CIANJ Commerce Magazine September 2020 Live | Page 14

■ Annual Best Practices Guide
Continued From Page 10
ACCOUNTING
Levine Jacobs & Co., LLC
By Charles F. Ott, CPA, MBA,
Managing Member
CPA firms are client-centric
professional service companies
and thrive on maximizing
those services while building
long-standing relationships. It would be
easy to say that our current use of technology
is critical to driving the company forward
during the pandemic. Although technology
provides the tools we need to work from remote
locations, the key to our overall success,
in this time, is communication. Not only regular
and effective communication with our
team members internally, but also active communication
with our clients. A phone call or
e-mail will always be effective, but the need to
maintain personal contact with employees via
video meetings or workplace chats, along with
increasing the frequency of contact and the
flow of information to clients is unparalleled.
They need to know that we have the ability to
assist them through this changing landscape,
and effective communication is how we will
continue to thrive.
Marcum LLP
By Saran Johnson,
MBA, SHRM-SCP,
Co-Chief, Human Resources
One example of how we engaged
in reinvention is the
creation of our virtual summer
internship. We have historically offered
a summer program that generates a pipeline
of college graduates to fulfill our annual entry-level
needs. This summer, rather than
cancel our traditional program, we’ve pivoted
to a meaningful virtual experience. We’ll host
50+ interns across the country during the
four-week program, which includes a commitment
of four hours of screen time each
day. Marcum’s virtual internship is a mix of
interactive essential skills training, individual
and team projects and collaboration on client
engagements. The orientation will be conducted
remotely and IT equipment will be shipped
to every intern. Marcum’s virtual internship
experience is unique as it allows for learning
and development opportunities, the chance to
participate in client work and collaborate with
experienced professionals and industry leaders,
while offering the invaluable opportunity
to build a professional network with peers.
Mazars USA
By Paula Ferreira, CPA,
NJ Office Managing Partner
Throughout COVID‐19, we
have focused on making connections
and meeting the
needs of our team, our clients
and our communities. Remaining authentic
and openly addressing uncertainties is vitally
important in this environment. Constant
communication and remaining flexible with
our team has been crucial to our success. Together,
we have found ways to create a culture
that is not only focused on doing our job but
also on giving back to the community and
each other. Many of our team members were
able to volunteer for different organizations,
whether it was making sandwiches to donate
to food pantries or making masks for those
in need. Through our internal Mazars Team
channel we encourage employees to connect,
whether it’s coming up with a summer playlist
or sharing favorite recipes. Keeping the
communication flowing has been the most
important factor in creating an effective
work culture.
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