help a client with a complex transaction or work on planning a new accounting system. I spend a lot of time talking to vendors and researching software to seek new solutions for our clients.
Give us a snapshot of today's accounting landscape.
Clients want to have real time data. They hear about technology and they want to take advantage of it. I am looking ahead and investigating blockchain. I think its widespread use is several years away, but I want to make sure I understand it and its ramifications.
What was the best piece of advice you ever received?
My dad always told me there is no such thing as a free lunch – you have to work hard. Even after almost 20 years of working with accounting software, you can’t just slide on what you know – you have to keep learning more.
What is the story that best describes how you help your clients?
I listen and understand their processes to find solutions that fit their needs. Sometimes it isn’t what they think they need. We had a client who thought they wanted to change software. I talked to them and explained the software they had was actually better for their industry. I ended up helping them use their existing software. We could have a had a great engagement with a data conversion, but it is more important to make sure the client is well informed when they are making significant investments into software.
How do you create balance in your work and personal life?
I work a lot, but my husband and I plan great vacations I can look forward to. That is balance I can live with.
What's on your to-do list the rest of 2017?
I have a goal of getting 20 more staff certified in QBO. Also, I am expanding my blockchain and cryptocurrency knowledge.
Special thanks to our program sponsors, including Canon imageFORMULA Document Scanners, ADP, Finagraph, "Scaling New Heights" and Intuit's QuickBooks ProAdvisor Program.