Message to Our Membership We are more than 12 months into a pandemic that has upended the CPA profession in a way that did not seem fathomable at the beginning of 2020. While this time has been filled with uncertainty, new challenges, and drastic shifts in the tools and ways in which we work, our CPA community continues to show incredible strength and resilience as we adapt to the new normal. While you’ve been shifting to serve families, businesses, and your industries during this pandemic, we too have been rapidly shifting to address the most important needs of you, our member. Though we have not been able to meet in person in more than a year, we have been able to preserve, and even expand, WSCPA’s core programs and services. Below you can find a summary of the changes we have made so far in response to the pandemic.
Pivoting to your greatest needs At the onset of the pandemic impact, WSCPA quickly aligned advocacy efforts to focus on the needs of CPAs. During the first few weeks we appealed to Governor Inslee to include accounting and financial services in the list of essential services, ensuring CPA firms could continue to advise and serve clients and businesses. In addition, we joined the AICPA and other state associations in advocating to extend the tax filing deadline. As shifting information and new directives came through with lightning speed regarding Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans, Employee Retention Credits, stimulus guidelines, phases, and vaccinations, the WSCPA responded with critical updates to members through digital communications, our COVID-19 Business Resource Center and Resource Group. Our Education team also released 8 pop-up CPE webinars providing just-in-time content to help members advise their clients and organizations on how to take advantage of the PPP loans, apply for forgiveness, and more. To help ease the financial burden of members and small firms, the WSCPA extended the membership term for all members by three months and supported several members with hardship and unemployment dues discounts. In addition, we reduced prices on live CPE seminars and conferences—both of which were offered virtually—to reduce barriers to licensing requirements and critical information and updates. To help members grapple with the challenges of the pandemic, isolation, and burnout, we launched a new Mental Health Resource Center for CPAs.
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The Washington CPA Spring 2021
www.wscpa.org
