Page 149 - JoFA_2022

‘Now I think it’s more

important than ever to

keep up on a weekly

basis.’

Manny Glazier, CPA/ABV/CFF, CGMA, of Manny Glazier PC in
the Detroit area on the heightened importance of continuing
professional education

financial goals due to the pandemic, with some
choosing to retire earlier than expected. And firm About the
leaders, too, reassessed their priorities for their author
firms. Some, realizing how much need existed for
Megan Hart is a
their services, planned for expansion, while others freelance writer
chose to streamline and refocus their practices, or based in Florida.
to look ahead to succession.
Though the pandemic continues to affect
the accounting profession, firms are starting to
anticipate what will happen after it. CPA financial
planners offer the following advice on how firms
can build on the changes they made during this
period and prepare for what’s to come.

CAPITALIZE ON TECHNOLOGY
Both clients and staff grew more comfortable with
working together remotely during the pandemic.
This enhanced trust in technology has changed
how financial planning practices operate. Before
the pandemic, Dirk Edwards, CPA/PFS, J.D.,
sometimes flew 150,000 miles annually to meet
with clients, but now those interactions often take
place by video. “It’s been an interesting transi-
tion because I’ve always been so hands on,” said
Edwards, whose firm, Edwards Bradley, is based
ike all accounting professionals, CPA in Portland, Ore., and in North Carolina. “I could
financial planners have seen changes brought usually see their space, see how they interacted,
L on by the COVID-19 pandemic. They had to their body language, how their homes look —
adapt to working with clients in new ways, such as basically see whether their lifestyle correlates with
meeting with them virtually rather than in person. the data they provided.”
Many turned to remote work, and some added Though many planners have resumed in-person
remote staff from outside their geographical area. meetings, firms shouldn’t overlook the opportuni-
Firms also saw clients alter their personal and ties that remote technology brings. Clients,

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