Challenges and Upsides for CPAs During this Pandemic

Over the last two weeks, you’ve undoubtedly received a message from the CEO of nearly every company you’ve ever done business with. From the airlines to the apps you use, from Jimmy John’s to Best Buy, business leaders are stepping up to reassure and share their plans to protect and continue on as much as possible in the face of the coronavirus pandemic.

At Rampe Consulting we wanted to hear and share what’s on the minds of our clients and CPA firm contacts to provide a moment of connection through this post knowing that while we may be isolated, we’re not alone.

We asked several accounting firm leaders three simple questions about challenges, benefits and hopes on March 23, 2020. Here are some of their responses:

What is the biggest work-related challenge you’re currently facing?

For us the biggest challenge has been keeping the staff healthy and safe while continuing to provide services. We have locked the door and provided safety measures, but it is difficult when schools are out, kids are quarantined at home and just overall staff concerns about the situation. – Jan Pierce, Partner | Cantey, Tiller, Pierce & Green, Camden, SC

Not being able to meet with my staff in person to discuss returns and projects we are working on, and not to mention that the internet at home is so much more unstable so having to plan for that and learning to be patient. – Arturo Machado, Shareholder | Sol Schwartz, San Antonio, TX

My home office is in the basement, so when laundry is going, there’s noise. When the furnace runs, there’s noise. The freezer is down here. The worst part is that it’s cold down here. – Joel Ungar, Director of Accounting and Auditing | Silverman, Kaplan & Sakwa, Southfield, MI

Trying to stay up with all of the mandates, how they affect our clients, their businesses and their workers. Overall we are still very busy with client work and trying to maintain deadlines even with the federal extension because our state has yet to issue an extension. – Tessa Keena, Senior Manager | Hungerford Nichols, Grand Rapids, MI

What are you most looking forward to once the coronavirus situation stabilizes somewhat?

I’m looking forward to some normality, go to lunch with staff, clients, my network. Looking for new clients without worrying about “how much do we cost.” – Hue Truong, Partner | Truong Accounting Services, Windsor, CA

The hopeful return by the U.S. to something old-fashioned – looking out for the common good no matter who we are or how much we make or what political affiliation we may have. – Tim Petik, Partner | Stefforia, Petik & Associates, Ann Arbor, MI

I’m a long-distance bike rider. While I haven’t been able to ride because of busy season and winter, I’ve been looking forward to group bike rides with my Wish-A-Mile teammates, and those aren’t going to happen for some time. – Joel Ungar, Director of Accounting and Auditing | Silverman, Kaplan & Sakwa, Southfield, MI

3. What is one positive benefit you’re experiencing as a result of the current coronavirus restrictions and changes?

Surprisingly, being at home has helped me appreciate so many things, such as time with family. When I’m at the office, between calls, and other distractions, I often have a hard time feeling I accomplished many of the tasks I had set for the day. And now, that’s not as much of an issue, that is until my 7-year-old comes in my office and asks me a thousand times if she can play on my computer… 🙂 – Arturo Machado, Shareholder | Sol Schwartz, San Antonio, TX

We now have extra time for the deadline, which is nice to able to smooth out the time crunch. Even though we are considered an essential business, we encourage clients to drop off information if necessary, reducing the need for long meetings. This experience is also encouraging us to look for more remote-only clients. – Hue Truong, Partner | Truong Accounting Services, Windsor, CA

Employees have banded together in solidarity for the common cause of getting through this. All of the sudden, everyone is worried about the same things: their health, their families, their jobs.

Personally, I left work one day at 2:00PM, disappointed in myself for being at work, while my family was stuck at home during a national emergency. I left work fearing that my teenaged kids would one day remember that I was at work instead of home.

Upon my arrival at home that day, my family was perplexed at my feelings and all members stated that seeing me go to work every day was the one semblance of normalcy in their lives at that point, and they requested that I continue. These words gave me the strength to get up the next day and face the world once again. – Tim Petik, Partner | Stefforia, Petik & Associates, Ann Arbor, MI

As a partner who does both audit and tax, we have pulled everyone off the road and are able to make progress on pushing audits and tax returns out. So, I’m enjoying not being pulled in so many directions. – Jan Pierce, Partner | Cantey, Tiller, Pierce & Green, Camden, SC

Being able to truly appreciate life, my health, my freedom, my access to food and supplies, and my family being healthy and safe. As I have told my daughter who is a senior in high school, it is ok to mourn the loss of her senior year and all that goes along with it, but to try and find a way to look past the pain and sadness and to look to the future and how this will shape her and build her as a leader and strong woman as she goes off to college and beyond. – Tessa Keena, Senior Manager | Hungerford Nichols, Grand Rapids, MI

What’s on your mind for challenges, hopes or benefits today? Respond with a comment below.