Our People: Travis Leppky
When I started at BDO in 1994, the first question I asked was: Where are the computers? I’ve always had an interest in computers, but while going to the University of Manitoba I soon decided I wanted to be more than just a software designer, I needed a greater challenge. So I became a Chartered Accountant.
Back in 1994 the accounting profession was only slowly accepting computers as a fact of life in business. Even today that acceptance sometimes remains begrudging. But early on in my career BDO recognized computers were here to stay. And aware of my interest in the field, they encouraged me to expand my qualifications – first with my Chartered Accountant-Certified Information Systems Auditor (CA-CISA) designation, followed by my ISO 9000 Quality Management System Register. Since then there’s been no shortage of work in information systems (IS).
Since the Enron affair in 2000, IS has catapulted to the forefront of accounting. The U.S. response to the collapse of that and other financial scandals – the Sarbanes-Oxley Act – threw the profession on its head. Suddenly auditors weren’t just required to go over the books. Now we had to go in and look at a company’s computer system, pick apart its financial reporting process, and even review its ethical and governance standards.
And while Sarbanes-Oxley became law over four years ago, much of its regulations are still working their way through the system. The big issue that will play out over the next few years is the affect those regulations will have on smaller companies, with the final cost of compliance as the biggest factor. Although the deadline for compliance for smaller companies has been pushed back twice, the new rules will eventually be set down, and that will mean even more intense work – both for companies and auditors.
But even without another Enron scandal, information systems’ role in business and in auditing will only grow. The only accurate prediction one can make about the future is that the auditor is busy now, and in three years will be even busier. As IS continues to evolve, companies will be able to track even more details about their business. That will lead to even greater amounts of information being processed in an even shorter period of time.
The good news: technology does bring benefits. I’ve lived nearly my whole life in Winnipeg. My wife is from here, so are all our friends and family. About 18 months ago, when I joined BDO’s National Office – which is based in Toronto – I didn’t have to uproot myself and my family and move to Ontario. Thanks to technology, the work can be done from here. With computers, e-mails, cell phones and BlackBerrys, if you can plug in, you can conduct business from anywhere in the world
I love the fact that I’m a 20-minute drive from home to work except for during the occasional blizzard. At the end of the workday, I go home and have supper with my family, and put my kids to bed. When I’m really busy I return to the office later that evening for my “second shift.” I prefer to go into the office, even though I could work from home. I like to keep work and home separate. My job does have long hours and lots of traveling. But whether I’m flying off to Yellowknife, New York City or Quito, Ecuador, I take comfort knowing back home my family has the presence and support of our relatives and friends. In that way, the flexibility that BDO provides coupled with today’s technology has allowed me to preserve a good work-life balance.
I’m fortunate that I’m part of a profession and a firm that’s allowed me to pursue my interests and grow both professionally and personally.
Travis Leppky, CA, is the National IS Audit Partner, with qualifications as a Chartered Accountant - Certified Information Systems Auditor and ISO 9000 Quality Management Systems Registrar.
