AICPA Here to Help in Aftermath of Sandy

Like many of you, I’ve seen hundreds of images – gut wrenching, heartbreaking images – of the devastation and destruction unleashed by superstorm Sandy. But let me tell you about this one.

It was taken outside a home in Hoboken, N.J. A tangle of white and black cords snake from two power strips on an iron fence holding a small sign: “We have power. Please feel free to charge your phone!”

Think about the importance of that simple gesture. Those homeowners gave their neighbors far more than free electricity. They gave them connection — a link to the outside world, a way to tap into their community of family and friends, find information and begin to move forward.

Connection is a powerful force, especially in difficult days. And for our CPA members ravaged by the whims of Sandy know this: You’re connected. You have the support of 386,000 other CPAs and professionals with you as you repair your homes and offices and guide clients through these trying times.

Indeed, some AICPA members have been right where you are before in places like New Orleans and Joplin, Mo., and you can tap into resources developed from their experiences. The AICPA has put together a disaster recovery web page where you can find guides, checklists and other materials to help you and your clients get back to normal. For those of you who are suffering financial hardships, the AICPA Benevolent Fund can provide emergency grants and help for temporary living expenses and medical needs. Eligibility and application requirements are available online. (CPAs in unaffected areas who would like to contribute to the fund can do so online as well.)

If you lost AICPA print products — magazines, newsletters, publications or CPE — in the storm and would like immediate access to the digital equivalent, we will be happy to guide you through the process. If you prefer a physical copy replacement, we will do our best to accommodate the request. Likewise, if you would like to have any standing orders or the Journal of Accountancy shipped to an alternate address or held for later shipment, just let us know.

The AICPA’s Member Service Center is available at 1.888.777.7077 and service@aicpa.org and will be happy to work with you in any way possible as you recover from the storm. And don’t forget, if you need advice from other CPAs you can reach more than 46,000 of them anytime, anywhere in the country through our LinkedIn group.

It’s a reminder that as a profession we’re connected. And together we have power, too.   

Richard J. Caturano, CPA, CGMA, Chairman of the Board of Directors, American Institute of CPAs.

The AICPA has put together a disaster recovery page where you can find guides, checklists and other materials to help you and your clients get back to normal.