28 Apr 2016
Patrick Accounting Response
9yAs the owner of a small accounting and tax practice for now 12 years I will say I have NEVER asked an employee nor have I personally ever buried anything. I have supported our team 100% when a mistake happens by making the tough phone call to our clients and letting them know what happened. We do our absolute best to get things right but sometimes mistakes do happen and when they do we will absolutely own up to them. Yes I am ADD, and yes we are a growing business so facts and circumstances change. When an employee isnt performing or able to get their work complete I do absolutely step in and ask them what I can do to help them and what resources do they need. After repeatedly having to follow up when a clients work is not complete or nothing is complete than I do manage the work. Our employees are left with as much independence and support as needed and as earned. Each person is different, some bring with them more experience and are better at different things than others. I believe my role as the owner is to support each person being the most successful they can be and to provide as much support and resources as necessary for them to be successful and to provide exceptional service. With regards to this former employee I do believe this individual struggled with the balance of home and work. The balance between family and working in a CPA firm with a tax season is difficult and challenging. Unfortunately the deadlines dont move. We have never limited someone working remotely or taking time off however during tax season things still need to be done. Our realistic expecation is 40 ish hours year round and 50-55ish hours during tax season from Feb 1-April 15th. This is ALWAYS made clear to everywhere who has worked here. With regards to turnover. We have a long and successful record of hiring and developing top talent. As a firm that is 12 years old, yes some of our people have decided to leave and some of have been asked to leave. It is one of the hardest things I have to do as the owner. In 12 years I have re-hired three people. All of them were people that had left on good terms and obviously were happy to come back. We do everything we can during our hiring process to make sure both parties think this is a good fit for them. Our goal is to have a place where people love coming to work everyday and being a part of something special. Unfortunately it doesn't always work out that way in spite of our best intentions.