Last week marked the beginning of a monthly e-meeting with INAA members from across the globe to share insights and discuss topics that we planned to tackle at the rescheduled members meeting in Montreal.
Supporting our members, protecting their safety, and maintaining a positive mentality across the INAA community is our #1 priority. On Tuesday 12th of May 2020, we successfully gathered 48 participants from over 20 countries via a remote video call to discuss the best route forward in these challenging times.
It was fantastic to catch up with familiar faces and experience the same sense of camaraderie and international collaboration that makes INAA so special.
We asked each participant to share their ideas and internal updates across three topics:
- What are the biggest challenges your firm has faced since the COVID-19 outbreak?
- What steps have you taken throughout the pandemic to benefit your firm and/or your clients?
- What actions will you be taking over the next three months to minimise the negative impacts of the COVID-19 on your firm?
So, let’s take a look at some of the key talking points from the first e-meeting:
Safety First
After discussing the above in-depth, it is clear that protecting the safety of employees and clients is at the front of everyone’s mind. All of our members are working around the clock to help clients access the appropriate government support in each country and provide advice as they adapt to new working conditions.
Adapting To Virtual Communication
While remote working has posed a new set of challenges for many accounting firms, our members are making the most of virtual collaboration platforms and video conferencing to maintain strong communication across their teams.
Supporting Client Relations
Shariq Contractor, from CNK & Associates LLP, explains the importance of “short-term pains for long-term gains” to provide a personal service for clients. Our members see an opportunity to win future work from the ‘Big Four’ who can’t deliver the same intimacy as their mid-sized counterparts.
Virtual Clients
Almost all participants emphasised the opportunity to focus on training their staff throughout the pandemic to upskill their teams and prepare them for the road ahead. While junior training remains a challenge for many firms, they’re working to find alternative approaches to prioritise learning across their organisations.
Overall, it was extremely encouraging to hear how the INAA community is working together through these difficult times and adapting to new challenges to build a brighter tomorrow. We hope to run a monthly e-meeting for the foreseeable future to share ideas and move forward as a united force for good.
In the meantime, stay safe and keep up-to-date with the latest conversations on the INAA Members Forum.