CPA_Practice_Advisor_March_2020 - 8

COVER STORY
may also consider announcing the employee(s)
and the significant impact they've made on the
firm's overall strategy at a firm-wide employee
event or, if your firm's offices are far-reaching
geographically, in a video that's shared via the
company intranet.

SPECIAL
TAX SEASON
PERKS

EMPLOYEE
APPRECIATION
AND RECOGNITION
PROGRAMS
Especially when they're putting in long hours,
employees want to feel acknowledged for their
commitment to the company and its customers.
Consider establishing a reward program that ties
a point system to the formal recognition that an
employee receives for going above and beyond in
the workplace. Once the points have accumulated, employees can cash them in for a gift card
or choose an item from a myriad of options. You

2020

There may be little you can do to ease the workload and stress of busy season, but you can create
opportunities for mental breaks and help improve
other aspects for your employees' lives - seemingly little things can make all the difference.
When team members have to come in on the
weekends offer catered breakfast and lunch or
host weekly happy hours to give employees a
designated time to unwind. The Bonadio Group
has a much-loved annual tradition of bringing
in therapy dogs from local animal shelters and

CPA Practice Advisor Presents

* A major national conference featuring the accounting profession's
most sought-after speakers and thought leaders
* Attendees watch from their computers - no travel /hotel costs
* Up to 10 hours of CPE is offered at NO COST to attendees

MARCH 2020 ■

www.CPAPracticeAdvisor.com

Heather Rudes is senior director of human resources at
The Bonadio Group.

SAVE THE
DATE
ECEMBE

PUBLIC ACCOUNTING'S PREMIER
ANNUAL LIVE STREAMING EVENT!

offering in-office massage services to create midday reprieves from tax season stresses.
While traditional benefit offerings are often
contingent on a number of budgetary and regulatory factors, the above perks are some that any
accounting firm can adapt and customize to fit
the company culture and meet employees' needs.
When determining which benefits to incorporate
at your firm don't hesitate to poll those who will
be utilizing these perks - your employees. Create
a structure utilizing various forums to better
understand what your workforce needs and
ensure that they're feeling heard from the start.
The accounting profession is only as solid
as its people. And, as in many other arenas,
turnover is a constant concern. While the
accounting profession evolves in many ways
through technology, new services, and more, it's
important to remember that the business needs
to evolve in conjunction with the shifting needs
of your employees to successfully meet/address
their expectations. ■

many firms cover the cost of CPA study materials
up front, an expense that could otherwise total
more than $2,000. Removing this financial barrier lessens one stressful factor of this already
demanding exam and is a good example of your
firm's commitment to continuous learning for its
employees, as well as its dedication to personal
and professional growth.

2020

CPA_Practice_Advisor_March_2020

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