Best CPA firms to work for: top trends

Accounting  Today released the 2011 Best Firms to Work For list in the December 2011 issue with some interesting findings.

Top-scoring firms offered a variety of features that contributed to high employee satisfaction, while the lowest-scoring firms were  so cited due to one particular item across the board: dissatisfaction with pay and benefits.

Companies earning positive feedback in the financial reward categories were noted for :

• Reversing salary freezes
• Restoring raises
• Reinstating 401 match
• Celebrating employee anniversary with personal gifts

One firm took an unusual step to see both staff and clients through the challenging economic times: to reduce the need to lay off employees during the recession, it offered its staff free of charge to not-for-profit clients.

In addition to compensation, one of the top three companies emphasized physical fitness, offering an on-site gym, sauna and massage room; yoga classes, and an annual tax-season weight-loss competition.  

Consistent performance feedback is noted at the top companies, with performance evaluations becoming more “honest and career-oriented.”  Ninety percent of “ best  firms” conduct two annual performance appraisals instead of one.

Firm communication is improving. Open communication is a top priority for high-scoring firms, to these ends:

• No surprises
• Give staff as much say in decision-making process as possible
• Focus on the positive; give as thorough an explanation of the negative as possible

And more firms are moving from a closed-office to an open-door environment. With a focus on teamwork, partners are becoming more hands on, creating opportunities for more partner-staff interaction and exchange.  These top-ranked companies are finding that striking a better work/life balance and fostering a friendly, pleasant workplace environment that keeps employees engaged results in the highest degree of staff satisfaction.