CEO’S MESSAGE SUSAN SPEIRS, CPA
W
elcome to 2022, not to be confused with 2020, too! The last two years provided seemingly endless challenges that we’ve
turned into opportunities as we navigate the Great Resignation. Anthony Klotz, an associate professor of management at Texas A&M University, coined the term “The Great Resignation” to describe what is happening within the global workforce. Professor Klotz predicted that many would leave their jobs after the COVID pandemic and life returned to “normal.” The phenomenon began in April 2021 as the
In August 2021, we held our first Money Camp with Weber
COVID vaccine began to gain popularity. Employees grew weary of
State University. In 2022, we will work with more universities
excessively demanding bosses and tone-deaf organizations that
to create their own programs to introduce students to the
refused to pay well and took advantage of staff.
profession. DEI committee: During our strategic planning process,
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We’re seeing the same thing in our accounting profession. There are
we learned that our members want to understand more
many reasons for the great accounting resignation. Many surveys
about diversity, equity and inclusivity and how they relate to
and research indicate that the main reason CPAs are leaving the
a better business model. Our DEI committee is moving at
workforce in droves is because younger people don’t see the value in
warp speed to understand our members’ needs. You have
the very skewed work life that comes with being a CPA. Tax season
received a survey from the committee that will help them as
has become more stressful than ever over the past few years with
they strategize your needs. We encourage you to take the
last-minute legislation. With the pandemic, accounting, in general,
survey.
has taken on a whole new monstrous workload as we navigate new
Student/educator conference: With changes coming to the
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business models, governmental funding, reporting on funding and
CPA Exam, we’re committed to our campus ambassadors
a remote workforce. Our younger members ask themselves if the
and educators. Our goal is to help students prepare to sit for
challenges of the profession are worth 80-plus hour workweeks,
the exam at 120 hours and so that educators understand
salary shortfalls, and the inability to spend time with their families.
the new model to better prepare students.
To combat challenges, we continue to work on initiatives to grow our
Mentoring: In January 2022, we will be rolling out a
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workforce and help us understand our own needs in the profession: •
mentorship program. Members at every level have expressed a need for a mentor. We encourage you to
Pipeline: We know we have a shrinking workforce that
volunteer to mentor. Mentorship is a proven practice where
will continue to decrease due to an aging population and
participants on both sides gain valuable insights and learn
decrease in college students. We continue to work with our
to develop strong relationships.
colleges and universities to create programs to encourage high school students to become accounting majors.
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This will be a year of more learning and opportunities. Happy New Year! n
THE JOURNAL ENTRY |
WINTER 2022
