By Eric J. Wallace
150 West Main St., Norfolk | 757-625-4700 | WEC-CPA.com
Founded: 1989
Employees: 85 full-time employees and nine interns throughout the tax season
Wall, Einhorn & Chernitzer is Coastal Virginia’s second largest public accounting firm. In terms of workplace satisfaction, employees say there’s no competition.
“I show up each day knowing I work for a company that cares about me and my coworkers,” says Talent Acquisition and Development Manager Sarah Taylor. “That feeling of being supported is so important. It makes you feel like you’re a crucial team member, which makes work a lot more meaningful and definitely more fun.”
Taylor describes executives and shareholders as “incredibly receptive of staff feedback.” Employee suggestions led management to introduce five new perks and benefits in 2018 alone. When the company moved to a new office in 2015, team members participated in focus groups that helped determine what the space would look like. They weighed in on everything from wall colors, to chair design, to lighting fixtures, to computer screens and more. When staffers opined the company’s performance incentive plan—i.e. bonus structure—left something to be desired in 2017, shareholders invited them to suggest changes. All were promptly implemented.
“It doesn’t matter if you’re an intern, an administrator or a manager,” says Taylor. “Anyone in this firm can bring forth an idea to better the workplace environment, company culture or processes—whatever it is, you’re going to be listened to and received.” The open-door policy creates a sense of authenticity and transparency. “I’ve worked for other firms in the past and, honestly, this is like a breath of fresh air.”
Managing Shareholder Marty Einhorn says the company’s culture of caring leads to happy, productive employees. Combined with policies that prioritize internal promotion over external hiring and mentoring programs to affect training and create opportunities for advancement, it keeps turnover rates well below industry standards.
“Our company culture has led us to receive numerous regional and national workplace satisfaction awards, and we take pride in that,” says Einhorn. On a basic level, he believes the success of Wall, Einhorn & Chernitzer depends on “the respect we show our teammates. Trust and respect—that’s going to be the foundation of any great company.”
Work Perks:
- Incentive programs based on performance
- Matched 401(k)
- Fitness cost reimbursements up to $200 per year
- Flexible scheduling and telecommuting options
- Abbreviated 36-hour workweeks in the summer
- Paid time off to help with employee-selected community service projects
- Tuition and CPA licensure reimbursement
- Staffers can receive up to $10,000 for attracting new employees
- Bench Program that offers workforce development training and coaching for would-be future partners
- Open floorplan with equally sized offices replete with deluxe chairs, sit-to-stand desks and triple monitors
- Professional massages provided during tax seasonƒ
- Frequent pop-up happy hours
- Up to four weeks paid parental leave and paid bereavement leave
- Monthly firm-sponsored social activities and three to five largescale functions a year, including annual teambuilding events and/or family days
Why I Love My Job:
“We have a transparent, open-door culture in which all employees are encouraged to communicate to those above them, at their level and below them. This communication includes both personal and professional conversations. Our shareholders are incredibly transparent with regard to firm operations and where things stand. That creates a special level of trust and helps to empower us as their employees.” —Sarah Taylor, Talent Acquisition and Development Manager, about three years with Wall, Einhorn & Chernitzer, P.C.
