New Jersey Names J.H. Cohn LLP ‘Best Place to Work’

While recruiting and retaining top talent remains a major pain point for accounting firms throughout the nation, J.H. Cohn’s commitment to advancing the careers of its most important resource – its people - has been affirmed through NJBiz’s “Best Places to Work” award. One of the country’s largest accounting and consulting firms headquartered in New Jersey, and a leader throughout the Northeast, J.H. Cohn is recognized for its growth and quality of life initiatives within the community and by its employees, and has refreshed its integrated marketing campaign to reflect that.

“Our business is our people. Becoming an employer of choice is a top priority for J.H. Cohn’s management team, and we’ve invested heavily into the programs and resources that have made a real difference in their lives and careers,” said Tom Marino, CEO of J.H. Cohn, noting that the firm’s turnover rate is below 10 percent, versus the industry standard of 15 to 20 percent.

Primarily serving the accounting, tax and audit needs of the middle market, J.H. Cohn differentiates itself through the strength of its professionals and partner-level service in every relationship. As a measure for continuing to attract industry leaders, J.H. Cohn supports firm-wide employee initiatives, including:

• Professional Women’s Initiative – J.H. Cohn Professional Women’s Initiative, established in 2005, is a multi-pronged program created to address women’s personal and career objectives within the accounting and consulting industries. Since the program’s inception, the Women’s Initiative champions have worked to recruit, retain and advance women’s careers through one-on-one mentoring; seminars designed to build non-technical skills; online resources for sharing information and resources; and meetings that address work/life policies and issues.

• Corporate Quality of Life Committees – J.H. Cohn’s Corporate Quality of Life Council has proven that constant communication and input from resources all across the Firm are key factors in successful employee communication and achieving positive results. Comprised of numerous subcommittees, including top management, Office Managing Partners and department heads, the Council undertakes projects aimed at boosting employee morale, improving employees’ day-to-day life, and maintaining open lines of communication between the partners and staff. Tangible Committee results include free back massages, post-tax season parties, and moving to an Intranet in order to streamline employee communications.

• J.H. Cohn Partner Academy – The Firm’s Partner Academy offers managerial and career development training to high-potential, manager-level employees. The program provides up-and-coming professionals with exposure to top J.H. Cohn management and enables them to participate in programs structured to identify solutions to common managerial issues and introduce them to the Firm’s processes. In 2006, 33 percent of Academy participants were elected to the Firm’s Partnership.

“Our commitment to our employees is embedded in our culture, and is reflected in the way we conduct business and interact with the community and our clients,” Marino said. “We want our employees to benefit and grow through opportunities to network, mentor and balance outside interests with their careers. The fact they recognize the steps we’ve taken to foster their growth and enhance their overall quality of life reinforces that.”

J.H. Cohn has also taken steps to ensure its brand reflects its dedication to its employees by incorporating all levels of staff into the Firm’s new marketing collateral, featuring their personal pursuits outside the workplace. The Firm also devotes significant resources to a media relations program that elevates awareness for employees and their expertise, and provides them with the opportunity to remain in front of topical issues in the marketplace.

Nominated in the ‘Best Places to Work Large-Sized Companies (250 employees or more)’ category, approximately 70 percent of J.H. Cohn employees completed surveys addressing their views and satisfaction of Firm initiatives such as family-friendly work environment, flexibility in schedule, one-on-one mentoring, networking, firm benefits and perks. The final ranking will be announced in an April 16 ceremony at the “Best Places to Work in New Jersey” awards ceremony at the Hilton in East Brunswick, New Jersey.

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