What to Expect if Hired

If you are an accountant or know someone who is, you probably know that public accounting is currently one of the most competitive industries, both locally and nationally. The market is tight; today there are fewer accounting graduates than in years past, and more public firms competing for their talent. Freed Maxick & Battaglia, CPAs, PC is Western New York’s largest public accounting firm, and attributes much of its success to retaining high-potential and talented employees. This retention effort starts on Day One.

“First impressions are everything when you welcome a new employee,” said Human Resources Director, Julie Becht. “New hires are energetic and determined, with high expectations of our Firm. When we find the right person, we want to make sure we meet those expectations by making good on all the promises we made during the interview process, and by making them feel like part of the team immediately. These people have invested countless hours in their job search, and the last thing we want to do is disappoint them once they walk in that door.”

To help ensure that a new employee’s transition into his or her new role is as stress-free as possible, Freed Maxick implemented a “buddy system” several years ago. This system pairs the new hire with a “go-to” person who can help him or her get adjusted to life at Freed Maxick. The buddy is not the new hire’s supervisor, but rather an employee close to the same level within the company who can offer insight into any given position.

“We try to match people up with someone who graduated from the same college or university, has a similar work history, or is interested in the same hobbies,” explained Becht. “This person welcomes the employee on the first day, gives him or her an office tour, and provides staff introductions. The buddy is also key in answering any questions the employee may have, regarding anything from how to get office supplies to where to go for lunch. This program helps the new hire acclimate to his or her surroundings in a completely non-threatening way, which alleviates at least some of the anxiety that comes along with starting a new job.”

 “We’ve had great success with the buddy system,” added Shawn Frier, one of the Firm’s Directors. “Not only is it a tremendous help for new employees, but it also gives our current employees a chance to gain valuable mentoring experience. This is a draw for prospects since we can provide assurance that we will help them establish important relationships early on that will grow into ongoing learning opportunities.”

Providing new employees with a buddy is not the only step Freed Maxick takes to ensure a successful first impression. Each new hire has a planned schedule for their first few days of employment, which includes a Firm overview and basic training, benefits information, key introductions, and even an off-site lunch with various staff members.

“Before I even officially started, a group of us- including myself and several other new hires- were taken out to dinner by some of the staff,” explained Heather, who has been with Freed Maxick since November. “It was nice to come in on my first day and already see some familiar faces. That experience set the tone for what has been a great orientation period for me here.”

A company-wide announcement is emailed prior to the employee’s start date, and new employees get their photo taken, which is then displayed in various locations throughout the office to boost recognition by the staff.

“I was impressed that everyone here was actually saying my last name correctly on my first day,” said Alicia, who started at Freed Maxick in February. “I found out it was because there was an email sent out before I started that gave its phonetic pronunciation. Although that seems trivial, it’s those little gestures that make you feel welcome when starting some place new.”

Another important factor in establishing initial job satisfaction is including new hires in major projects right from the start. “I was introduced to the management group at their monthly management meeting and immediately put to work with different groups, such as our international group and the newly-formed state and local tax focus group,” said Bill, who joined the Firm in November. “Right away, I had the opportunity to be involved with some new client proposals and put to work on a new public company client. Since some of my key responsibilities are to help grow the practice and take on new, large engagements, these initial assignments build upon my interests and skills sets, and will provide me with a solid foundation for my career here.”

In addition to its emphasis on properly welcoming new employees into their job function within the company, Freed Maxick prides itself in providing its workforce with a healthy work/life balance. This becomes immediately apparent to new employees. “It’s important to get to know your coworkers in social settings since it helps grow work relationships into friendships, which, in turn, creates a healthier work environment,” said Becht. “We offer our employees a number of social activities, which help create a better sense of community, and give everyone various opportunities to meet and get to know coworkers they may not otherwise have the chance to work with.” These social activities include annual events such as a family picnic, a holiday party, the Corporate Challenge run, and end of tax season celebrations.  In addition, the Firm purchases employee tickets for Bills games and Sabres games, and sponsors softball and bowling teams.

“These all-inclusive social activities, coupled with the structured, expansive orientation period, provide the basis for a well-rounded, successful, and hopefully long-term career at Freed Maxick,” said Kelly, a Senior Accountant with the Firm. “Right from the start, employees are exposed to the Firm’s unique atmosphere, which is less competitive and more nurturing in nature than other firms.  Our employees spend less time worrying about co-workers’ professional success and more time focusing on learning and teaching.”  As a result, company morale is high, and the Firm continues to hire new, qualified employees while retaining a majority of its current workforce of over 200 people.

“Both the employer and the employee put a lot of effort into matching the right person with the right job, and you don’t want to lose that momentum once the relationship officially begins,” Becht stated. “We recognize the importance of making everyone feel like an integral part of the team from inception, and want everyone to feel confident that they made the right choice to work for us.”

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