Technology
40 Under 40 Honoree: Betsy Matthews, CPA — 25
Accounting & Audit Supervisor, Steinberg Advisors, Northbrook, IL
Aug. 29, 2007
40 Under 40 Honoree: Betsy Matthews, CPA — 25
Accounting & Audit Supervisor, Steinberg Advisors, Northbrook, IL
EDUCATION: BS Accountancy — DePaul University
FAMILY: Husband Andy & Max the puppy
HOBBIES & INTERESTS: boating, time with family and friends,
running with puppy Max
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS: Illinois CPA Society Young Professionals
Group, AICPA, Ledger & Quill Alumni Assn.
What’s the one piece of technology that MOST helps you get through
your normal workday?
“The one piece of technology that most helps me through a normal workday
would have to be my BlackBerry. The ability to receive and respond to client
and staff e-mails throughout the day saves a significant amount of time and
keeps me from being inundated with e-mails when I return to the office.”
What will be the biggest change over the next five years in the ways
tax and accounting firms operate?
“I think we will see everything from auditing to tax become even more
technology driven. Paperless technologies will evolve and become more efficient
as firms become more familiar with existing technologies. Paper files will be
a thing of the past as firms gain control of their paperless environment with
new and improved document storage systems. Communications with clients and colleagues
will become seamless with the use of mobile broadband, smartphones and instant
messaging. And as technology plays a bigger role in all types of businesses,
our clients will become more tech-savvy and will drive accounting firms to stay
on the cutting edge of technology.”
What Betsy’s peers had to say about her:
Betsy is committed to giving back to young people. She is involved with the
alumni groups through her alma mater, DePaul University, and visits campus to
speak with students about her experiences. Betsy is also a member of the Illinois
CPA Society’s Young Professionals Group. Through that affiliation, Betsy
has spoken at several college campuses to encourage young people to choose accounting
and get their CPA credential. Betsy was also part of a Board-driven initiative
through the Illinois CPA Society dedicated to bringing financial literacy to
college campuses. Betsy was a creator and presenter of “Real World Survival:
Having a Ball on a Budget,” which taught almost 400 students on six campuses
how to save money and live well on a starting salary.