In the high-pressure world of tax and accounting, where long hours and strict deadlines are the norm, building a strong organizational culture is crucial for addressing burnout and reducing turnover. While many firms tout values like "integrity" and "excellence," few successfully translate these into actionable behaviors that guide employee decisions and foster a supportive work environment.
This article is designed to help you examine various aspects of your culture beyond just offering a “better work-life balance” to attract and retain talent.
1. Base Your Culture on Real-World Dilemmas
Instead of focusing on abstract principles, articulate your culture using concrete dilemmas that accountants face daily. For example:
**Dilemma**: It's tax season, and your team is overwhelmed. A client requests a last-minute complex return. Do you:
A) Accept the work to meet revenue targets, potentially overworking your team?
B) Decline the work to protect your team's well-being, potentially missing financial goals?
By clearly stating which option aligns with your firm's values, you provide practical guidance for decision-making. This also sends a clear message to prospective new hires that is much different from overused phrases like “work-life balance.” Instead, it illustrates exactly how you intend to carry that out.
2. Move from Abstraction to Action
Test your cultural statements against real-world scenarios. For instance, "We prioritize flexible schedule" sounds good, but how does it apply when facing tight deadlines? A more actionable statement might be: "We encourage time off, even during busy seasons, to prevent burnout." Be prepared to follow through and manage your work flow accordingly.
3. Use Vivid Imagery
Make your cultural values memorable using concrete, colorful images. Instead of "We value efficiency," try "We're financial detectives, not data entry clerks." This helps employees internalize and remember the firm's values.
4. Hire for Cultural Fit
When recruiting, prioritize candidates who align with your firm's values. For example, if your culture emphasizes collaboration, hire team players rather than lone wolves, even if the latter have slightly better technical skills.
5. Align Culture with Strategy
Ensure your culture supports your strategic objectives. If you're aiming to become a tech-forward firm, cultivate a culture that encourages innovation and continuous learning. This might involve dilemmas like:
**Dilemma**: You have budget for either advanced tax software or traditional CPE courses. Which do you choose?
6. Be Flexible
While your culture should guide decisions, it shouldn't be rigid. There will be situations where strict adherence isn't possible or desirable. Acknowledge these exceptions openly to maintain trust and transparency.
Example Culture Statement:
"At our firm, we believe that well-rested accountants are the best accountants. We're not looking for midnight oil burners; we want clear-headed problem solvers who can balance sheets and life with equal skill."
By focusing on these areas and consistently reinforcing them through your firm's practices and policies, you can create a culture that not only attracts top talent but also retains them for the long term. Remember, in the world of accounting, your most valuable asset isn't your client list—it's your people. Invest in them wisely, and both your firm and your clients will reap the benefits.
Christine Gervais is a licensed CPA, using her skills to help businesses grow and achieve their fullest potential. Christine has a Master’s degree in accounting from Southern New Hampshire University in addition to holding her CPA license for over a decade. Notably, Christine is a nationally recognized speaker providing education to other CPAs on how to best serve clients as well as instruction on a wide variety of topics for business owners on how to maximize success. Christine prides herself on the value she can bring to clients with her extensive tax knowledge and provides strategic, forward-thinking financial strategies to help clients grow. When not behind her desk, you can find Christine spending quality time with her daughter and stepson or tending to the family’s excessively loved farm animals.
Subscribe to the TPN Newsletter!
Like what you're reading?
Subscribe to our FREE newsletter and we'll deliver content like this directly to your inbox.