The CPA Consultants Alliance held its annual meeting online to discuss challenges confronting the accounting profession from COVID-19 and elect a new slate of officers for this year.
The group is readying a new season of its “Big Ideas!” podcasts in which CPACA members will discuss some of the challenges and opportunities surrounding the pandemic, including remote and flexible work environments, creating coaching cultures, developing business, generating leads and growing revenue during and beyond a pandemic.
The novel coronavirus pandemic has transformed the accounting profession over the past year, forcing many practitioners to work remotely and deal with their clients and colleagues from their homes. At the same time, the various COVID relief packages coming out of Congress have provided clients with much needed funds from Economic Impact Payments, the Paycheck Protection Program, tax credits and other sources, along with the need for financial advice from CPAs.
“The challenges spotlighted by the global pandemic last year are critical issues that are top of mind for firm leaders," said CPACA president Angie Grissom, owner and chief relationship officer of the Rainmaker Companies, in a statement Monday. "Most of these challenges existed before the pandemic and highlight critical opportunities for the accounting profession to embrace change and make necessary adjustments to better meet client and team member needs.”
The past year has also spotlighted questions around racial equality sparked by the Black Lives Matter protests. During the online meeting, CPACA discussed a new Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI) committee it has formed to improve its members’ awareness of challenges around with the goal of serving as allies for underrepresented groups of people in the accounting profession.
“One of the biggest challenges the accounting profession faces is creating a more diverse landscape that includes all people,” said Arianna Campbell, a shareholder and consultant at Boomer Consulting, Inc. and chair of the JEDI committee, in a statement. “The JEDI committee’s mission is to enhance our own awareness of these challenges by educating ourselves and encouraging courageous, honest and vulnerable conversations with one another and those we serve,”
During their recent meeting, CPACA members also elected a new slate of officers to guide the organization in year ahead:
Angie Grissom, owner and chief relationship officer, The Rainmaker Companies – President
Tamera Loerzel, partner, ConvergenceCoaching, LLC – Vice president/meeting chair
Terry Putney, CEO, Transition Advisors – Secretary/treasurer
Adelaide Ness, owner and chief learning officer, The Rainmaker Companies – Deliverables chair
Sarah Elliott, co-founder and principal, Intend2Lead LLC – Marketing chair
Arianna Campbell, shareholder and consultant, Boomer Consulting, Inc. – Justice, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion chair
Jeff Phillips, CEO, Padgett Business Services – Immediate past president.
