I am a leader, a motivator.-Andy Armanino |
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1) What is your role at Armanino McKenna LLP (AMLLP)?I am the Managing Partner of the firm and my role includes setting strategy, maintaining quality control, and identifying opportunities to keep us innovative. What I thrive on most is ensuring the growth and advancement opportunity for our employees and keeping them motivated and engaged to deliver for our clients. 2) Why are potential recruits attracted to AMLLP and what keeps your firm able to maintain such high retention rates over your national counterparts?Recruits like to be part of a winning team – a firm that is growing, offers opportunities and has an exciting culture. Armanino McKenna has doubled in growth over the last four years and ranked amongst the “25 Best of the Best” accounting firms in the country. The turnover rate is less than half the national average here. People stay because of our culture and the life/work balance. They don’t want to be in a CPA firm that just crunches numbers day in and day out. They want to be a part of a passionate team that loves what they do and the people they work with. We offer training programs, leadership programs, and teach them “soft skills,” like how to communicate. As a firm, we focus a great deal on mentoring our newer staff. Our partners and managers are always out in the field with our junior execs. They get great satisfaction out of teaching our employees to grow as people, not just as CPAs. We also firmly believe that if our people are happy, that will drive great client service. |
3) In this campaign, you’re “more than an accountant” please explain how you are more than just an accountant – and how does that add to an AMLLP experience?I am more than an accountant; I’m a motivator. A leader. In addition to being a skilled CPA, I run the day-to-day activities of our company. I engage the staff on a daily basis to communicate and create a dialogue for questions or concerns regarding the firm or our clients. I also motivate our employees by offering a combination of the best training, career mentoring programs and an empowering work environment. This positively-charged atmosphere creates people who are driven to work for us and love to work for their clients. 4) How are AMLLP’s services different from smaller accounting agencies? How is AMLLP different from the Big Four?Our approach is more thoughtful and less process-driven. The world sees accountant firms as this group of nerdy people with their heads down. We’re the opposite of that. We’re smart, great communicators, and we interact with the client. We have great relationships with our clients – on a personal level; not just a business level. We are also great business people. |
I help you win.-Tom Gard |
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1) What is your area of expertise at Armanino McKenna LLP (AMLLP)?I’m a CPA and the Partner In-Charge of Audit Department with AMLLP. I work with publicly traded and private clientele in a variety of industries. 2) What are clients looking for when they seek the services from your department at AMLLP? What are their primary concerns? Please give an example.Clients look to my department primarily for their annual audit, but most clients want more than just an audited financial statement. Clients who really want value-added service ask for advice on more aspects of their business. AMLLP doesn’t just provide the required audit procedures. If a client is looking to expand, considering an acquisition or needs help navigating through a tough issue, they’ll call me. We strategize, investigate and evaluate our clients’ systems to identify operating efficiencies. Specializing in industries such as technology, financial services, nonprofits, and professional services in public and private sectors, we offer ways to help our clients improve their cash flow and operating processes, in addition to our customary audit services. 3) Who does your department serve?My department is the largest department at our firm and thereby has the most depth and breadth of resources. Our clients range from smaller start-ups to those with annual revenues in the several billions. However, most of our clients are in the middle market and have revenues from $10 or $20 million to $150 million. |
4) In this campaign, you’re “more than an accountant” please explain how you are more than just an accountant – and how does that add to an AMLLP experience?I am more than an accountant; I help you win. My clients depend on me to assist them in reviewing their business practices to fine-tune their operating strategies and to become more profitable. As a former CFO and Executive Leader of a top ranked “Best of the Best” Accounting Firm, I understand businesses from the inside. I use this knowledge to help clients address their business issues and ultimately reach their long-term business goals. 5) How are AMLLP’s services different from the Big Four?We’re extraordinarily responsive to all our clients. Clients we have converted from Big Four firms have told us their experiences with the Big Four, which sometimes includes unreturned calls or lack of face-time with their engagement partners or managers. In addition, the personnel turnover in the Big Four is so high the clients may never really get to know their accounting professionals. Conversely, with AMLLP, our employees stay with us longer as indicated by our 11% low turnover rate compared to the industry average of 25 – 30%. Our clients get a more consistent team year in and year out, so business relationships are solid – always. 6) Why does your staff want to be part of your team?We hold on to our team because we foster teamwork every day. Also, our junior execs are always out with clients with the senior partners. Our people genuinely care about their clients and each other, and they get thanked for that constantly. Sometimes it’s just the little things that make our people happy – making them happy to work for our clients. |
I train and educate your employees.-Esther Ratterree |
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1) What is your area of expertise at Armanino McKenna LLP (AMLLP)?I’m a CPA and Partner In-Charge of Accounting Solutions. In addition, one of my specializations is nonprofits and accounting software for nonprofits. 2) What are clients looking for when they seek the services from your department at AMLLP? What are their primary concerns? Please give an example.Clients usually seek our help because they’re in search of a tighter and more developed accounting infrastructure. Their concerns are whether they need accounting software, basic accounting training, support, and cash management. What we do is bring in a team to work as their in-house accounting department. As we help them become stable, we train them in the software and basic processes, so they can eventually run their department by themselves. Our clients start with us and grow with us. 3) In this campaign, you’re “more than an accountant” please explain how you are more than just an accountant – and how does that add to an AMLLP experience?I’m more than an accountant because I’m also a trainer and an educator. I don’t just come in with my team and crunch numbers. We become your accounting department; we sit with you and your accounting team and train them on the appropriate procedures and processes. As the client grows and/or the team becomes accustomed to the basic procedures and becomes self-sustaining, we transition out. We’ll still check in and make sure all is running smoothly. |
4) How are the services in your department different from those offered at other accounting firms?Many firms no longer offer these specialized services. We differentiate ourselves in that we know your accounting software. We have an IT department that sells and supports a number of products, so our staff is well versed in products currently in use and even those just being released. We have certified QB advisors, staff with knowledge of Great Plains, MAS90, MIP, Blackbaud, and others. 5) Why does your staff want to be a part of your team?Our staff enjoys the variety of clients they get to work with. They also really enjoy helping and training them so that they succeed and have a better understanding of the work they do. |
I am your advocate.-Brad Cless |
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1) What is your area of expertise at Armanino McKenna LLP (AMLLP)?I’m a CPA and Partner In-Charge of the Tax Department. 2) What are clients looking for when they seek the services from your department at AMLLP? What are their primary concerns? Please give an example.Clients look to us for help with tax preparation, tax planning and consulting, but more importantly they are looking for a strategy. From doctors to rock stars, I’ve worked with my clients to meet their professional and personal goals. The tax department works with companies from many industries such as technology, healthcare, manufacturing, real estate, and construction both privately and publicly owned. Because of our firm’s depth and size, we work with a wide variety of clients that have 1 million to 1 billion dollars in annual revenue. We’re usually contacted by company owners, controllers and COOs. AMLLP is also very much a “one-stop shop.” We offer expertise in all areas of accounting, so we can consult outside our individual departments to get additional guidance. 3) In this campaign, you’re “more than an accountant” please explain how you are more than just an accountant – and how does that add to an AMLLP experience?We are more than accountants; we’re CPAs with a pulse on our clients’ business. I’m also their advocate. I make it my business to know my clients’ business inside and out, and I work hard on their behalf because I want them to flourish in every aspect of their life. We strive to stay ahead of our game, so we can help clients make successful decisions regarding their tax planning. |
4) What do you most enjoy about your work?I am constantly learning. I don’t know everything. Everyday I learn something new. Our business is all about learning new aspects of what we do every day which is what keeps me invested and excited to come to work everyday. We try to stay “outside the box” when deciding the most profitable course of action for our clients’ tax planning. 5) How are AMLLP’s services different from smaller accounting firms? How is AMLLP different from the Big Four?One of the biggest differences between the Big Four and AMLLP is that the Big Four sticks to primarily FCC clients. We work with a wide variety of clients, from small firms to billion-dollar corporations. We are also very affordable compared to Big Four firms. Small firms usually have a difficult time staying on top of the ever increasing regulations and special concerns regarding the particular industries of their clients and they just don’t have the resources to work with multi-million dollar corporations. 6) Why does your staff want to be part of your team?Because we are more than just number crunchers. We create an environment where our people constantly learn, solve problems and help our clients make smart decisions. Maintaining great business relationships and loving what we do on a day-to-day basis keeps us energized and excited to work for our clients. |
I bring clarity in a complex world.-David Sordello |
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1) What is your area of expertise at Armanino McKenna LLP (AMLLP)?I’m a CPA and Partner in the Tax Department. 2) What are clients looking for when they seek the services from your department at AMLLP? What are their primary concerns? Please give an example.My department works with high-risk FCC companies with annual revenues of 100 million to 1 billion. We’re usually contacted by CFOs, controllers, or directors of finance, and work primarily with clients in the tech industry, such as semiconductor, software, hardware and Internet companies. Clients look to us for a high level of knowledge and expertise, but we deliver it as one of their team members. We work closely with our clients, and many times we are acting as their internal tax team. In these instances our interaction is more frequent than if we were just meeting a compliance requirement. We provide such services as internal tax provisions, corporate tax compliance and consulting, R&D credits, accounting periods and methods, and tax laws on a very complex level. Our clients come to us with a wide range of issues; usually they’re located in multiple jurisdictions, multiple states and countries, expanding globally. And because they’re multi-national, they usually need auditing standards and compliance services with added complexity. 3) In this campaign, you’re “more than an accountant” please explain how you are more than just an accountant – and how does that add to an AMLLP experience?We are more than accountants; we’re experienced CPAs who utilize our understanding of compliance issues in the tech sector to cut through the complexities so you can make better business decisions. We also like to have fun while doing it. If applicable, we’ll even act as your company’s internal tax department, and as an acting internal tax department, we make it our goal to help our clients understand why they should be concerned about the issues they’re dealing with – especially when it comes to complicated financial/accounting tax issues. We don’t just come in and do tax returns and leave. We want to engage you in the process, giving you clarity to all the issues surrounding your accounting department. One of the most interesting elements of working with AMLLP is that we have several partners in all areas of accounting, so if we need to consult with another partner regarding an area my department doesn’t usually handle, we’ll find the partner that does. |
4) How are AMLLP’s services different from the Big Four?I spent the majority of my career with the Big Four and I see one of the biggest differences is our service delivery model. The Big Four has a specific delivery model, and abides by that model for every client. We don’t have a strict business model to which we adhere every time we help a client. We morph our model or approach as our clients need us to morph. In essence, we have a different model per client need. Also, at any given time, we can consult with our partners in other fields of accounting, so our clients have a full breadth of services well within reach. Big Four firms are too big to mold themselves to the individual needs of different companies, so if a client needs a ‘tailored’ service or needs somebody out at their company, they can’t do it. We also differ from Big Four firms because of our level of specialization, experience and cost. Most importantly, clients aren’t usually accustomed to having a high-level partner serve their accounts. They’re not used to meeting managers and partners. This gives each client a higher level of consulting and guidance. 5) Why does your staff want to be part of your team?Several of our team members come to AMLLP with Big Four experience, and they are energized to be so hands-on and involved with our clients and part of our client’s decision-making process. Plus the opportunities and growth in our area offers great career advancements. |
I increase profit and reduce costs.-Cathy Thomas |
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1) What is your area of expertise at Armanino McKenna LLP (AMLLP)?I’m a CPA and Partner In-Charge of Risk Management Consulting Services. 2) What are clients looking for when they seek the services from your department at AMLLP? What are their primary concerns? Please give an example.Clients look to us for help with technical accounting needs, internal auditing, forensic fraud, risk awareness and cyber security – generally a large scope of accounting services that also focuses on preventing adverse variations of profitability or loss. More of our larger clients are becoming increasingly concerned with such cyber obstacles as identity theft, so we help them solve those problems. My department works with mid-market to Fortune 1000 companies with annual revenues of 500 million to several billion. We’re usually contacted by company CIOs and COOs. Our clients find us via referrals and through our existing network. 3) In this campaign, you’re “more than an accountant” please explain how you are more than just an accountant – and how does that add to an AMLLP experience?We are more than accountants; we’re CPAs, CISSP, CISAs with solution-centered thinking to help increase profit and reduce loss. We want to be your trusted business advisor, the person you call first to help solve your business issues. We try to find the best solutions, not just complete your project and leave. We will identify, measure, manage and oversee every aspect of your accounting processes in order to bring your company to the next level. Typical accountants are usually black and white, which comes with certain constraints. Being a part of AMLLP eliminates those constraints. Our team offers a vast number of partners in all areas, so if we need to consult with another partner regarding an area my department doesn’t usually handle, we’ll augment appropriately. |
4) How are AMLLP’s services different from smaller accounting agencies? How is AMLLP different from the Big Four?One of the biggest differences between the Big Four and AMLLP is that we’re far more cost effective. We do not burn our staff out by requiring them to work significant overtime, this ensures you will have fresh thoughts as we deliver our services. We offer the same types of integrated accounting services, but we get it done twice as fast at half the cost. Since our clients are large corporations, they generally tend to lean toward the Big Four or a company like ours, not smaller agencies. Smaller agencies wouldn’t have the bandwidth for outsourcing or the volume of partners with such a wide array of practice areas. 5) Why does your staff want to be part of your team?They want to make a difference, they want to have their clients value their advice. Many of my staff have had 10-20 year careers elsewhere but still want to make a difference without having to work ridiculous hours. |
I'm your competitive advantage.-Tom Mescall |
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1) What is your area of expertise at Armanino McKenna LLP (AMLLP)?I’m Partner In-Charge of the IT Solutions Department at AMLLP. 2) What are clients looking for when they seek the services from your department at AMLLP? What are their primary concerns? Please give an example.Clients look to my department for business solutions involving integration and implementation of new IT solutions. We also offer user training for those solutions. Clients ask us to study their companies to help them figure out which technologies their company should utilize to get to the next level, or how to integrate their existing technology with a new one. We specialize in back office software, accounting software, inventory management, order management, manufacturing, customer service and human resources. Usually, our clients are in need of new business software. We do our best to give them the solution best suited for their business needs. We’re contacted by CFOs, COOs and directors of IT. Most of our clients are complex, mid-market companies with annual revenues of $20 to $200 million dollars annually. 3) In this campaign, you’re “more than an accountant” please explain how you are more than just an accountant – and how does that add to an AMLLP experience?I am more than an accountant; I help your company get the competitive advantage it needs to be successful through the improvement of your technology, people and business processes. I also know that technology is a significant expenditure for companies, so we take it seriously. I look at companies from a business perspective to help clients decide the best course of action for their IT solutions and integration. We offer user training to ensure adoption of technology and a faster return on investment. My team understands that today’s information technology is becoming an integral part of every company's competitive advantage. Utilizing technology properly is a way many of our clients are enabling fast growth without the continued need to add headcount. |
4) How are AMLLP’s services different from other IT Solution providers?AMLLP understands the problem from the beginning, and on all levels including accounting, IT, and business process. We have IT specialists, business consultants and CPAs. The biggest difference between other IT solution companies and AMLLP is that we know how to integrate business applications, not just how to implement one. AMLLP also has the resources to put a full-time team onsite for you. Most companies don’t have the resources to do the same. Smaller consultancies usually don’t specialize in such a wide array of services involving IT and accounting. 5) Why does your staff want to be part of your team?We work in a fast-paced environment with a lot of variety. Our consulting team loves the variation in work, clients and locations. Additionally, the technology space is ever changing. Our people thrive in this exciting learning environment. Given the variety of work, we provide three times the industry average in training our people – that is hard to find anywhere else! |
