CEO'S MESSAGE
Susan Speirs, CPA
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here is no going back! COVID-19 has not only been disruptive to every aspect of life, it has also created a big reset. Technology has played a crucial role in keeping our society functional and more transactional during a period of lockdowns and quarantines. These technologies will have a long-lasting impact beyond the pandemic. Below are some lessons we’ve learned while navigating the reality of COVID-19 and weaving the implications into our work, family, environmental and social lives. •
Remote work is real and it’s here to stay. We’ve heard from many of you, that working from home is mandatory, at least through the end of the year. We’ve heard that office spaces will be shrinking as employers have discovered that employees can be just as productive, if not more productive, working from home. As a side note, how many of us have purchased stand-up desks?
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Health and personal safety are paramount. Have you noticed that we don’t shake hands anymore? Pandemic policies are popping up everywhere and being changed frequently as we move through the different phases of the pandemic. In the beginning, policies conveyed information on what to do in the event of a pandemic; now we’re word-smithing preventative measures. Who knew that you may have to quarantine yourself 14 days after returning from vacation?
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Caring, listening and empathizing have become a priority. Because we’re not surrounded by our colleagues and peers as we were six months ago, we’ve discovered how important our relationships are with each other. On July 8, we had our Centennial birthday party at our office, pandemic style. UACPA members were happy to socialize, even if only for a short time, as we had time slots to maintain social distancing. I loved the sincerity of our members as they shared the challenges they were having during this time and some of the ways they were combating loneliness and isolation. the journal entry | October 2020
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We can move fast and come together. This has been a time of courage, collaboration and action. Teams have been built in organizations so that businesses can continue to operate.
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Leadership matters. As CPAs, we’re all leaders in one way or another. This is our time to shine, and shine we are! We have put into place an infrastructure that will protect the health and well-being of our staff, clients and employees. We also continue to strategize about the revenue model and how that model contributes to workplace safety with continuity while offering sound ethical policies to employees. We maintain balance between financial decisions that must be made and the human element that ultimately has consequences.
I hope that as you peruse through this issue of The Journal Entry, you will ponder how you’re faring and how you can help others. If we’ve learned anything, it’s that the human dynamic is integral in everything we accomplish. n
