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News from Your Accounting Association

CPAmerica Advantage Going beyond the green: Employee Incentive Programs, why it pays to have a solid policy We all know that money speaks volumes. But we also know that we need to do more to keep employees happy. Besides monetary bonuses, what else are you doing to keep employees engaged, product ive and invested in the continued success DMJ firm members participate in the Polar Plunge of your firm? With just a little out-of-the-box thinking, firms can develop a free and well-rounded employee incentive program. Flex Time According to CPAmerica’s 2016 HR Survey, 92 percent of respondents said their firm permits flex time. Wegner CPAs provides Work/Life Balance Agreements for their employees, allowing them to adjust their schedules to obtain flexibility during certain months of the year. “We feel this gives our employees some say in their hours and the guiltless ability to make sure they are not missing out on the important things in their personal life,” said Kari Nichols, human resources director at Wegner CPAs. Matthews, Cutrer & Lindsay, P.A., has a FridaysOff Program, where employees can take alternat-

July 2016 New member spotlight: Nail McKinney

P. 2

ing Fridays off from Memorial Day to Member News P. 3 Labor Day. Even if employees do not meet their minimum hours, they can President's Corner P. 4 still participate in this program, as long as their work is completed and client commitments are met. “This program is intended to expand our flexible work programs, giving you more control over when and where you work,” said Matt Freeland, managing partner at Matthews, Cutrer & Lindsay, P.A. “It is about increasing flexibility, not reducing All Webinar production.”

Recordings FREE

The “Fun” Code According to a recent article by the Society for Human Resource Management, employers looking to recruit and retain new graduates should make their workplace a fun central focus of recruiting efforts. Many of our firms know how to build fun into their work environment. For example, DZH Phillips LLP has a full calendar of firm-sponsored activities that allows staff to enjoy the riches of the San Francisco Bay Area, like outings to Giants games, tours of the San Francisco Winery and visits to the San Francisco Exploratorium, in addition to providing their staff with perks such as catered meals and chair massages. Gelman, Rosenberg & Freedman CPAs has a

CPAmerica is pleased to announce that continuing this year, we will be able to offer webinar recordings complimentary to all members. Recordings are made available within two days following a live webinar. To access the recordings please log into CPAmerica’s webinar platform, LearnLive. Questions about webinars or recordings? Contact Member Services Manager Kaylen Saunders at ksaunders@ cpamerica.org

See Employee Incentives, continued on page 2

TBC celebrates its 45th anniversary This month marks the 45th anniversary for P.C. (TBC), a member of CPAmerica since 2003. John Chiaramonte, a founder of the firm, now serves as chairman. He shared his reflections on doing business for 45 years. “The automation and tax complexity has definitely changed from then to now, but the way we do accounting has always been the same,” said Chiaramonte. “It’s been a lot of fun. We’ve really been blessed with good fortune and associates, and we’ve grown because of them.” The other namesakes of the firm, Ron Teal and Larry Becker, founded

TBC with Chiaramonte in 1971. “I’m glad I was a part of it for many years and that they are continuing.” said Teal. “I always enjoyed working with all of the people. It was a very friendly atmosphere to work in, and I think that helps to make the firm continue.” Becker, who left his career in public accounting in the 80s to establish a real estate development business, has been a loyal client for more than 30 years. “Windsor Development has happily used TBC for tax services since its inception,” Becker said. “I have watched the growth of TBC with great admiration, always knowing it would be a success and am sure that success shall continue in the future.”

Nearing its fifth decade of client service, TBC has been serving thousands of businesses and individuals in the areas of accounting, auditing, tax and advisory services, as well as other specialty services including pension administration services, employee benefit plan audits, estates and trust planning and administration, business valuations, forensic accounting and cost segregation studies. Over the years, the firm has significantly grown its client base and looks to continue this trend, while continuing

See TBC, continued on page 4

New Member Snapshot: Nail McKinney P.A. Headquarters:

Nail McKinney Professional Association (Nail McKinney) important decisions an individual or business can make. If you're looking for a

Tupelo, Mississippi

be the right match for you.

Tollie White | Vice President/Shareholder/Partner | twhite@nmcpa.com values their role as trusted partners who know their business and respect their Eddie Wright | Shareholder/Partner | ewright@nmcpa.com clients. Nail McKinney is committed to earning the role of their clients’ most

Ricky D. Bullock | Firm Administrator | rbullock@nmcpa.com Eddie Wright | HR Director | ewright@nmcpa.com

David L. Miller | Leading Partner | dmiller@nmcpa.com

Tollie White | Marketing Director | twhite@nmcpa.com

Ricky D. Bullock | Shareholder/Partner | rbullock@nmcpa.com

Brad Crump | IT Network Administrator | @nmcpa.com

Nail McKinney Professional Association 110 N. Madison Street Tupelo, Mississippi 38804 Tel: (662) 842-6475 | Fax: (662) 842-4531

www.nmcpa.com

Employee Incentives, continued from page 1 team approach that extends outside of the o ce with holiday parties, happy hours, employee get-togethers and league teams for softball. Incentives for Continued Growth Overseeing a skilled group of young professionals and providing ways for them to continue their personal growth can be tricky at times, but many of our rms have succeeded at this. According to CPAmerica’s 2016 HR Survey, 92 percent of respondents provide management and leadership training throughout the year. For example, Honkamp Krueger & Co., P.C. provides in-house professional development through training on technology, technical skills, and soft skills, in addition to sending their sta to outside conferences and trainings. CPAmerica understands the value and need for incentivizing growth in the workplace. We are moving into the third year of our Next Generation Conference, designed with the pressing need in public accounting for developing and keeping talent. is two-day conference immerses attendees in leadership principles, practice management basics, and relationship building with others at their level. e conference also features partners and presenters committed to developing “career coachable” employees (Attendees who register for this conference before July 26 will receive a $100 discount - go to: www.cpamerica.

org/News-Events). Another career development program CPAmerica is introducing this year is our RISE Inclusion Initiative, a career development program focused on building bench strength for your rm, recognizing diversity and engaging employees. is program includes a mentorship process, clearly de ned expectations, consistent documentation of participant progress, and more. For more information on this membership bene t, please contact D’Yãn Davis at ddavis@cpamerica.org. Giving Back A majority of our rms consider community involvement as important, according to CPAmerica’s 2016 HR Survey. A great example of this is AKT LLP who annually sponsors the AKTion Community Service Day where each of their geographic locations volunteers together at a designated nonpro t. In addition, AKT strongly encourages their people to volunteer in their communities during the work day through the AKTion for Education is program allows and Program. encourages sta to volunteer for 16 hours of paid time o at an education related nonpro organization of their choice during the year. Another community-focused rm, DMJ & Co., PLLC, has participated in all 16 years of the Polar Plunge, a unique opportunity to support local Special Olympics

athletes. Last year alone they raised more than $11,000, totaling more than $135,000 over the 16-year period. We bet the money raised makes leaping into frigid water in February a little easier. Implementing these employee incentives will certainly pay o for your rm, but remember to revisit the program on a regular basis to make sure that it is relevant and doesn’t lose the power to motivate.

It's Conference Season!

Honkamp Krueger & Co., P.C.'s managing partner Greg Burbach (right), pictured here with CPAmerica president Alan Deichler, at the 2016 HKFS PFS Conference held on May 25 in Dubuque, Iowa.

Member News

Thompson Greenspon winner of 2016 Top Workplaces honor

has been awarded a 2016 Top Workplaces honor by The Washington Post. In its annual survey, The Washington Post’s Top Workplaces list spotlights private, public, nonprofit and government agencies with the highest ratings from their employees in a survey conducted by Workplace Dynamics. “We are, once again, very honored to be recognized as a Top Workplace by The Washington Post,” said Chip Helme, managing principal. “Our firm works hard to ensure that staff feel appreciated and fulfilled as a part of our team.” In addition, Thompson Greenspon was featured in a special section of The Washington Post.

Cowan, Gunteski & Co. named Business of the Year by Jackson Chamber of Commerce ,a leading accounting and profitability consulting firm headquartered in Toms River, N.J., announced its recognition as Business of the Year by the Jackson Chamber of Commerce’s 2016 Citizens of the Year Awards (C.O.T.Y.). Each year, the Jackson Chamber of Commerce honors citizens and businesses for their outstanding contributions to the community. joins the Kiwanis Club of Jackson as Non-Profit Organization of the Year; Assemblyman Ron Dancer as Man of the Year; and Josephine Corbiscello as Woman of the Year.

Manager at Russell Thompson Butler & Houston, LLP completes ASCPA Leadership Academy

Lesley P. Baker, CPA, CFF, manager at member firm Russell Thompson Butler & Houston, LLP, completed the requirements of the ASCPA’s Leadership Academy LESLEY BAKER in Montgomery, Ala. The academy is a oneyear intensive program that consists of seminars, in-class training, webinars, required reading, coaching calls and projects led by The Rainmaker Academy of Nashville, experts in leadership training of CPAs nationwide. Through a mentor-style program, the training is intended to provide each candidate with a set of life skills, which will become a valuable asset.

HPG partner Heather Dean elected to CED board of directors LLP (HPG), a Triangle-based CPA firm, announced Heather Dean on being elected to The Council for Entrepreneurial Development (CED) 2016-17 board of directors. In order to strengthen North Carolina’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, CED provides resources and services to propel companies into highly successful businesses. Dean will HEATHER DEAN serve a two-year term. Dean has 19 years of experience in public accounting and works with clients in a variety of industries including biomedical and pharmaceutical, software and technology, and venture funds. In addition to leading HPG’s corporate tax and international tax practices, she is a graduate of Leadership Raleigh and a previous recipient of Triangle Business Journal’s “40 Under 40” Award and Women in Business Award.

Griffith, CPA, promoted to manager at San Antonio firm

Joel A. Griffith, CPA , of San Antonio, Texas-based firm , has been promoted to manager. JOEL GRIFFITH Jeff Albrecht, managing shareholder of the firm, said, “Joel has worked very hard and ... is a crucial part of our Tax Department, and I wish him much success as he assumes his new responsibilities.”

Albany, New York firm, TBC, names Smith to shareholder group P.C. (TBC), announced that Ryan M. Smith, CPA, has been appointed to the shareholder group for the firm. Joining TBC in 1997 after graduating from Siena College, Smith had previously served as a partner since 2008. With his promotion there are now 11 shareholders and Smith is the second youngest owner. He is an experienced tax advisor for the firm’s commercial client base and works with individual tax and accounting clients. In his new role, Smith will lead the manufacturing group and continue to be a vital part of the firm’s recruiting and hiring efforts. Outside of the office, he serves as the Treasurer for the Voorheesville Community and School Foundation and he holds professional membership with the AICPA.

BS&C awards 2016 Travis Bechtel Scholarship

(BS&C), the Lansdale, Pa.-based accounting and business advisory firm, announced this year’s winner of the Travis Bechtel Scholarship. The scholarship is named in honor of a former employee of BS&C who died at a very young age while working for the firm. It is awarded to a graduating senior of Christopher Dock Mennonite High School, chosen by the school who has excelled in academics, sports, and business. Colin Bernd is this year’s recipient of the scholarship. Bernd will be continuing his education at Messiah College.

DMJ manager graduates from Leadership North Carolina XXIII

Keith Jarmusch, tax manager of DMJ , graduated with the class of Leadership North Carolina XXIII. Jarmusch was among 55 leaders who met with class members over the last eight months in cities across North Carolina to explore important issues in five key policy areas: economic development, education, environment, government and politics, KEITH JARMUSCH and health and human services. Jarmusch has experience in consulting, tax preparation, accounting, and auditing services. He joined DMJ as a tax manager in 2007 and graduated from Youngstown State University with a bachelor's in business administration and became a CPA in 1986.

Lance Healy joins Frazier & Deeter to lead FD Real Asset Advisors

Member firm (FD), headquartered in Atlanta, has expanded its real estate services with the addition of FD Real Asset Advisors, LLC (FDRAA), a specialized advisory and investment banking practice that will be a subsidiary of FD. FDRAA will assist existing and new FD clients in developing tailored financing strategies, performing feasibilities studies, and procuring private equity and debt capital to fund their real estate, private infrastructure and natural resources programs. Lance Healy will join FD to serve as managing director of FDRAA and as a principal in the firm’s advisory practice. With more than 18 years of experience in the finance and real estate sector, Healy is a licensed real estate broker and earned his bachelor's in English from Washington and Lee University and received his MBA from the University of Georgia.

President's Corner: Do you have any openings today?

A LAN D EICHLER P RESI D ENT

Our interactions with clients and customers always result in a reaction, good or bad. As service providers, we sometimes forget this. A few weeks ago, I had an opportunity to get a reminder of this effect f rom t he customer perspective.

I was in Phoenix, in between the CPAmerica Region 1 Managing Partners Meeting and the New Leading Partners Meeting and had some free time to do something I had always wanted to do; visit the manufacturing site of the brand of golf clubs I use. Over the years, I have bought at least three sets of irons, five or six drivers, and quite a few putters from this company - none of which were inexpensive clubs. The company offers a number of cus tomer experiences at their plant, including custom club-fittings, factory tours, visits to their product displays, and history of their clubs. I called on a Tuesday, fully understanding my only hope was for a cancellation or a chance opening in their schedule. In an article I had recently read, it said it was often possible to just stop by and get in, so there was hope. It was not tourist season and it was toward the middle of the week. At the very least, I could visit and look at the equipment displays. My call to the plant was answered quickly and appropriately by the receptionist and I

was forwarded to the customer service department. A gentlemen answered the phone. We exchanged names and I quickly told him of my loyalty to the brand, my visit to Phoenix, and my desire to visit the plant. His curt response was, “Sorry, we have no openings today.” That was it. There was no, “We do have an opening tomorrow,” or “If you would like to come over and visit, I’m sure we can show you some very interesting technology, as well as let you visit our museum.” My reaction was interesting. For a moment, I felt a bit embarrassed that I had called and briefly I wondered, “Why did I buy these clubs?” Certainly my thoughts for future equipment purchases will be more open to using other manufacturers. Most likely, the CEO of this company (and certainly their sales people) would not have been too happy to know of my abrupt handling and the manner in which I was sent on my way. They certainly would have been concerned with my openness to considering a new brand of golf clubs.

you played?” or “Which of our clubs have you enjoyed the best?” might have taken a few minutes of time, but it would have resulted in a much more pleasant experience than hearing “Sorry … no openings today.” So what is the lesson for you and me? Although I certainly got over it quickly, (though I might look at other clubs) what I got was a reminder that every interaction with a member or employee is an opportunity to impact their perception of me, the association, and our capabilities. It is critical that I listen, ask questions, and listen some more. Listening, even if for a minute, can give a client or customer a feeling of respect. I also got the reminder that opportunities come and go quickly. We need to create habits of service so we don’t miss those quick opportunities.

I'm going to try and give myself a bit of a booster shot in the areas of listening and talking with our members, as well as suggest to our staff that we do all we can do towards being empathetic for our constituents and their feelings. How about you? Do you have I realize the factory may very well have been any openings today? booked and busy that day. Perhaps they may not have had the displays that I had been led to believe they had; nevertheless, the way I was managed caused damage to my loyalty to their brand. There were alternatives. The alternatives may have taken a bit longer for the customer service person to complete, but you would never want to leave a loyal customer feeling what I felt. Questions such as: “Which of our clubs have

TBC, continued from front page

2016 Crowe Horwath International Annual Meeting Vancouver, Canada October 30 - November 2 This meeting presents the opportunity to spend time with other international members and further develop strong relationships in the diverse city of Vancouver

Cross-border meetings to strengthen your international business

to provide the close, personal attention that the clients need. One aspect of the firm that has certainly changed is its size. Starting with only four employees, today it employs 95 associates, including 52 CPAs. While the firm has moved its location several times to accommodate the growing number of employees, the current staff all operate out of one office building located at 7 Washington Square; there are no plans to change the headquarters. In addition to real estate developers, TBC’s commercial clientele includes: construction contractors, distributors, manufacturers, professional service firms, and more. To learn more about TBC’s history and its continued growth, the firm’s website includes a timeline of its milestones at: www.tbccpa.com/about/history.

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