No. 3, five–24 employees: Schmidt Associates PC

Schmidt is the owner of Schmidt Associates PC, a Carthage-based CPA firm that placed third among Best Places to Work companies that have five to 24 employees.

The company opened in 1990, serving smaller companies that did not have chief financial officers on staff. The firm offers a variety of financial services, including estate, retirement and business planning to tax and accounting services.

“Work ought to be as much fun as it could be,” Schmidt said. “Otherwise, how could you do it everyday?”

Among the benefits Schmidt’s employees have to help them enjoy their work is flexible scheduling.

Schmidt said he understands parents have responsibilities to their families, and he allows them the flexibility they need to balance work and personal life.

“Pretty much everyone is on flexible time,” he said.

CPA Kelli Nugent said she appreciates the relaxed atmosphere and the ability to telecommute to work – another benefit the company offers.

Schmidt’s family-friendly approach isn’t just for employees, either. Sometimes, the company puts on an event that families are encouraged to attend. Events are as small as a miniature golf and dinner outing or could be a weekend at the lake.

Because financial and tax laws change annually, members of the staff attend classes or seminars on a yearly basis.

“I encourage education all the time,” Schmidt said. “The more educated they are, the better off we are.”

According to its survey responses, Schmidt Associates reports spending between $1,501 and $3,000 on training for each employee every year.

The company also invests in technology, Nugent said, and is currently fine-tuning its paperless filing procedures.

The company also shares financial information with employees regularly, something Nugent hadn’t experience before joining the firm.

“They are very open with how the company is doing,” she said. “We then strive to make it better.”

Employees also have other benefits available, including a 401(k) plan, profit-sharing, and health insurance for which employees pay less than 10 percent of the premiums.