When Bill Dunton started his CPA firm in 1998, he knew people deserved better: a better choice for businesses looking for a CPA and a better place to attract a top-talent team of CPAs and employees.
And so far, it’s working.
Abacus CPAs is celebrating its 25th anniversary this month, and its emphasis on cultivating a people-focused culture has driven its sustainability since its inception. “We wanted to be entrepreneurs with an accounting specialty, not just accountants that own a business,” said Bill Dunton, Abacus CPAs managing partner. In fact, having a people-focused mindset is one of the five core firm values: people focus, client service orientation, integrity, ownership and a positive attitude.
People Focus
At Abacus CPAs, employees are trusted from their first day. Typically, at CPA firms, employees have to work to earn the trust of other employees and clients. “It’s important to build that relationship from the beginning. We value a culture of accountability,” said Dunton. Additionally, the firm offers guilt-free flexibility, where employees can work from anywhere, anytime. “We have confidence in our professionals. It’s why we look at results and productivity instead of monitoring time spent at a desk or computer,” said Dunton.
Abacus CPAs is an entrepreneurial firm, and employees are encouraged to pursue innovative ideas. “Everyone can be a leader, and everyone has new ideas and solutions. We want always to continue to elevate ourselves to the best we can be, and that takes an entire team,” said Dunton. The firm hosts semiannual firm-wide retreats in which employees are given the opportunity to express ideas and creativity. Abacus CPAs removed the fear of failure from the workplace by striving for excellence instead of perfection.
Abacus CPAs knows how significant internal investment is to longevity, so the firm has internal staff certified in Clifton Strengths and the Kolbe Index. “We know the value of the unique abilities of each employee. We utilize the natural strengths of everyone individually so we can work better as a team,” said Dunton.
The firm also offers internal training to all employees, not just CPA candidates. “We want every single employee to grow and thrive with us,” said Dunton. An internal program is dedicated to helping CPA candidates study alongside current CPAs for their CPA exams.
Celebrating Positivity
Abacus CPAs celebrates life’s big and small wins, both personally and professionally. In a teamwork environment, employees celebrate milestones together. Employees are highlighted across the firm for their success, and every person on the team gets the credit. This eliminates a competitive, counterproductive culture.
During tax season, Abacus CPAs focuses on that positive attitude value by organizing a tax-season BINGO game, establishing an annual Day of Positivity, and hosting a family party midway through tax season and another after tax season. Abacus CPAs also honors employees with annual Values Awards given to employees living out firm values.
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