Aitken views the turmoil of the coronavirus pandemic as an opportunity for CPAs to embrace the changes happening (and which will continue to happen) within the profession. “In some ways, the pandemic accelerated changes in our industry that were becoming inevitable,” Aitken says. “Now it is up to all of us to ... continue with the positive ones for the good of the profession.”
When it comes to the Pennsylvania CPA Foundation, Aitken believes that the innovation firms are undertaking as a result of COVID-19 will help them attract the talent groomed for success in part by the Foundation’s work. According to Aitken, “We learn a lot from our conversations with college and high school students. They want to work for firms and organizations that will challenge them intellectually, provide growth opportunities and a work environment that makes them feel comfortable and welcome, ... and offer flexible work arrangements.”