In the Spotlight with Paul Schmidt
Tell us about yourself.
I am the Chief Operating Officer at Baker Tilly WM.
Has there been anything positive you have witnessed/seen from the recent crisis?
People have formalized some of their online communications making them scheduled, as opposed to ad-hoc. Using Zoom and Teams, I now have regular calls with clients and contacts that I would only speak with occasionally in the past. This has strengthened those connections.
What advice would you give to someone starting their career in accounting?
Focus on your ability to adapt to change. It is a soft skill that gets overlooked as accountants since the training is heavily technical. The world is rapidly evolving and values professionals who can just dive in and learn something new.
What does "Now, for tomorrow" mean to you?
So much of what we are doing at Baker Tilly, and specifically Baker Tilly WM, is to lay down a firm foundation to be able to grow. We are investing “now”, to create opportunities for our staff and clients “tomorrow”. It is a very exciting time.
What is the best advice anyone has given you?
Remember that everything you do benefits both you and the organization you work for. If you see something that can be corrected or made better, step forward and help make it so. Your reach should exceed your grasp.
