End of Year Recap & Looking Ahead: A Chat with our CEO

December 14th, 2022

Throughout 2022, companies across all industries were challenged with the continuing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, record-breaking inflation, the changing needs and desires of the workforce, and more. Companies were forced to modify their processes and strategies to accommodate these challenges, and as a result, many achieved great success.

As we approach the start of a new year, it’s the perfect time to recognize these challenges and successes of 2022 and look ahead to the year to come. We sat down with our Managing Partner and CEO, Bruce Zicari, to discuss TBG’s 2022 successes, future expectations and challenges for the firm and the accounting industry, and advice for those entering the workforce.

2022 Challenges and Successes

As the effects of pandemic continue to impact everyone on a personal and professional level, it is more important than ever to protect company culture while addressing the changing needs and desires of the workforce.

As a result of these ongoing challenges, TBD has been devoted much of the past year to maintaining and optimizing our employee experience. In June, 2022, we launched our To Be Greater campaign, which embodies the way our employee experience comes to life. This campaign is focused on our People and ensuring we support a healthy work-life balance.

“We’ve been committed to giving our professionals the flexibility they want and deserve, while maintaining our philosophy of being better together,” shared Bruce. “There’s still work to be done, but I’m proud of the success we’ve had to date in reducing compression and building an organization that values change, innovation, and feedback to ensure our people are equipped with the resources they need to collaborate with each other and serve our clients efficiently,” he continued.

Building a culture of continuous feedback is one of the ways TBG is working to optimize the employee experience. Through our Insights Team program, a firm-wide initiative centered upon listening to the voices of our people, we leveraged “Stay Interviews” to gather feedback from a cross-section of current employees to understand how our current practices impact performance, both positively and negatively.

Additionally, we have created Audit and Tax/SBA Transformation Teams in an effort to develop strategies and solutions to re-invent our work processes and improve the work-life balance of our client-facing professionals.

“These cross-level and department teams worked to gather feedback and identify ways to reduce traditional busy season compression, maximize engagement and recognition, and optimize work-life balance,” said Bruce.

Creating a culture of continuous feedback will continue to be a priority for the firm as we look ahead to 2023.

Expectations for the New Year

Within the accounting industry, Bruce anticipates a major focus on bringing people back together in meaningful ways and investing in innovation to optimize efficiencies and the overall employee experience. Additionally, the firm will continue to focus on using technology, offshoring, client culling, and changing pricing and delivery structures. “This will allow for enhanced culture, stronger relationships with colleagues and clients, and additional training and development,” he shared.

Bruce also foresees firms across the country continuing to focus on more innovative ideas to improve recruiting and retention, as the battle for talent in public accounting wages on.

“I’ve said it before, but people are looking for more than just a job now – they are looking to join a company driven and guided by purpose and core values that align with their own personal values,” said Bruce. “As a result, recruiting and retention strategies and employee satisfaction will continue to be extremely important in the year ahead and beyond.”

Advice For Accounting Industry Newcomers

At TBG, our leaders recognize the importance of mentorship and forging relationships within the accounting industry. Bruce identified this as one of the keys to a successful career, especially in public accounting.

“Never discount the value of building meaningful relationships with colleagues and clients,” said Bruce. “Be sure to take the time to identify mentors and foster relationships with them, outside of your direct managers and leaders.”

If you’re interested in learning more about the culture at TBG, visit our culture page here. And if you are interested in a career at TBG, check out our open positions here.