According to a global survey of accounting professionals done by SmartVault, accounting firms

without cloud-based server installed in their systems struggled in responding to COVID-19 pandemic as
opposed to those firms who use cloud-based technology. However, not only accounting firms were
affected by the pandemic, but other businesses as well. The commerce industry has declined
dramatically and various entrepreneurs had to step-up their game in order to keep their business going.

When choosing which IT infrastructure is the best for the company, an entrepreneur will be
faced with numerous, high-cost decisions that will set the foundation of the company’s infrastructure.
Ultimately, the goal is to ensure that they have chosen the right one for the business. And a business like
accounting firm is one of those business that needs a sturdy foundation for its server or IT
infrastructure.

Using cloud-based server indeed requires a big investment but as according to the survey, it will
worth the money if it is utilize effectively. Accounting firms are essential partners of business owners.
They can make or break a company so they have to be very careful when making a decision and
providing their services. In this time of pandemic, both the accounting firms and its clients are having
difficulties to engage with each other. Business owners need consultation and professional opinion from
accountants regarding the future of their business. On the other hand, accountants needs to evaluate
and weigh down all the options in order to prevent the business from suffering major loss and to protect
their clients. One way of doing this is by emphasizing with the concerns of their clients. In order to
provide immediate services, installing cloud-based server is the best thing to do. But these accounting
firms must remember the dangers with using new technology. It requires a lot of expertise and effort to
manage, but given the situation we are in, cloud-based server might be the answer to decrease the
workloads and provide service for the waiting clients.

Similar to the survey done by SmartVault, the researchers at the University of Nevada, Reno’s
College of Business were also able to get data on how public accountants and their clients navigate their
way forward against the global impact of COVID-19.

Due to quarantine protocols implemented in each countries, most of the accounting firms were
forced to temporarily shut down and suspend work. Some were advised to work from home instead. But
clearly, “work from home” is not applicable to all, as some lacked the technology and other resources to
be able to do their job at home. Working from home also threatens the security and confidentiality of
their clients’ profile and information. Therefore, to address this issue, accounting firms continued to let
some of their employees to go to work but with social distancing protocols being strictly implemented
and practiced.

Continuous and prompt communication between the employees and the clients is essential
during this time of uncertainty. The employees need to adjust to a new workflow they need to follow
and the clients need to understand the available options they have in order to minimize the
loss/damage in their business. Most of these clients are in a financial distress and they need guidance
and advice from professionals. The CPAs and their firms are quick to adapt and adjust their operations
just to serve these clients. According to the article, many offices created pick-up/drop-off counters for
their clients who are not familiar with using the technology when sending files. They created an option
that is favourable and not discriminating against their non-techy clients.
 The article by Mautz talks about the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic to the career plans of
accounting graduates. These graduates enrolled in the MAcc program were taken back when their
supposed board exam date were postponed. However, they said that the university have been very
accommodating of their needs and still conduct lessons through Zoom. The firms have also assured
them of the job offers regardless of whether they have already passed the board or not. This has helped
a lot in lessening the stress and worries experienced by the graduates.