What Makes Our Firm a ‘Best Place to Work’?

We often talk about what it means to be a best place to work, a concept that is ingrained in the founding fabric of our firm. Joy at work is one of our core values; it’s in our culture and our firm’s DNA. Our people feel recognized, rewarded and valued, and that employee satisfaction translates into strong client relationships. Our people-first firm culture has won us numerous accolades from Accounting Today and Florida Trend, and for the ninth time, the South Florida Business Journal listed the Kaufman Rossin Group last week as one of the “Best Places to Work” in South Florida. Read on to see why Kaufman Rossin employees from across our practice areas, offices, and generations believe our firm is a “best place.”

In your opinion, what makes a company a ‘best place to work’? 

Kaufman Rossin professionals at the 2015 Best Place to Work Awards

• “It’s not about the bells and whistles, it’s about a culture of caring for one another!” – Blain Heckaman, managing principal of Kaufman Rossin Group; started in 1984
• “I believe the flexibility to have a work/life balance is extremely important and makes a company a ‘best place to work.’” – Sandi Jarrett, supervisor of entrepreneurial services; started in 2010
• “Open and honest communication between management and employees, resulting in a shared vision and common goal, is key. The company also has to promote a fun atmosphere where everyone gets to laugh as often as possible.”– Ken Dubow, principal of entrepreneurial services; started in 1979
• “As with any professional organization, we work very hard at Kaufman Rossin, but the firm’s culture stresses a balanced work-home life, which is an important quality of a ‘best place to work.’ This allows me to not only bring value to the organization and our clients, but I’m also able to be an active and involved father and husband.” – Edward Gannon, principal of forensic, advisory and valuation services; started in 1994

What is the best thing about working at Kaufman Rossin? 

• “The people – hands down.” – Tiphanie Rood, entrepreneurial services staff; started in 2012
• “Watching our smart, young staff members learn and grow as professionals, and mentoring them along the way. It’s great when they tell me ‘now I get it.’” – Natalie Sands, entrepreneurial services principal; started in 1984
• “Everyone is allowed to grow at their own pace and has the ability to prosper, to branch out into the areas they like, and to go as far as their commitment allows them to go.” –Steven Davis, principal of entrepreneurial services; started in 1976
• “Working with great people with shared values and dedication to the firm family makes it not only a great place to work, but also an enriching life experience.” – Jim Kaufman, CEO and founding principal; founded firm in 1962

 How has the firm helped you to grow as a professional? 

• “The firm has allowed me to create my own path. I can move as fast or slow as I want to, as long as I am vocal about the driving factors behind my ideas and decisions. If you want to grow fast, the firm provides the tools and resources that allow you to do so.” – Richard Salinas, supervisor of risk advisory services; started in 2012 
• “The firm has helped me grow as a professional by providing me with numerous opportunities requiring me to step outside of my comfort zone. True career growth happens when you are challenged to step outside of your normal routine.”  – Adam Rabinowitz, manager of forensic, advisory and valuation services; started in 2011 
• “Kaufman Rossin has given me countless opportunities for growth. I began my career here as an administrative assistant only three years ago and am now in charge of firm-wide recruitment.”  – Lorienne Dittmar, HR and recruiting coordinator; started in 2012
• “The firm has helped me grow by allowing me the opportunity to make mistakes and learn from them. The company provided me with all of the resources I needed to be successful, and ultimately my success was up to me.” – Robert Alonso, director of hedge fund and private equity services; started in 2003
• “I started in the file room, and little by little, Kaufman Rossin has given me the opportunity to grow in my career. Now I’m the tax processing manager for our Miami, Ft. Lauderdale and Boca Raton offices. The firm has invested time and training to get me to where I am today, and I still have the drive and ambition to learn and accept new challenges to keep growing within this great organization.” – Raul Feraud, manager of tax processing; started in 2002

What is your favorite memory from working here? 

• “Boat day – all of them.” – Tyler Quinn, manager of assurance services; started in 2008
• “Keith Sharkey and I were working on an engagement related to the liquidation of a bank in Venezuela, and we were living in a hotel there for about 10 months. It was a lot of work, but we had a lot of fun.” – Jorge de Cardenas, founder and director of Kaufman Rossin Fund Services; started in 1993
• “When Kaufman Rossin Fund Services (our hedge fund administrator) played Kaufman Rossin (our CPA and advisory firm) in the annual employee football game.” – Michelangelo Hernandez, hedge fund services staff; started in 2012
• “In honor of the firm’s 50^th anniversary, Rose Taksier-Jones, our longest-serving employee, wrote a song and got up in front of 300 people at our semi-annual employee seminar to sing the song about her memories of the firm and how special it has been to work here. That continues to ring quite true for me as well, and that was indeed a very special moment.” – Gerald Michelson, principal of assurance and advisory services; started in 1975

So, what do you think makes a “best place to work”? Leave a comment and let us know!