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Reimagine productivity: Self-care moments

Post author By FFC
Post date March 10, 2020

Reimagine productivity: Self-care moments

When work gets busy or stressful, the little things we do to make ourselves feel good are often the first activities to fall by the wayside. At a time when every minute at the office feels precious, spending some time enjoying a good meal, taking a walk or listening to music can seem like a frivolous and selfish gesture. As paradoxical as it sounds though, foregoing these small pleasures, which are gestures of self-care, can actually have a negative impact on our work. When you don’t care for yourself, your mood, productivity and quality of work are all likely to suffer. Additionally, you may not show up to work with the desired energy to share with those around you. Regardless of when your “busy” time of year is, it’s important not to lose sight of your needs as a person.

Carving out a little time for self-care every day can be hugely beneficial. To accomplish this feat, you need to understand what self-care is, why it’s important and how to implement it in your daily routine.

Self-care vs. self-help

Self-care has become an increasingly popular term associated with everyone from Marie Kondo to Jonathan Van Ness, but it’s not always super well-defined. There is no single school of self-care nor any particular set of behaviors that constitute caring for yourself. For some, self-care involves limiting social media time, while others find self-care in a trip to the day spa. Aisha Harris of Slate broadly defines it as “the concept of consciously tending to one’s own well-being.”

It’s also important to define what self-care isn’t. Self-help programs usually have an end goal in mind for you, whether it’s making you “highly effective,” teaching you how to “win friends” or helping you harness “the power of now.” By contrast, self-care is about enjoying the moment for what it is. There should be no drudgery whatsoever in the act of self-care. As Kate Carraway writes in The New York Times, “If self-help is about fixing something, self-care thinks you’re already great.”

Why self-care matters

Practicing self-care will benefit you professionally. It can help minimize burnout, increase team member engagement and even boost productivity. The simple fact is that we cannot divorce our personal selves from our professional selves. What we do outside of the office—from sleep to nutrition and beyond—affects what we’re like at work.

It’s a common response to shun self-care tactics when we get stressed, especially during busier cycles at work. The reasoning seems sound: “If I devote less time to myself and more to work, my stress will go down,” you say to yourself. But it never works, because to have a clear head, be our most productive and perform well, we need to care for ourselves. Studies show, for example, that students who eat breakfast do better on standardized tests. That’s a perfect illustration of the link between self-care and performance.

Building self-care into your day

Understanding the importance of self-care is one thing, but putting it into practice can be a more difficult task. Odds are many of you reading this blog have developed lifelong habits of ignoring self-care during stressful times. Rewiring your behavior doesn’t happen overnight, but if you make a conscious effort to incorporate self-care into your day, you’ll start to see the upside almost immediately.

When it comes to making time for self-care, a little goes a long way. Taking five minutes after a meeting to center yourself and focus on your breathing is an act of self-care. Clocking out, either literally or figuratively, for 15 minutes to enjoy a cup of tea is too. It really doesn’t take much time to release one experience of a meeting or intensive work so that you can be fresh for your next task. If you take these moments to pause, you can handle external pressures in a healthier way.

My 3 Favorite Workplace Self-Care Activities

All of these beneficial behaviors can be completed in under five minutes, making them ideal for integrating into your workday.

#1: Meditate – Modern apps like Headspace and Calm make it easy to practice mindfulness meditation effectively no matter how much time you have. If you don’t wish to meditate, consider taking a break and listening to music or reading an article or a book.

#2: Eat a healthy, delicious snack – Eating healthy doesn’t have to be something done only for nutritional benefit. Almost all of us have preferred snacks we can enjoy guilt-free. Taking a second to really savor that yogurt and berries, rather than mindlessly consuming it for calories alone, is a simple pleasure.

#3: Go for a walk – Walking regularly and grabbing some fresh air is among the best ways to reset. You can even consider turning a meeting with one of your staff into a walk and chat, rather than sitting in an office. Watch how much more productive you can be when moving and solving problems.

Larger acts of self-care can also be a part of your lifestyle. One of the most important is setting appropriate boundaries at work for how you manage your time. We’re all tempted to say yes to everything we’re asked to do, but that can overwhelm us in a hurry. Understanding that you’re only human and have limits will keep you from burning the candle at both ends. Not everything is a priority, so it’s important to determine what has to be done today versus what can be done tomorrow or later so that you can get the time you need to refuel. Watching what you eat, getting enough rest, and going to the doctor are also part of a healthy self-care routine. Ignoring your own needs may seem like a prudent move at the time, but it never is in the long run. No matter how chaotic busy season gets, you have to carve out time for yourself.

The next blog in Amy’s series is working with intention to enhance productivity. It will post March 25. And be sure to check out Amy’s podcast on making time for self-care (a short, free registration might be necessary).

Amy Vetter, CPA.CITP, CGMA, MBA, is the CEO of The B³ Method^® Institute and Drishtiq Yoga, a top inspirational keynote speaker, corporate board member, author, and host of the podcast: Breaking Beliefs. As a CPA and Yogi — who specializes in Technology Innovation – Amy is a motivational and inspiring speaker. She provides a refreshingly new perspective that inspires and guides professionals on how to transform their careers and lives.

Three common challenges (and three solutions!) for women in the profession

Post author By FFC
Post date March 8, 2020

Three common challenges (and three solutions!) for women in the profession

In honor of International Women’s Day—a century-old global event that brings the world together in celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women—we look at challenges women face in the workplace and ways the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants, the unified voice of the AICPA and CIMA, can help.

Support amidst challenges

1. Find a sponsor. Sponsors can play a significant role in advancing a career. The people they know can become the people you know. They can open doors for you and introduce you to clients. They can advocate on your behalf in meetings and casual conversation and protect you from political dynamics of the workplace.

A sponsor can have a positive impact on someone’s career, but women are at a disadvantage in finding a sponsor in the workplace because a vast majority of leaders in the CPA profession are men. It is a behavioral norm for men to bond with other men in the workplace or have a connection with someone who went to the same college or grew up in the same town. This is known as affinity bias.

2. Balance work and life. Family structures have changed from having women stay at home to raise the children to one where many households are dual income. Along with the family structure, our profession must evolve and embrace flexible work arrangements. I recently spoke with a young leader who was told she cannot advance in the firm on a flexible work arrangement. Despite the progress we’ve made, we still have a long way to go to change some of the daily challenges that women in firms experience.

3. Identify role models. Visible role models are important because you cannot become what you cannot see, and inspiration brings aspiration. You have to see something to believe it. For the past 40 plus years, women have entered the profession at 47% — about an equal number to men. Yet only 23% of partners are women at CPA firms today according to AICPA surveys.

Women face great challenges in the workforce. Nonetheless, there are a few key things you can do to break through stale societal constructs:

1. Seek flexible work arrangements.

Talk to your employer about introducing programs that help to provide a work/life synergy.

Use technology — you can check work updates on your phone and still attend your child’s ballet performance instead of having to choose one over the other.

Look for employers that encourage virtual collaboration and flexible hours.

2. Create mentorship programs with a focus on gender equality.

Create a mentorship program with a focus on diversity. Have mentors and protégés assigned based on how diverse they are, or instead of allowing mentors to choose their mentees, switch it around. Create better opportunities for finding sponsors and advocates.

Facilitate networking events that are created specifically for women to see other women in positions of seniority, encouraging women to see that they have a future in the profession.

3. Attend the AICPA & CIMA Global Women’s Summit.

The summit is a chance for women to connect with amazing leaders, learn from them, share best experiences and support each other.

It’s also important for men to attend the Women’s Summit. We can collaborate about the need to keep the best talent in the profession. And to get and retain talent, we need to advocate for women and close the gender gap at the leadership level.

These are steps to overcome some of the most common challenges for women in the workplace. Each woman’s experience is unique — so are her challenges. Stay strong! Much progress has been made, but more needs to be done in the fight for equality.

Yasmine El-Ramly CPA, CGMA, Director – Governance, Association of International Certified Professional Accountants

Test your knowledge on tax extensions

Post author By FFC
Post date March 6, 2020

Test your knowledge on tax extensions

March is here, and that means it’s time to talk to your clients about possibly extending their returns. How knowledgeable are you about extensions?

Find out with this short quiz:

#1: True or false: An extension of time to file means that the tax isn’t due until the return is filed.

False.

An extension extends the time to file, but not the time to pay. If an extension is filed but taxes are ultimately owed, there will be interest and penalties charged each month that the balance isn’t paid.

Help clients understand it’s in their best interest to pay as much as possible by April 15. Check out the AICPA Tax Section’s penalties guide for more information.

#2: True or false: Extending a return makes it more likely to be audited by the IRS.

False.

This is a myth. Explain to clients that the IRS’s audit selection process is based on what is included (or not included) on the return, not when it’s filed.

Furthermore, a rushed-through return is more likely to contain mistakes. An error-riddled return — or one that’s intentionally missing information — is far more of a red flag than a carefully prepared and reviewed return that’s filed by the extended due date.

#3: Based on IRS-provided filing season statistics for 2018, what is the percentage of individual returns filed by April 15^th?

80% b) 85% c) 90% d) 95%

D – 95%.

While this may seem high, it doesn’t mean there aren’t good reasons to speak with clients about why an extension might be in their best interest. For example, there may be business returns that won’t be completed in time. Or a client may be eligible to make a self-employed individual retirement account (SEP IRA) contribution to reduce their tax liability, but lacks the immediate cash flow to fund the account before April 15.

These conversations are best held well in advance of the final deadline crunch.

#4: Based on IRS-provided filing season statistics for 2018, what is the percentage of total tax liability on returns filed by April 15^th in comparison to the total liability for all returns?

75% b) 82% c) 93% d) 65%

B – 82%.

Extended returns are typically more complex, and more complex returns usually have higher tax liabilities. This explains why the percentage of tax liability filed on April 15^th in comparison to returns actually filed is lower.

#5: True or false: Extending a tax return will result in higher professional fees.

False…generally. But for some clients, it may appear to be true.

To alleviate this concern, clearly communicate with your clients about your billing procedures. And from a workload management viewpoint, make sure additional time is not spent on the return simply because it’s being “picked up and put down” several times.

#6: In a May 2019 survey by the AICPA Tax Section, how many of our survey respondents said that they filed more extensions in the 2019 filing season than in the prior year?

75% b) 55% c) 25% d) 10%

B – 55%.

More than half of our survey respondents indicated they filed more extensions in the 2019 tax season than in the previous year. This was largely due to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act legislation, and delayed guidance related to it.

You may have had clients who had never filed an extension before. Hopefully, it was a positive experience and you can discuss whether it makes sense to continue filing an extension.

#7: How many states/districts require a separate extension form to be filed (even if no payment is due)?

0 b) 2 c) 4 d) 5

C – 4 (Delaware, District of Columbia, Vermont and New York).

Most states accept either the federal extension or allow an automatic extension to file, if no payment is due. Find more information on state requirements from the State Tax Guide for Individuals, a resource available to Tax Section members.

#8: True or false: If a client is extending their return, it makes sense for them to wait to send you their information.

False.

Make sure your clients understand the importance of delivering their information as soon as possible —preferably organized, and not one page at a time (if you haven’t had a client do this yet, count yourself lucky).

Add information in your client organizer to address this issue. Explain why the timely delivery of all materials will benefit them. For example, the client will get more advance notice on whether they need to make a payment on April 15.

How did you do?

Give yourself one point for every correct answer.

1 point = Might need to think about night school.

2-4 points = Maybe next year?

5-6 points = Mediocrity is for the birds.

7 points = So close, but we all can’t be perfect.

8 points = You’re a tax season rockstar!

Parting thoughts

Filing extensions for clients certainly helps smooth the workload. Be sure that you have established good procedures with your staff and clients related to deadlines and extensions.

For clients who are unsure about an extension, ease their minds by sending them the handy FAQs in the Tax Practitioner’s Marketing Toolkit.

April Walker, CPA, CGMA, Lead Manager – Tax Practice & Ethics, Association of International Certified Professional Accountants

What the emergency Fed rate cut means for your finances

Post author By FFC
Post date March 4, 2020

What the emergency Fed rate cut means for your finances

As a result of increasing fears about the impact the coronavirus may have on the U.S. economy, the Federal Reserve announced an emergency cut to the target range for the federal funds rate of 0.5%. The new target rate is now 1% to 1.25%. This reflects the largest rate decrease in more than a decade and the first emergency cut since 2008.

Most Americans are primarily focused on the health and wellbeing of themselves and their loved ones during this time of uncertainty, and rightfully so. But it’s important not to overlook how the Federal Reserve announcement may impact their financial wellbeing.

Neal Stern, CPA, member of the AICPA’s National CPA Financial Literacy Commission, spoke with AICPA Insights about what the rate cut means for Americans’ finances.

James Schiavone: What does yesterday’s rate cut announcement from the Federal Reserve mean for the average American?

Neal Stern: For many Americans, the recent rate cut by the Fed affects the interest rates they pay on credit cards, adjustable rate mortgages and other loans, as well as the rates earned on savings, because consumer rates are often linked directly or indirectly to the Fed’s rate.

A rate cut is often good news for people who carry credit card balances or adjustable rate mortgages, since their interest charges will typically decline. On the other hand, it’s not such good news for those with savings accounts and investments like money market funds, where interest earnings are likely to decline as banks reduce their rates.

It’s important to note that the Fed lowers and raises rate based on how it sees the economy at a given time. For example, rates were increased by 0.25% seven times in 2017–2018, after several years of historically low rates after the financial crisis. 2019 saw three rate decreases of 0.25%.

Americans can take steps to maximize the benefits of lower borrowing rates, protect their savings and investment earnings from further rate cuts, and prepare for the uncertainty of where rates may move over time.

JS: What should people who have outstanding debt in the form of credit cards or loans do in response to the rate cut?

NS: If you’re in the process of paying off a credit card balance, check your statement to see if your card has a variable interest rate, which is likely to decline in response to a Fed rate cut. With lower interest charges, you can pay off your balance more quickly just by maintaining the same payment you made before, since more of your payment will knock down what you owe.

It also may be a good time to shop around for lower rates, since card issuers can compete for your business by passing along the lower rates in balance transfer and other offers. Be sure to understand the terms and any fees involved.

If you have an adjustable rate mortgage or home equity loan, you may see your payments decline due to the rate cut. That’s a great opportunity to use the savings to increase your 401(k) contribution at work, especially if you’re not already taking full advantage of your employer’s matching.

If you plan to stay in your home for more than a few years, it may be worthwhile to check into conversion to a fixed rate mortgage. Interest rates may be initially higher, but you can enjoy the certainty of stable payments without concern about future rate changes, helping you manage your budget and work toward long-term goals.

JS: On the flip side, what are some of the implications for people who have money in a savings account or invested in other assets?

NS: If your bank lowers the interest rate on your savings account, it pays to shop around, including a look at online banks and credit unions that compete for your funds.

You may also want to consider investing some of your money, over what you’ve set aside for emergencies, in a “ladder” arrangement — for example, CD’s that mature in 6, 12, 18 and 24 months. This may get you higher rates than standard savings accounts and helps protect your earnings from future rate cuts. Be aware of any penalties that may apply if you need to withdraw money before the maturity dates.

JS: The Fed attributed this rate decreases to the evolving risks to economic activity due to coronavirus, saying it was done in support of their goals, including price stability. Can you explain the impact of the federal fund rate and the interest rate upon prices?

NS: The Fed makes rate changes as a tool to support the health of the economy, as well as to help manage the risks of inflation. Interest rates are one factor, but not the only ingredient, in driving prices of goods, services and investments.

While lower rates may help price stability by reducing borrowing costs, other factors like supply disruptions and travel restrictions can have an impact as well. Especially in a time of elevated uncertainty, it pays to keep your long-term goals and risk tolerance in mind when making financial decisions.

A qualified financial adviser, such as a CPA financial planner, can help you develop a long-term plan that fits your situation.

JS: Over the past week or so, there have been big swings in the market as investors react to evolving news on the coronavirus and the rate cut announcement. Should investors look at these swings as an opportunity to make money buying and selling stocks quickly?

NS: It’s difficult to predict how the market will react to the rate cut over the coming weeks, or other developments that may come into play. While rate cuts have stimulated economic activity and markets in the past, we’re still living with the same causes for concern that triggered recent volatility like potential supply shortages and disruptions to some businesses and industries.

Trying to predict market timing or substituting headline driven emotions for a solid long-term plan based on your goals and risk tolerance can put your financial future in jeopardy.

James Schiavone, Sr. Manager – Public Relations, Association of International Certified Professional Accountants.

Reimagine productivity: Eat better, work smarter

Post author By FFC
Post date March 2, 2020

Reimagine productivity: Eat better, work smarter

The link between nutrition and workplace performance

In his 1825 book The Physiology of Taste, Jean-Anthelme Brillat-Savarin provides a series of aphorisms “to serve as a preamble to his work and a lasting foundation for the science of gastronomy.” The most famous, “Tell me what you eat, and I shall tell you what you are,” has even been condensed into a cliché you’ve heard countless times: You are what you eat. Clichés are clichés for a reason, of course. In the case of this one, science has only found more evidence linking nutrition to all aspects of health, including work performance.

During busy season, it’s easy lose track of the fuel you put into your body. You may skip meals entirely or grab whatever’s convenient to just keep plowing ahead. But opting for junk, skipping meals or eating erratically will decrease your efficiency, spoil your mood and hamper the quality of work. Instead, be mindful of what you eat, when you eat it and build nutrition into your day to ensure your brain functions at its best.

Garbage in, garbage out

In computer science, the acronym GIGO (garbage in, garbage out) refers to the notion that if inputs are bad, outputs will be too. The same principle is true with nutrition. We’re just beginning to grapple with all the implications of our industrial food culture. But it’s clear that our eating habits have a ton of room for improvement. Where to start?

There are a lot of fad diets. But there’s also some common-sense advice that will improve your diet quickly and easily. Professor and author Michael Pollan recommends three no-nonsense pieces of guidance to transform your eating habits: Eat food, not too much and mostly plants. “Today, much of the challenge of eating well comes down to choosing real food and avoiding industrial novelties,” he writes at the outset of Food Rules: An Eater’s Manual, a short and practical guide to improving your shopping and eating habits.

Some people keep tabs on macros, meal planning and doing other levels of advanced nutritional tracking. While all of these activities are valid pursuits, they’re not essential to eating more mindfully and healthfully. Skip heavily processed foods with words you don’t recognize in the ingredient lists and opt for fruits, veggies, whole grains and lean proteins. It’s not intimidating or complex advice, and it works. The easiest way to start is to eliminate sugary beverages, which are the definition of empty calories.

Eat early and often

In the same way that it’s beneficial to work in concert with your natural productivity rhythm, it’s helpful to eat alongside it as well. The easiest and most impactful way to do that is by eating breakfast. Starting your day with a nutritious meal has benefits for energy levels, mood, productivity and, believe it or not, weight loss. Skipping breakfast starts your day on the wrong foot. Those extra few minutes in bed are not worth the tradeoff.

Healthy snacking is another excellent way to keep your blood sugar levels consistent and your energy at its peak. Most nutritionists recommend eating small meals and snacks throughout the day rather than relying on three square meals. Rounding out your meal intake minimizes the difference between your highest and lowest glucose levels and thereby keeps energy levels from fluctuating too severely. If you are eating breakfast before you get to work, followed by having a mid-morning snack, lunch and maybe another bite in the mid-afternoon, you won’t find yourself so weary come quitting time.

The final piece of the puzzle is staying hydrated at all times. You can find an excellent infographic here that details some of the ways hydration affects our health and productivity. There are a number of apps that can help prompt you to hydrate.

You can’t outwork a bad diet.

Your diet is fundamental to the way you do your job. At a time of year when you’re likely tempted to skip lunch, grab breakfast from a drive-through or rely on little more than coffee to get you through the day, it’s essential to remember how nutrition, productivity and wellness are connected. If you don’t eat well, you’ll perform worse. It’s that simple.

Eating may seem unrelated to your overall productivity and performance, but it’s actually intrinsically linked. Ignoring your nutrition won’t make more time for work; it will only make your work more stressful and less effective.

A better eating schedule

Wake-up routine

Drink a glass of water as soon as possible upon waking.

Eat a nutritious breakfast that includes fruits and vegetables, as well as either healthy fats or whole grains. (Smoothies are great when you’re crunched for time.)

Drink a cup of coffee if you want, or alternatively, a cup of green tea.

Pro tip: Drinking coffee after you’ve had water and while you’re having breakfast will make you both less likely to skip a meal and less dependent on caffeine.

Eating at work

Have healthy snacks readily available so you are not tempted to eat empty calories. Almonds, bananas, carrot sticks and other easy-to-eat whole foods make great snacks.

Eat a mid-morning snack before you’re starving. If you start to feel hunger pangs, odds are your performance is already suffering.

If possible, eat lunch away from your desk. You will eat better if you don’t rush through your meal in front of your workstation.

Bring a reusable water bottle and fill it up throughout the day. Your number of trips to the water fountain will let you know how much you’re hydrating.

Dinner for winners

Avoid convenience meals that feel like a relief after a hard day. You may get that burger in five seconds, but you’ll later pay the price.

When you can, cook at home. It will instantly eliminate additives in your food and get you more engaged in your nutrition.

Avoid eating two hours before bedtime or later. Digestion will disrupt your sleep pattern.

The next blog in Amy’s series deals with taking moments to yourself to enhance productivity. It will post March 10. And be sure to check out Amy’s podcast, a meditation on coming from a heart-centered place to help you grow productivity with better energy for yourself and those around you.

Amy Vetter, CPA.CITP, CGMA, MBA, is the CEO of The B³ Method^® Institute and Drishtiq Yoga, a top inspirational keynote speaker, corporate board member, author, and host of the podcast: Breaking Beliefs. As a CPA and Yogi — who specializes in technology innovation – Amy is a motivational and inspiring speaker. She provides a refreshingly new perspective that inspires and guides professionals on how to transform their careers and lives.

Promoting diversity and inclusion for 50 years and counting

Post author By FFC
Post date February 28, 2020

Promoting diversity and inclusion for 50 years and counting

At the National Association of Black Accountants, Inc. (NABA), we are celebrating our 50th anniversary of challenge, achievement, success and survival in the diversity and inclusion (D&I) arena. Our business model continues to mature. We honor and salute our partner, the AICPA, for its dedication to the D&I mission.

By 2045, the United States will be significantly more diverse. The U.S. Census projects that more than 50% of the population will be non-white: 24.6% Hispanic, 13.1% black, 7.9% Asian and 3.8% multiracial. Slightly more than 49% of the population will be white.

Yet corporations still struggle to determine how they can increase diversity in the workforce and define success for their initiatives. I recently discussed D&I in accounting with Barry Melancon, CPA, CGMA, President & CEO of the American Institute of CPAs. Our conversation covered the D&I business imperative and how firms can move further along on the inclusion maturity model. Below are some highlights.

Diversity makes firms stronger and more competitive

Some firms continue to view diversity as a “nice to have,” not a “need to have.” However, in today’s marketplace, it is no longer simply a nicety. Firms are competing on a global level at increasing rates, serving a wide range of clients who expect that diversity is a priority for their vendors. And as economic leaders in communities around the world, firms must reflect a global culture, not just a national or regional one.

In addition to increasing the relevance of different markets, integrating (pun intended) D&I into recruiting efforts strengthens a firm’s culture. It increases the talent pool and innovation. These recruiting efforts must also extend beyond entry-level and into leadership positions.

Three steps to increase D&I in your firm

Understanding where your firm sits within the Accounting Inclusion Maturity Model is key to its evolution. A lot of firms have reached the stage where they understand the importance of diversity and inclusion, but struggle to implement it. Here are three ways to move the needle:

Increase diversity in recruitment efforts.

Recruit graduates from historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs), or institutions that are known for having a high population of minority accounting students. Tailor recruiting messaging to address the needs and desires of varying cultures.

To source talent at all levels, partner with organizations such as NABA, the Association of Latino Professionals for America (ALPFA), and Ascend and National Council of Philippine American Canadian Accountants (NCPACA).

Introduce candid conversations about diversity.

Talk about goals for your organization to become more diverse. Listen to varying perspectives to add another level and move toward actual solutions.

Conversations lead to progress — by leaps and bounds or by baby steps. Conversations are productive when there is a shared goal and team members have positive intention.

Sign the CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion pledge.

Make your commitment known by signing the largest CEO-driven commitment to advance D&I within the workplace. This initiative encourages business leaders to have imperative conversations, and signing the pledge lets your staff and job applicants know that you value diversity and inclusion.

A bold and bright future

Some people in the majority may argue that many organizations have adopted D&I as a practice, so the need for these efforts has lessened. However, while many companies have a more diverse workforce than they did 50 years ago, there is still progress to be made. Leadership positions are still predominantly held by white men. Advancement, promotion and retention of people of color diversifies and strengthens the work place and needs to be a goal of companies.

The AICPA is host for the Accounting Profession Diversity Symposium, May 13–14 in New Orleans, LA. It is an annual event open to accounting educators and professionals to learn how to build a culture of diversity and inclusion in firms, grow the pipeline of minority CPAs and improve recruitment, retention, and advancement.

Walter J. Smith, CPA, is President and Chief Executive Officer of the National Association of Black Accountants, Inc. (NABA) and serves on the AICPA’s National Commission on Diversity & Inclusion.

Let’s face it—relationships are hard. No matter how smitten you may be, being with someone takes hard work, hard conversations and hard commitments. Some fish in the sea are softening these blows by choosing partners who compliment—and complement them.

Fortunately, finance professionals are so well-rounded that their skill sets are likely an asset in every relationship. If you’re splashing around in the dating pool, here are seven reasons you should tag a finance professional as your next partner.

1. They pay attention to detail.

Finance professionals make their living paying attention to the little things. And being paid to be detail-oriented means you can rest assured that your finance boo will notice that new haircut, that new nail color or that new beard trim. They’ll audit your taste and take note of all the quirks that make you, you.

Renowned for tailoring their services to clients’ needs, expect your finance professional to be emotionally intelligent, understand your love language and continuously work at fulfilling your needs—even those you didn’t know you had.

2. You’ll never have to calculate the tip.

What’s 20% of $74.28? Good news: you’re off the hook. After the plates are cleared, it’s your time to get up, stretch, go to the restroom or find the car keys. Because by the time you’ve unlocked your phone and found your calculator app, your human TI-85 has corrected the tax calculation, figured out 20% and rounded up the amount for convenience. Finally! You can officially skip the embarrassing math quiz at the end of each dinner date and focus on dreaming about the leftovers. That’s real love right there.

3. Consistency? Check. Stability and security? Check and check.

Some people think accounting is all about routines. This may be right. And while routines may come with their own set of caveats, one thing they do remarkably well is create consistency. And consistency yields results.

Who wants to date the person who’s hot and cold? Relationships don’t thrive that way. They thrive when you stay the course through the ups and the downs—the peaks and the recessions. When someone is consistent, she/he provides a sense of stability that makes your feel secure enough to be vulnerable—to grow and get comfortable at the same time.

4. They know work-life balance.

You won’t have to worry about finance bae getting too clingy, especially during tax season. Whether they’re offering sound business advice, filing people’s taxes or running audits, finance professionals dedicate their workdays to their clients’ goals and happiness. For their partner, that means ample amounts of “me time” and space. But don’t worry, finance professionals know all about balance. They can multitask like no other, so you won’t have to worry about feeling neglected either.

5. They’re great under pressure.

Relationships will be tested. You know who’s passed quite a few tests in their lives? You guessed it. Accountants.

Acquiring CPA or CGMA credentials means passing a series of tests. It means being extremely familiar with pressure. And let’s not forget the intensity and stress that comes with tax season! You probably want to date someone who will be able to weather the many storms of life. Finance professionals are used to performing and excelling under all types of pressure. Expect accountants to rise to the occasion. During inevitable trying times, you’ll wish you had a partner with this agile mindset and killer soft skills.

6. Guess who’s handling the taxes?

I’ll give you one guess. It rhymes with money. That’s right, when tax time comes around, your honey could offer you support and file on your behalf. Or your fiscal flame could make a sound recommendation to another tax professional. Or they could try to let you do your own taxes and risk jail time due to misfiling., but since I strongly doubt your significant other wants to spend Valentine’s Day matching palm sizes with you through a bulletproof windowpane, it’s safe to say, if you date an accounting guru, you can comfortably put your feet up when tax season comes.

7. You can trust them.

If you don’t have trust, you have nothing. After medical professionals and teachers, accountants are most likely to know the intimate details about our lives—our secrets even. Clients trust their accountants to advise on the toughest decisions when it comes to investments, assets and other financial matters. Depending on the magnitude of what an accountant does, clients could even be trusting them with their freedom. If their clients can trust them with their entire lives, you can do the same with your heart.

Few people will understand your worth like a finance pro, so if you feel like you’re drowning in the dating pool, come up for air and come to your senses. Try dating an accountant.

Mballa Mendouga, Communications — Manager, Corporation Social Responsibility & Campaigns, Association of International Certified Professional Accountants

Geben Sie Ihrem Körper Energie und wecken Sie Ihren Geist – kein Koffein erforderlich.

Post author By deived
Post date February 12, 2020

Geben Sie Ihrem Körper Energie und wecken Sie Ihren Geist – kein Koffein erforderlich.

Mentale Vorbereitung

Haben Sie einfach einen Spielplan für Ihren Lauf. Verstehen Sie, wo Sie sich im Schema Ihres gesamten Trainingsprogramms befinden, das Ziel für den Tag und wie Ihnen das Erreichen dieses Ziels auf lange Sicht helfen wird (Wortspiel beabsichtigt). Konzentrieren Sie sich wie beim Aufwärmen auf einen oder zwei Aspekte zur Verbesserung (z. B. Haltung, Atmung, Tempo, Schrittfrequenz/-länge).

Zusammenfassend lässt sich sagen, dass Sie vor dem Laufen an Ihren Buchstützen arbeiten – mit anderen Worten, Ihre Gelenke durch einen größeren als normalen Bewegungsbereich, durch verschiedene Bewegungsebenen und Geschwindigkeiten führen.

News

It’s not too late to resolve to improve

Post author By FFC
Post date February 7, 2020

It’s not too late to resolve to improve

The first month of the year is over and, for several reasons, I’ve not committed to any goals in 2020. Has that happened to you? I always try to set goals around learning — one for fun and one to enhance my career. Let’s apply that adage, “It’s better late than never.”

The digital revolution has changed my communications profession. Dedication to learning is not optional. It’s mandatory for me to keep up. As a CPA, you are also in a constant race to outpace change. Technological developments fuel workplace changes and challenge you to stay on top of every skill set. To thrive in the digital era, you need to “unlearn” some old routines and develop some new (and unexpected) skills and competencies. Here are four resolutions every CPA should consider this year:

1. Prioritize learning.

I can’t stress this enough. Your relevance largely depends on whether you remain up to speed with the technologies that are transforming the profession — automation, data analytics, blockchain and artificial intelligence, just to name a few. Merely knowing about these technologies is not enough. You also need to understand how to apply that knowledge to bring your firm or organization greater value. To do this, you must remain a student — a perpetual learner. That means seeking out, ingesting and internalizing new technologies and ways of doing things. Find ways to infuse learning into your workday — by listening to a podcast on the way to work or facilitating workshops at your company. You can also commit to participating in a specific number of webinars, self-study options or conferences. ENGAGE, our largest annual learning event, is a great way to check off a few of these goals in a few days. If you set a goal of tackling one or two of these per quarter and evaluate your knowledge base at the end of the year, it’s highly likely you’ll be an even greater asset to any team by 2021. Since advising is the future of the profession, absorbing knowledge takes top precedence.

2. Automate repetitive and tedious tasks.

It’s important to learn how to increase the efficiency of your practice or business. Starting this in 2020 means you may already be too late, so it’s essential to do it by the end of the year. It’s time to move away from the tedious and laborious tasks. That’s so 1990s. Say hello to robotic process automation: the code to your future as an adviser. Although automating age-old practices may seem daunting for large organizations, it’s easier than you’d think. More importantly, it will free you to do even more learning and important tasks. That way, you can innovate, plan, strategize and lead organizations that place their financial well-being in your hands.

3. Take a mental break.

With the overwhelming rise of new technologies that improve our work and personal lives, it’s easy to get attached to the devices that control them. That’s right: Our laptops, mobile phones and other devices can make it hard to separate ourselves from demands and the connected world. Ultimately, an inability to disconnect can contribute to all types of pressures or stresses in professional and personal relationships. It can also affect your health and your work productivity. In 2020, vow to mindfully use technology. This practice encourages select and intentional use of technological devices so that you take fulfilling work breaks that make you more productive in the long run. Mindful technology use also highlights the importance of learning to be present in every moment, especially shared moments, to keep interpersonal relationships fruitful and healthy.

4. Nurture your network.

In today’s digitally connected world, we can forget that it starts and ends with people. Building and fostering your network is one of the best ways to set yourself up for career success. Make it a goal to reconnect with at least one professional contact every week. It can be as simple as sending them a short email or LinkedIn message asking how they are and how they’re enjoying working for their current firm or company. When you’re at conferences and events, commit to introducing yourself to a certain number of new people. You never know where those connections will lead. And if you’re ready for the next career challenge, be sure to check out our newly launched Association of International Certified Professional Accountants Global Career Hub, combining the strengths of the AICPA® and CIMA® to bring you a great resource. You’ll see the latest global management and public accounting jobs and access free career resources.

Make 2020 your year.

Don’t let technological changes put you at a disadvantage. You can meet the workplace obstacles that change creates on equal footing if you commit to the four resolutions listed above. Then watch 2020 become the year you get firsthand 20/20 insight into what it means to succeed in the digital age.

Tammy Atkins, Lead Manager – Integrated Communications, Association of International Certified Professional Accountants