KPM CPAs PC pays a portion of health insurance premiums for all of its 59 full-time and six part-time employees and offers coverage for employee dependents. Bonuses and more than 15 paid days off per year are also available to all employees. More than 50 percent of the workforce currently participates in the company’s tuition reimbursement program and a mentoring program is available. Priding itself on a professional yet laid, back atmosphere, the company has a cubicle-free work zone, offers free soft drinks and juice, has monthly jeans days, offers free flu shots, a family picnic, a book club and tax season appreciation meals.
Editor’s Note: Answers were provided by spokeswoman Vickie Hicks.What do you find makes your business a desirable place to work?“We asked our employees this question and thought their responses were great.
“KPM provides: Paid time off with extreme flexibility, individual responsibility in accomplishing client work, culture of care and cooperation that ignites unity, bonus events that bring a smile, tools necessary to do the job, and event venues for firm communication and socialization,’ said Don Hannay, firm administrator.
“The family environment and the genuine care that everyone has for each other. It starts with the tone from the top and it filters throughout the company. Everything from the open door policy to our monthly firm socials to our holiday parties shows how important it is to this company that everyone not only enjoys working where they are but also enjoy who they are working alongside,’ Shane Dotson, staff accountant.
“I have worked for KPM for 15 years, and during that time the management team has always fostered a culture that encourages its employees to work together as a team to service our clients,’ Barb Houser, manager.”
What tools does the company use to recruit and retain staff?“We are very fortunate to have a strong relationship with students and faculty at Missouri State University, Drury University and Southwest Baptist University. For an entry-level accounting position, we offer many attractive perks to college graduates – including very little out-of-town travel, a cubicle-free environment where every accountant gets their own office with a door, and we also allow the new hires the opportunity to work in both tax and audit departments before they make the decision of which they prefer – which in the accounting world is a significant perk.
“To retain our staff, it goes back to the common theme: Our staff enjoy a great deal of flexibility.”
What innovative ways have you developed to reward employees?“We celebrate firm bright spots once a month at our firm wide meetings. During this time, we recognize individual achievements as well as those employees who have gone above and beyond to meet the needs of a client or a fellow employee.
“We celebrate firm success by a revenue-based bonus program. We announce the firm’s progress once a quarter and pay bonuses to all staff when certain levels of success are reached.”
Work vs. life – how does your company help employees strike a balance between the two?“Because of our incredible flexibility, as long as an employee completes their assigned work, they are able to work a schedule that fits their lifestyle. They can take off, as needed, to attend family events, including vacations or for medical needs.
“Our leadership team realizes that the staff makes a significant contribution during tax season, so they reward everyone with generous flexibility the rest of the year.”
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