KPMG Employer of Choice
February 20, 2007
· Bruce Pfau, Vice Chair, Human Resources
· Brian Gifford, Tax Associate, Federal Tax Practice
· Tanesja Young, Tax Manager, Federal Tax
· Stephen Fisher, Associate, Information Risk Management, Risk Advisory Services
· Cathy Caroppoli, Senior Administrative Assistant, Dept. of Professional Practice
· Joshua Butler, Associate, Metro Business Unit, Audit Practice
Bruce: Sometimes the best way to get a feel for what we're doing in the area of Employer of Choice is to hear from some employees themselves. Brian, I take it that you’ve looked at a couple of different career tracks while you've been at KPMG. Can you tell us a little bit about it?
Brian: I started with KPMG in 2004 in the Audit Practice and I had a strong interest in tax while I was in college. It turned out that it was very easy to be able to do a rotation in the tax program. And I've been there for about a year-and-a-half now. And I absolutely love it.
Bruce: Tanesja, mentoring has meant a lot to you in your career. Can you tell us something about it?
Tanesja: Sure, Bruce. About four years ago, I was experiencing some challenges with the firm. And my mentor at the time took me under her wing, recognized that those challenges did exist and helped me find solutions.
Bruce: What's involved in the mentoring program?
Tanesja: A mentor is someone who you trust, who you feel comfortable discussing your personal concerns as well as any other issues that might come up. They're also great at helping you to assess your strengths and your development areas, and also introducing you to new opportunities and helping you succeed at those opportunities.
Bruce: Steve, I understand that you have professional interests that go beyond just public accounting. And that the firm has been pretty flexible about allowing you to pursue those interests.
Stephen: Currently I'm taking advantage of KPMG's flexible work agreement. I play professional soccer for a team in Harrisburg -- they’re called the Harrisburg City Islanders. For six months out of the year, I work part-time for KPMG -- about 20 hours a week. And then the rest of the time I spend playing soccer.
Bruce: That's terrific. How did you work this out?
Stephen: I brought up the idea to my performance manager, and he was really the one who tied it to the flexible work agreement and really took it to our leaders in Philadelphia.
Bruce: Cathy, a key question is whether people feel that you treat them as individuals and create sort of a family and team environment.
Cathy: Yes, in 2005, my sister was in a near fatal car crash. She suffered severe traumatic brain injury. I did not have any vacation time left. And then a partner in my department introduced me to the idea of the shared leave benefit. It allows people within the firm to donate their own personal time to somebody in need.
Bruce: How's your sister doing now?
Cathy: She's doing great.
Bruce: Josh, can you tell us a little bit about what it's been like to launch your career here?
Joshua: Well, actually I launched my career as a summer intern. KPMG made a concerted effort to recruit me as a sophomore, where other firms where I was considering opportunities did not make that effort. And I was able to do that because of the Inroads program that KPMG is a proponent of. And thus far, I've been with the firm six months and have had that same support, and that same great experience.
Bruce: These are the elements that make KPMG an Employer of Choice, a great place to work and a great place to build a career. Thank you all for sharing.