2023 Trusted Advisers: Karen Shannon

Working with clients can be complex, but that’s why Karen Shannon, vice president of business consulting at Ollis/Akers/Arney, is in the business: to help solve problems.

“I have two overall objectives,” she says: “to minimize risk to human resource practices and to maximize the return on human capital.”

Shannon accomplishes this by educating clients and by helping develop organizations and the people around them.

She says the most rewarding part of her job is knowing she has played a role in the success of their organization by guiding them in the right direction. Sometimes it can include legal issues.

“For many clients, I am asked to investigate some issues that have resulted in litigation,” she says. “It is rewarding to help them navigate complex issues, in a professional manner, that leaves all parties in a place to move forward amicably. Most labor-related cases incur attorney’s fees at a minimum of $85,000 to $100,000. Resolving issues prior to escalating that to action is cost-saving but also resolves the issues for all parties involved.”

Whether she’s working with clients in health care, transportation, financial services or banking, Shannon says she focuses on strategy.

“I segregate our services into tactical – things that must get done – and strategic – the strategies and projects that should get done,” she says. “It’s the strategic initiatives that add the greatest value to an organization and its people. I believe that’s where we excel.”

In 2022, Shannon had over 200 clients with billings of more than $540,000 – up from 180 clients and $515,000 in 2021, and 165 clients and $410,000 in in 2020.

In addition to work at Ollis/Akers/Arney, Shannon serves the industry by speaking at several of regional and national conferences: the American Council of Engineering Cos., the American Payroll Association, the Association of Fundraising Professionals, the Association of Governmental Accountants, the Construction Financial Management Association, the Institute of Management Accountants, the Mid-Mo Canna Expo and the Missouri Bankers Association.

A memorable period in Shannon’s career is the COVID-19 pandemic.

“During a three-year period, it took daily research to stay on top of directives and best practices in an ever-changing situation,” she says. “We developed special newsletters that were distributed to our clients with the most up-to-date information, sometimes changing in a matter of hours.”

Other special projects at Ollis/Akers/Arney have included researching and educating clients on recreational marijuana legislation and artificial intelligence.

“For many of my clients, they don’t know what they don’t know,” she says. “Helping them understand and comply with labor regulations and HR best practices mitigates risk fortheir business or organization.”