MOVE Like This!

Jina Etienne, CEO of Etienne Consulting which exists to help clients all break through unseen barriers to see and create what is beyond. On this episode we learn more about Jina's work with firms, discuss some of the biggest changes impacting the accounting profession, and learn how she defines and helps firms create "fearless inclusion." To learn more about Jina and her firm, visit https://www.etienneconsulting.com/

On this episode, you get two for the price of one as I talk to both Karen Mattull, COO and principal, and Kim Paskal, tax department COO and principal, from BeachFleischman in Arizona. We discuss how the firm has incorporated greater flexibility into its structure, how they have been successful recruiting and retaining women and people of color, and the advice they have for other firms with similar goals. We also learn how together, Karen and Kim would use their superpowers for the good of us all. To learn more about BeachFleischman, visit their website: https://beachfleischman.com/

Avani Desai, CEO of Schellman, talks about her firm's unique service offering, how they intentionally recruit women and people of color, and many of the ways they create a culture where people want to work. We also learn about some of the interesting ways they encourage employees to truly unplug to avoid burnout, and Avani offers advice to other firms searching for a similar work-life cohesion. Learn more about Schellman at https://www.schellman.com/.

Becky Guenther, Director of Total Rewards at Rehmann shares all the reasons why her firm has been named one of the Best CPA Firms for Women for the last 10 years. Topics include how they are weaving DEI into all parts of the firm, the importance of ensuring pay equity and all the ways the firm managed to avoid the "Great Resignation" too. We also determine that we should all have "positivity rays" on hand at all times. Learn more about Rehmann at https://www.rehmann.com/.

Donny Shimamoto, the visionary behind the Center for Accounting Transformation, joins MOVE Like This to talk about the work he is doing to help accounting firms become more inclusive and what he has learned from his recent DEI research. We discuss how there are so many ways to think about diversity, and that no firm is too small to embrace it. Toward the end, we learn why he'd love to travel back to Japan, and Bonnie adds a new place to her travel bucket list.

Tricia Bencich, Inclusion & Social Responsibility Associate Director at Moss Adams, discusses the policies and initiatives the firm is undertaking to create an inclusive work culture where team members want to stay and how they are measuring their efforts so they know what is working and what may need adjustment. We also talk about Moss Adams' original and continued support as MOVE's founding sponsor, and Tricia provides recommendations for firms just getting started on their DEI journey. We end with a discussion of how both Tricia and Bonnie would like to be able to make things happen by twitching their noses like Samantha on the 70s TV show Bewitched. Learn more about Moss Adams here: https://www.mossadams.com/home

Lori Kaiser, founder and CEO of Kaiser Consulting, talks about her firm's unique model of all employees working part-time hours, their recent acquisition by a private equity firm, and why traveling to Antartica is on her bucket list.

Scharrell Jackson, an accomplished international keynote speaker and leadership coach with decades of firsthand public accounting experience, joins MOVE Like This to talk about Juneteenth and so much more. We touch on the changes firm leaders must embrace to compete in today's market, how to bring more diversity to the profession, and the importance of creating a work culture of inclusion so everyone can feel like they belong, contribute and rise through the ranks to become leaders.

Corinne LaRoche, Nonprofit Partner, James Moore & Co. shares some of the reasons her firm has nearly reached partner between men and women, her thoughts on how firms can approach work differently to adjust to fewer students entering the profession, and why she wanted to be a weather girl when she was 5 years old. Visit https://www.jmco.com to learn more about James Moore & Co.

Tracy Brown, Chief Human Relations Officer at Clark Nuber, shares why she thinks her firm is better able to attract and retain talent than the national average, discusses how it has embraced a flex-work model, and describes why she would want to be telepathic if she could have any superpower.

Kristen Clark, Chief Risk Officer and Syracuse Office Managing Partner, at The Bonadio Group talks about how her firm retains more women than most, what she learned from their recent pay equity audit, and why she would love to be able to teleport anywhere she wants.

Kandace Freeman, DEI Program Manager at Frazier & Deeter in Atlanta discusses the firm's intentional approach to recruiting and retention and offers advice for other accounting firms that are looking to diversify their staff and create a culture of belonging.

Joanne Cleaver, the founder of the Accounting MOVE Project, and Bonnie Buol Ruszczyk talk about MOVE's history, methodology, and how it has impacted firms for more than a decade.

Mary Maguire, Executive Vice President of Global Strategic Partnerships, joins the show to talk about some of the innovative programs at SAPRO. We also discuss why SAPRO became a MOVE sponsor, that pay equity is good for business, and how she learned about running a business from her grandmother.