Gov. Kemp Shelter in Place Order Released

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp has issued a shelter-in-place order to help stop the spread of COVID-19. The order takes effect at 6pm on Friday, April 3, 2020. Read the full Executive Order here.

The accounting profession is among the businesses deemed essential per the order’s reference to the term “Critical Infrastructure” as defined by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on page 5 of the Executive Order. On March 21, The Georgia Society of CPAs (GSCPA) President and CEO Boyd Search sent a letter to Governor Kemp requesting that Georgia’s CPAs be allowed access to their physical offices when needed. Read the full letter here.

“Businesses are facing difficult decisions due to the major disruption caused by COVID-19. More than ever, business owners will rely on their CPAs to provide analysis and advice that allows them to make vital decisions, meet their contractual obligations, pay their employees and-ultimately -stay in business. This is especially important as we look to rebuild the economy here in Georgia,” said Search in his letter.

“We are in an environment where the rules are changing day-to-day. We need calm and rational approaches to the problems ahead of us. By including the accounting profession as essential, you are ensuring that a key resource will be available to individuals and businesses to help them make the critical financial decisions they will face,” he added.

GSCPA encourages members to note that accounting being included in the list of essential services means that accounting businesses “may remain open.” For those CPAs that feel their services are essential to their employers, businesses, or clients, this order gives you the authority to go to work and assist them. However, not all CPAs need to go to the office, and those that can stay home, should. The profession’s obligation to the protection of the public trust extends to every connection we have with the community at large, and amid this public health and economic crisis, that will be tested more than ever.

The shelter-in-place order is currently set to expire on 11:59 pm Monday, April 13, 2020.

Stay current by accessing GSCPA’s COVID-19 Resource Center and following GSCPA updates on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.