Small For-Profit Category
Porter Keadle Moore, LLP
Taking People into Account
Georgia — Atlanta-based accounting and consulting firm, Porter Keadle Moore, LLP (PKM) prides itself on standard-setting service with a personal touch. Shattering industry stereotypes by building a culture of flexibility and communication, PKM creates an enjoyable work environment that reinvents the accounting firm experience for both clients and employees.
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Employee Involvement
PKM keeps employees actively involved in improving the business. Through “INNOFIX,” a program that encourages ideas and innovation to flow in all directions, employees identify and solve business issues using fun, game-like competitions that develop individual problem-solving and conflict-resolution skills. PKM trains employees to seek, receive and use formal and informal feedback as part of the daily work environment. Launched in August 2006, the continuous feedback initiative began with training programs that taught staff and management how to give and receive feedback. The initiative was developed in direct response to a 2005 employee survey that revealed employees wanted more timely and relevant feedback on their performance. Employees are also actively involved in job candidate interviews and screening. This practice ensures they are comfortable with hiring decisions, an essential component of PKM’s task-based teamwork approach to client service. Additionally, regular lunches with small groups of employees allow the COO and Managing Partner to share news and solicit feedback, while PKM’s open-door policy keeps leaders easily accessible.
Health and Safety
Healthcare benefits at PKM take effect on an employee’s first day of work and include mental health coverage, EAP services and wellness programs. The firm even takes a healthy approach to its annual group insurance renewal process. In 2007, employees served on a task force where they learned about vendor and benefits selection as well as how appropriate use of benefits can positively affect the organization. PKM offers educational seminars on a variety of health issues and helps create a healthy work environment with weekly delivery of organic fruit to the office and the availability of low-fat, low-calorie snack options. Outside the office, PKM promotes healthy lifestyles by encouraging physical activity through sponsored corporate running and tennis teams, flag football and basketball.
Employee Growth and Development
Continuing education is a fact of life for employees who must maintain professional certifications. PKM goes beyond requirements by hosting internal classes that focus on unique client issues and challenges. Employees also attend external courses at which they can interact with staff from other accounting firms. Viewing learning as an ongoing process that continues through formal and on-the-job training, PKM developed a career track planning guide that outlines the technical and personal leadership expectations of all employees. From intern to partner, employees know what skills are needed to progress to the next level. While small groups of individuals at different career stages, called “Accountability Teams,” serve as a mechanism for personal and professional support, PKM’s “Book and Breakfast” program addresses topics such as teamwork, leadership and time management. Leadership training and meetings with a corporate psychologist are available, and high-potential employees participate in professional development courses offered through the national CPA firm association. Educational incentives also support employees seeking certifications and other professional designations, with paid time to study, reimbursement of approved review materials, exam fee reimbursement and monetary bonuses for passing exams.
Work-Life Balance
PKM encourages work-life balance by recognizing an employee’s productivity rather than hours worked. The firm also strives to maintain and improve the well-being of associates and their families by promoting autonomy and flexibility. Employees’ scheduling needs are met with uniquely tailored solutions such as flexible scheduling, part-time employment and work-from-home options for parents of school-aged children, employees caring for aging parents and those with other special circumstances. To support employees who work remotely, PKM provides home-office technology solutions. The firm helps employees prepare for the stress of the busy season by closing its office during the last week of December. During the summer, PKM also closes two hours early on Fridays so employees can jump-start their weekends. The firm supports a variety of charitable organizations and promotes a culture of good citizenship by encouraging volunteer activities, even matching employee contributions to university accounting programs.
Employee Recognition
Employee anniversaries of 10, 15 and 20 years of service are rewarded with firm-wide recognition and individualized gifts. PKM also organizes social activities that strengthen bonds among co-workers, including after-work social gatherings, sporting events and spa retreats. Adding levity to the busy season, competitions and games provide weekly rewards and recognition, while exceptional achievements are highlighted in an employee newsletter.
The Bottom Line
PKM’s unique culture produces high levels of employee and client satisfaction. Relying on employee driven feedback, the firm focuses on performance improvement, and employees are seen as valued team members. Employees at PKM are aligned with the firm’s mission, with 100 percent agreeing that client satisfaction is the top priority and 97 percent reporting that they are proud to work for the firm. Additionally, 94 percent say they would recommend the firm to a friend as a good place to work.
With a 2007 turnover rate of just 11 percent, PKM boosts efficiency and productivity by maintaining staff continuity and helping its workforce meet client needs. PKM’s client satisfaction surveys consistently return positive feedback and identify the people, service quality and technical expertise as the things clients like most about the firm. Ninety-eight percent of clients say they would recommend PKM services to others and 100 percent say that PKM understands their business and industry. By supporting and listening to their employees and clients, PKM’s numbers show that it’s the people who really make the difference.