Information Overload? Let us Help

April/May 2020

Information Overload? We're Here to Help

If you're anything like us, you've been bombarded by information this past month. We want to make sure you have every timely update that will help you plan for your business and family during this very difficult time. We also want to be a resource for you to answer your questions.

Here are some resource links about the recent legislation related to the COVID-19 pandemic and how it may relate to your business:

The Paycheck Protection Act (PPP), offering forgivable loans to small businesses and not-for profits. This program was recently granted additional funds by the federal government.
The Families First Coronavirus Response Act, expanding paid sick leave and provisions of the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA).
The Federal Stimulus Bill, providing direct payments to individuals, as well as the Illinois Small Business Emergency Loan Fund.
The extension of federal and state tax payment and tax filing deadlines.

Although our team is working remotely, we are available to help you discern what information you need and how to use that information to your advantage. The tax deadline may have been deferred to July but our partners and staff have been working diligently to file returns as well as help with ongoing tax, accounting and compliance work.

If you've received a loan through the Paycheck Protection Act, you'll need to provide financial information in order to meet the requirements for that loan to be forgiven. If you need help tracking payroll, cash flow and financial reports, please let us know. We are here to be of service to you.

Open for Business But Please, Don't Visit

Although we are "open for business," our office is closed to protect our team members as well as our clients and colleagues. We are working remotely; however, partners and staff are working together to manage and monitor incoming mail and packages while adhering to appropriate social distancing guidelines.

Please send any documents you may wish to submit via email, your client portal, U.S. Postal Service, FedEx or UPS. Our address is 211 S. Wheaton Avenue, Suite 400, Wheaton, IL, 60187. Thank you for staying safe and keeping us safe!

Our People Make a Difference

Welcome to Danielle Dougherty who joined our team in March. Danielle works in accounting services, bringing her considerable skills from the industry side after working for a manufacturing firm.

She is the proud mom of five children ranging in ages 12 to 23. Her two eldest kids are in the military and she herself grew up in a military family—her dad was in the Air Force and they lived in Thailand for several years when Danielle was a girl.

In addition to her children, Danielle recently became a grandmother. She lives in Sandwich and has two dogs, two cats and a horse, Grace. We are delighted to have her on the MMA team which she describes as “stellar.”

Congratulations to Liseth Pozo, our intern who has served so well since January. She will be back with us as a staff accountant after her graduation in 2021! Liseth will continue her education working toward her bachelor's degree in accounting at Northern Illinois University, facing a very different landscape as she learns remotely.

And here's a round of "Pomp and Circumstance" as we celebrate the graduation of Iqra Majid from Benedictine University. We were so excited to be part of Iqra's intern experience and she, too, was offered a staff position upon graduation. Although we can't be together yet to throw her a party, we join her friends and family in acknowledging her hard work and all her accomplishments. (Photo: Iqra (R) trains Liseth on the intricacies of scanning)

This is a familiar sight to most of us by now: a Zoom call. The Mathieson, Moyski, Austin & Co. team have been meeting via Zoom for weekly check-in calls as well as for monthly staff meetings. Partners, managers and staff use Zoom as well as other technology to stay in close touch with clients and each other.

Our "themes" for check-in calls have included favorite album covers, from country to heavy metal and everything in between; senior pictures to celebrate 2020 graduates (quite a few "mall hair" photos); favorite vacation spots and an early celebration of National Siblings Day. We also celebrated Tax Day on April 15 with a virtual happy hour, and this year we'll get to acknowledge Extended Deadline Tax Day on July 15. Next week: our Cinco de Mayo virtual celebration.

Staying Sane in a Pandemic

Deep breathing... mindfulness... gratitude. These are techniques to stay sane during a pandemic.

We asked the MMA team, "What are you doing to stay positive and productive during this very difficult time?" Here are some of the responses:

“One thing I did to stay sane was I got my first motorcycle! I am currently sunburnt from this past weekend of riding it all day on Sunday…” –Jake Rexilius

“Biking, running and reading more than usual. Watching 'MoneyHeist' on Netflix with my family…” –Ron Austin, CPA

“My family and I are walking when the weather is nice and playing games together...”

–Debra Brown

"Fishing with my son!" --John Straus, CPA

“Getting to spend time with my boys and wife during breaks from work…” -- Mike Kuderna, CPA

“We are going for family walks and trying to get outside as much as possible. We are also having occasional Facetime or Zoom calls with our parents so they can see their grandchildren...” – Brandon Soris, CPA

“I have started learning Italian. Molto bene! And to truly immerse myself, I cook a pasta dish every Sunday – gli spaghetti con polpette, lasagna, pasta carbonara & harissa Bolognese are a few of my favorites…” John Vires, CFP®, CFA®

“I have been playing video games and reading…” –Zaid Siddiqui

"I’m trying to take a walk outside every day, and I have regular online chats with some of my friends, so we don’t lose contact…” –Jackie Scroggs

“At first, the idea of working from home made me very anxious. Would my old laptop handle all the necessary work needs? Would my little office space be enough? Would the necessary phone calls come through on my mobile device? All the questions to consider during tax season and a pandemic – oh my! But it’s working out OK because:

I have another computer in my home for emergency use when my laptop needs a rest.
For me, keeping a regular routine is very helpful.
I also keep my work materials organized and in my workspace.
My normal 60-minute commute has been cut to one minute and I’m saving money on gas.
House projects that would not have gotten started until May got underway early and are almost completed.

Working from home will take some practice, some clarity, and some getting used to … but having friends at work makes working fun!” –Cindy Gunderson

“Art has helped me 'get away' from the world into a more peaceful place. The two art forms I really enjoy are taking photos and writing poetry…” --Iqra Majid

[Photo credit: Sunset by the Watertower, Iqra Majid]

Our own Ron Austin was featured recently on the Fairhaven Wealth Management YouTube channel, a "Lockdown" video campaign they're calling " Encourage-Educate-Entertain." The cameo, entitled "Cold Weather Biking," features Ron sharing tips for biking in spite of chilly temps. He's an avid triathlete and he's still biking with his bike group, although he can't swim due to pool closure. You can watch Ron's video clip here:

Battle of the Beards

Pandemic beards are all the rage... Who wears it best?

All this self-isolating has turned some of our staff people into woodsy woodsmen. We want to know--who wears it best? Vote early, vote often! Please email your selection to:

Battle of the Beards