Culture Matters: Building the Wise Firm

Last week I told you about the first four differences I’ve experienced since I’ve been at HORNE. Below, I round out the list with the last three differences and why I am choosing HORNE.

5. HORNE Values People Before Profits

The support at the HORNE business advisory firm is exceptional. The sense of belonging is encouraging and fosters an environment of positive people who feel a connection with the work they do. HORNE realizes that people are much more effective when they actually enjoy what they do.

In September of 2014, I was under the impression that just about every accounting firm was the same, except that some were just larger than others. That completely changed nine months later when I began interning at HORNE. During my internship, I have learned a lot about accounting, but I’ve also learned a lot about culture and what makes one firm different from another. In particular, I’ve learned what makes HORNE so different from other public accounting firms.

Have you ever felt like you were misunderstood, like those around you didn’t appreciate or recognize your contributions, or that you just didn’t fit in? These are not uncommon experiences but they can present daunting barriers to reaching your full potential.

The reality is that most, if not all, of us have experienced these feelings at some point over the course of our career. Understanding these feelings and taking control of how we communicate with one another is key to unlocking our potential.

>If there’s something you should know about us at HORNE, it’s that we are serious about building the Wise Firm. Recently, I had the opportunity to hear some of our team members share their personal reasons for building the Wise Firm. It all started as part of a video project—we asked various team members to finish this sentence: I am choosing to build the Wise Firm because:_________________.

(I highly recommend you watch the video below.)

Thinking of Our 2020 Vision as a Roadmap

I have a confession to make:  I use Google Maps every day for my commute. You may think that my commute is arduous, complicated or that I’m new to the area. Turns out, my drive is only 5.6 miles, involves three turns on four roads, and I’ve lived in my current home for four years. 

In higher education, the end of the spring semester is always one of my favorite times of the academic year. One of the reasons I love working with students in college is the definitive beginnings and endings, and beginning again. From freshman move-in to the excitement of spring commencement ceremonies, there is seldom a dull moment! It is also during this time of year that I find myself counseling with soon to be graduates about their career search.

It is easy for new graduates entering the workforce to allow others to define for them what a good job and a good organization look like. Advice is more than plentiful from professors, family members and friends. But I coach graduates entering the workforce to decide for themselves the kind of employer and work environment they want. I challenge them to look beyond the name brand, starting salary and benefits, and perceived prestige of potential employers to instead really dig into the organization’s values, vision and culture.

Belonging Shown to be Key Indicator in Achievement

I grew up in public accounting. As a female in an industry where leadership is traditionally dominated by men, it’s safe to say I’ve experienced challenges. And, because of my own journey, championing a diverse and inclusive culture within our firm has long been a passion of mine. However, I’ve realized over the last few years that diversity and inclusion isn’t actually enough. We have to take it to another level.

What we really are striving for is a true sense of belonging. For everyone.

Last year, HORNE openly declared a war on accounting firm culture.  Why?  Because, to paraphrase Herb Stein, things that can’t go on forever, won’t.  And the culture of public accounting simply can’t go on without significant change to the way we work.

I’m a huge fan of Patrick Lencioni, author of The Advantage.

Lencioni says that businesses can no longer outsmart our competition. He says the speed of technology and knowledge will not allow us to maintain a competitive advantage from being smarter. In fact, he determines in his work that the only real, long-term advantage a company can establish is a strong culture. A powerfully engaged team.