MOVE Like This!

Strap in for a deep conversation with Jen Wilson, Co-Founder & Partner with Convergence Coaching, and a fellow member of the CPA Consultants' Alliance (https://cpaconsultantsalliance.com/). We talk about some of the biggest challenges facing the accounting profession, the work of the National Pipeline Advisory Group (https://www.accountingpipeline.org/), the importance of inclusion and diversity for firms' longevity, and how fiercely independent firms can compete and win in today's landscape. To learn more about Convergence Coaching, visit https://convergencecoaching.com/.

On this episode, I catch up with Trevor Williams, DEI Director with GRF CPAs & Advisors. He and his firm were recently featured in an Accounting Today article for their DEI efforts and the transparency report they released that talks about the strides made, but also points out the areas where more work is needed and how they are going to get there. We dig into current DEI skepticism, the many facets of diversity, and get his advice for firms looking to start or expand their DEI initiatives. He also gives the coolest answer yet to where he'd travel if money and time weren't an option. To learn more about GRF, go here: https://www.grfcpa.com/. https://www.accountingtoday.com/news/grf-pushes-forward-on-diversity-efforts-despite-dei-backlashhttps://www.grfcpa.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/2023-GRF-DEI-Transparency-Report_Final.pdf

In this episode, we take a break from accounting and talk about something that impacts all of us: healthcare. As the CEO of Magee-Womens Research Institute & Foundation, Michael has a front row seat to what is going on in women's healthcare and is one of the strongest advocates in the area. We talk about what brought him to this role, why women have only been included in clinical and pharmaceutical trials for such a short time, and the simple way he's found to build trust with marginalized communities. We also discuss how to advocate for your own healthcare. To learn more about Magee-Womens Research Institute, visit https://mageewomens.org/ and be sure to follow them on your favorite social media platforms. And if you are interested in learning more about the history of women's healthcare, he recommends reading All In Her Head.

On this episode of MOVE Like This, Bonnie is joined by Jessica Hekmatjah, Chief Marketing & Corporate Development Officer at BPM. We discuss the firm's substantial increase in women partners between 2022 and 2023 and how leadership support is important to any DEI initiative. We also learn the valuable role BPM's colleague resource groups play in its strategy and culture and learn what advice Jessica has for firms looking to attract, retain and promote more women. To learn more about BPM, visit https://www.bpm.com/.

On this episode, we have our first return guest! Our very first guest, Mary Maguire, formerly of SAPRO and currently CEO of MJM Talent Solutions, returns to talk about the state of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging in the accounting profession. We dive into what programs need to succeed, why firms should not pull back on their efforts, and the myriad benefits businesses experience when DEIB is woven into its DNA. We also cover some of the biggest mistakes firms make and how to avoid them. Strap in, this is a meaty one! (And here's the link to the video Bonnie references on microaggressions: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQ9l7y4UuxY)

On this episode, we are joined by two women from the Accounting and Financial Women's Alliance (AFWA), Cindy Stanley, Executive Director and Shane Schaefer, Events & Education Director. We learn about AFWA's 86-year-history and how the organization and the Accounting MOVE Project started working together 15 years ago. Cindy shares her observations about the role of women in the accounting profession, including some advances and remaining frustrations, and Shane tells us all about AFWA's upcoming events. We encourage anyone interested in learning more about this supportive and influential organization to visit their website at https://www.afwa.org/.

Priscilla Hammonds, DEI Director at BerryDunn joins MOVE Like This to share her unique perspective as someone who has worked in the DEI space for 20+ years. We learn how BerryDunn has embraced diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging and access and committed time, resources and energy to creating a firm of choice for all potential employees. Priscilla also shares her thoughts on why firms that may be considering pulling back on their DEI investment should reconsider if they want to remain competitive. To learn more about BerryDunn, visit https://www.berrydunn.com/.

Reema Patel, accounting practitioner, financial advisor and co-director of D-PATH, CBM's diversity and inclusion initiative, talks about how the firm has created policies that attract and retain women, how she addresses DEI skepticism, and why she helped create a financial planning service targeting Millennials. We also learn why she would choose teleportation as her superpower. To learn more about CBM, visit https://www.cbmcpa.com/.

Angie Grissom, CEO of The Rainmaker Companies and one of the most influential people in accounting, joins Bonnie to talk about the importance of diversity, equity and inclusion in today's profession. Topic discussed range from what firms can do to find and retain talent, how a "people-first" approach is vital to today's workforce, and what successful firms are doing to meet and exceed the needs of clients, the firm and their team members simultaneously. We also learn the impact travel has had on her world view and the superpower she wishes she had. To learn more about The Rainmaker Companies, visit https://therainmakercompanies.com/.

Amanda Pontow, partner, and Megan Geissinger, Human Resources manager, at Bland & Associates join Bonnie to discuss how they are supporting local high schools to fight the talent shortage, discuss their Leadership training program, called BLING, and share how they are invested in cross training team members to ensure clients are always served at the highest level possible. Learn more about Bland & Associates by visiting https://blandcpa.com/.

Jen Cryder, CEO of the Pennsylvania Institute of CPAs, joins Bonnie to talk about the talent crunch, the core reasons why fewer young people are entering the professions, and how some firms are addressing it. We also discuss some ways firms need to adjust to retain the people they have, particularly women, and where they need to invest their money to become firms of the future. Learn more about the PICPA here: https://www.picpa.org/.

Arianna Savoca, Human Resources Manager with Grassi talks about how training and mentoring is built into the culture at Grassi, the great work and impact that the Women's Council and other ERGs have on the firm, and how bi-annual employee reviews help ensure pay equity at the firm. We also learn about the unique superpower she would like to have and how Bonnie would find it valuable too. Learn more about Grassi at https://www.grassicpas.com/.

Lanelle Herink, a partner at HBE, talks about the challenges of instilling culture in a remote working environment, how important it is to provide training and transparency for rising leaders in the firm, and offers advice for other firms looking to recruit, retain and promote women. We also learn that she'd head to Italy if given the opportunity to travel anywhere and what unique superpower she'd like to have. Learn more about HBE at https://hbecpa.com/.

Dave Roberson, president of RoseRyan, talks about why they decided to merge with ZRG and how it has gone in the last 18 months as well as the unexpected benefits of having a 100% remote workforce. We also discuss how having managers take on greater responsibility for the firm's strategic initiatives has better equipped the next generation of leaders for the future and led to exciting new insight and ideas. We also learn that Dave wants to travel to the Mt. Everest base camp, not to climb, but to support those that are. Learn more about RoseRyan by visiting https://roseryan.com/.

Robin Matthews, partner and shareholder at Jones & Roth in Oregon discusses the supportive culture at her firm and their philosophy of "one size fits one." With women comprising 42% of their partner group, Jones & Roth is well above average at retaining women into leadership positions, and Robin shares some of the reasons behind their success. She also shares advice for other firms looking to attract and retain more talented women and share where she'd like to travel too. To learn more about Jones & Roth, visit https://www.jrcpa.com/.

Sharon Bhalaru, partner with Armanino, shares how one moment with a firm leader changed her trajectory and gave her the encouragement she needed to work toward her current role of partner. We also discuss the firm's B-Corp certification, how it embraced and expanded on BrownSmithWallace's The Bridge women's program and how having customized partnership options has allowed them to retain so many more women from manager to partner. We also learn the unique (yet fantastic) superpower she'd like to have. Learn more about Armanino at https://www.armanino.com/.

Lori Leutwyler, HR Manager at Kerbering Barberio in Florida shares what her firm does to retain women so much better than other accounting firms, how they are extradorinarily selective about the clients they choose to serve and what they do to maintain connections in an environment where 65% of their staff employ a remote or hybrid schedule. We also learn about her incredibly brave great-grandmother's immigration story and the unique, but very useful, superpower she'd like to have. To learn more about Kerkering Barberio, visit https://www.kbgrp.com/.

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/.