(Congrove)
A client of GBQ Partners, based in Columbus, Ohio, shared a story about the accounting firm's impact on his business. The client inherited his company from his father and took it to the brink of collapse. A GBQ accountant, though, created a plan to stabilize the business and even advocated for the client with the bank.
Darci Congrove, managing director of GBQ Partners, says the client informed the firm, “I was able to keep people employed. They could put their children through college. I could do the same for my family.” The client said, “Without that accountant, I could not have done that.”
This story made Congrove and other GBQ leaders realize that they are “in the business of impacting people’s lives. It’s not just numbers in a box.”
This is just one example of why GBQ Partners is the recipient of the 2023 BBB International Torch Award for Ethics (100 to 499 employees category).
Committing to the Four Cs
The criteria for and the BBB International Torch Awards are based on the Four Cs: Character of the organization’s leadership, an authentic Culture, a transparent relationship with Customers, and impact on the local Community.
Character: “GBQ's founders built a firm where, to this day, associates are given ample room for personal career growth and remain supported by partners who truly care about every individual associate,” according to the company’s application for the International Torch Awards. “Individuals are provided with an opportunity for personalized career development as part of a highly motivated team inside of a growing and progressive organization. The firm believes people perform to their own best abilities when they are satisfied and challenged with their work.”
The firm follows up on that mission in many ways. The Empower Project focuses on career development for the next generation of company leaders. The GBQ Partner Pledge holds top management accountable for “ensuring a quality work experience for our associates.” A Code of Conduct guides employees on professional behavior, honesty and integrity, confidentiality, respect, and responsibility to GBQ and the community. Then, there is a requirement for CPAs to pass an ethics exam and take ongoing training. Plus, GBQ emphasizes the importance of a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace.
Culture: Congrove says she learned an important lesson during the COVID-19 pandemic. In her 30 years of experience, she was trained to take care of the client first. That was her mantra with staff as they dealt with remote work, homeschooling, family illnesses, and an abundance of work sparked by the economic stimulus bill. “Staff members were overwhelmed,” she says. “They asked, ‘What about us?’”
This made her reconsider her message. “We turned it around,” she says. “Take care of yourselves. Take care of what you need to do. We are trusting all of you to get the job done.”
She says that message built more trust among the staff to “inspire a compassionate, supportive, engaged culture because our associates deserve it.”. “The happiness and vitality of our associates are at the core of everything we do. From there, we work to share that energy, compassion, and engagement with our clients.”
Those relationships continue even if an employee leaves the company. “We have an alumni network,” she says. “We still talk to the people who used to work for us.”
Customer relationships: “If there’s one thing we like more than numbers,” says Congrove, “it’s empowering growth.” Client feedback is essential for GBQ to continue to provide exemplary service. And, she adds, “Being in the business of handling highly sensitive and confidential information, honesty, and integrity are at the root of everything we do. Timely and ongoing communication with all clients creates trust and sets the stage for honest and long-lasting relationships with our clients.”
Community: GBQ places a high value on community involvement. “Committed to Community” is a company initiative that offers associates the flexibility to volunteer at nonprofits (more than 100 and counting). This interaction gives staff members insight into issues they may not have been aware of. “We invest in our community at all levels of our organization, and we strive to provide an environment that encourages community, cooperation and life balance,” Congrove points out. “Simply put, we believe in the importance of giving back to the community and making a difference in the lives of others.”
