Disruptors Wiley, Deshayes, Satterley, Etienne, Penczak and Vanover offer their takes on staffing in the accounting profession.
By Amy Welch
In a post-pandemic gig economy, the rest of the world laments the staffing crisis. However, while the solutions may not be easy, they seem to be pretty simple.
In the CPA Trendlines Disruptors one-on-one interview series with Liz Farr, some of the profession’s most innovative thinkers suggest solutions ranging from re-examining your firm’s culture to tapping into two-year colleges for new talent. Here, several weigh in on what they see as the potential answers to one of the most troubling issues in the accounting profession.
After years in public accounting, Chris Ortega decided he wanted something different.
The Indianapolis native knew he wanted to be an accountant when Sarbanes Oxley was making headlines and accountants were in high demand. “Also,” Ortega said, “I always loved numbers.”
He continued, “I started the first six years of my career in both public and corporate accounting then moved into finance and FP&A while getting my MBA.”
Armed with his MBA in corporate finance from the University of Indianapolis and a stellar resume, Ortega said something was missing.
“After 17 plus years of experience in accounting, FP&A, finance and leadership, I felt there needed to be a fresh perspective on finance,” he said. “So, that is why I started Fresh FP&A, which is Fresh Perspective on Financial Partnership & Advising.”
And, while many business owners start with dreams and plans, Ortega said his company operates with six key pillars in mind.
“Think of it as the foundation of a house,” Ortega explained.
Prior to 2020, remote work was barely a blip on any business radar. However, following the COVID-19 pandemic, what was once considered unique has become an exploding norm. For IntrapriseTechKnowlogies LLC, though, the practice of remote work presented itself—and evolved—by accident, and well before other companies jumped aboard.
The advisory-focused CPA firm hired Alisa Nishimoto, PMP, as a part-time project manager in February 2010. Although she was living in San Jose, Cal., at the time, Nishimoto and her family planned to move back to Hawaii, where she grew up and she planned to join the rest of the IntrapriseTechKnowlogies team at its Honolulu headquarters. However, after a year of searching, Nishimoto’s husband was unable to find a comparable job in Hawaii, so the young family decided to remain in San Jose.
Disruptors Wiley, Deshayes, Satterley, Etienne, Penczak and Vanover offer their takes on staffing in the accounting profession.Exclusively for PRO Members. Log in here or upgrade to PRO today.
