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PERSONAL FINANCIAL PLANNING

Though many very heavily into technology, both with time and
money, because at the end of the day, it allows us
planners have resumed to provide a better client experience, and it allows
us to use our time more efficiently,” he said.
When Astrinos started his company almost five
in-person meetings, firms years ago, he didn’t want to be tied to an office,
which, he said, meant being intentional about
shouldn’t overlook the choosing technology that works together seam-
lessly. As remote work has become more com-
mon, Astrinos recommends investing in strong
opportunities that remote cybersecurity software and good communication
technology. He also suggests choosing a project
management software or customer relationship
technology brings. management software that makes it easy to track
your projects and organize your data.
Remote technology can also help with staffing.
Thanks to advances in video technology, L.K.
Benson & Company in Baltimore has hired
remote employees from other parts of the United
Edwards said, are now adept at and comfortable States — giving the firm an advantage in the com-
with working remotely. It’s possible to take a petitive labor market, said principal Chris Benson,
hybrid approach to engagements, meeting with CPA/PFS. The firm now has nine employees.
clients in person or virtually depending on what’s Similarly, communications software allowed
most convenient and comfortable for them, Edwards to bring on a partner, Sarah Bradley,
or to take on clients from outside your CPA/PFS, who lives on the opposite side of the
geographical area. country. “Being able to do things by video, it’s
Increasing your use of remote technology been such a blessing,” he said.
may help you bring on more clients, and not just
younger ones. Regardless of their generation, TAKE STOCK OF YOUR LONG-TERM PLANS
clients expect access to online tools that allow The stressors of the past two years have caused
them to check their financial progress and easily many people to rethink what’s important to
connect with their advisers, said Mark Astrinos, them — clients and CPAs alike. Firms can benefit
CPA/PFS, president and founder of Libra Wealth. by focusing on a niche or a certain type of client,
Astrinos is based in Silicon Valley, where a high said Michael Goodman, CPA/PFS, president and
level of personal service is expected, and he founder of Wealthstream Advisors in New York
leverages technology to help provide it. “I invest City. His firm, which has 23 employees, places

IN BRIEF

■ The pandemic led to the extra care to preserve the growing. Others have ■ Due to the rapid pace
rapid adoption of remote relationships with clients chosen to downsize their of change and the fact
technology. CPA financial when meeting with them practices or focus more on that clients are able to
planners can capitalize on remotely. niches. access financial planning
this trend by expanding ■ Many firms are rethinking ■ In a tight labor market, information on the internet,
their client bases and their goals in the wake of CPA financial planners are CPA financial planners
recruiting staff outside the pandemic. Some have placing increased emphasis are finding it necessary to
their geographical areas. seen increased demand on cultivating a positive continually learn in both
CPAs might need to take for their services and are culture at their firms. formal and informal ways.

To comment on this article or to suggest an idea for another article, contact Courtney Vien at Courtney.Vien@aicpa-cima.com or
919-402-4125.

18 | Journal of Accountancy April 2022