By Deepika Naharas, Director
I started writing this blog on my birthday. I was counting my blessings and realized that one of them is my work family!
After 25 years of navigating various industries and corporate landscapes, discovering a professional haven where one feels comfortable and heard is a rarity. People want to work where they feel at home.
We all seek environments that acknowledge our achievements, encourage us to work on our weaknesses, and provide abundant opportunities to learn and coach others. KBC is just that for me.
Founded by Stanley Kong and Carolyn Basile, KongBasileConsulting (KBC) has been in the industry for over a decade. Leveraging their experience at PwC, eBay/PayPal/StubHub, and Airbnb, they transformed their vision into a finance and accounting firm known for its focus on clients and dedication to supporting employee growth and work-life balance.
After COVID-19, many companies mandated remote work arrangements. However, KBC, guided by visionary leadership, had already embraced a virtual office setup since its inception, allowing for continued success in this new normal.
So, here’s the question: what do people generally desire in their ideal job scenario?
- Positive work environment
- Team collaboration
- Professional development
- Work-life balance
- Company benefits
- Recognition and appreciation
- Company achievements
Fortunately, KBC checks all these boxes.
Positive Work Environment
The work culture at KBC is unique and extraordinary. The founders’ positivity trickles down from the Leadership team to newly onboarded Associates.
Emphasis on the mentorship program, women’s initiative, quality initiatives, coaching, knowledge-sharing forums, monthly team meetings, fun activities, and volunteering collectively make the lives of our number-crunching accountants more exciting.
Team Collaboration
Collaboration is not just a buzzword at KBC; it’s a way of life. Here, mutual respect and unwavering support define our interactions.
Team members seamlessly cover for each other during absences or emergencies because we’re all working to achieve shared goals. This collaborative ethos underpins our ability to deliver high-touch services to our esteemed clientele, which is particularly crucial in navigating the dynamic landscape of startups.
Professional Development
At KBC, learning is not merely encouraged; it’s ingrained in our DNA.
The leadership team is committed to challenging and empowering team members to acquire new skills. Performance reviews – conducted semiannually and annually – provide a platform for constructive feedback and charting individual growth trajectories. This commitment extends to promotions based solely on merit and achievement, independent of tenure.
We’ve had numerous instances at KBC where individuals joined as Associates straight out of college and progressed through 2–3 rounds of promotions. Now, they hold managerial positions.
Janet Liao, now thriving as a Manager, illustrates this career trajectory and KBC’s supportive environment:
“I joined KBC seven years ago. As a busy mom with a toddler then, I was drawn to its work-life balance. KBC offers a respectful and motivating work environment that has allowed me to grow professionally. The leadership team is receptive to feedback, the operations team is supportive, and my colleagues are always willing to lend a helping hand. Asking questions is never an issue here. I am fortunate to have started my accounting career at KBC, which has proven to be the perfect place for me.”
Moreover, KBC offers a wealth of professional development opportunities that set us apart. Our team members gain exposure to dynamic and innovative companies in various technology industries, which gives them invaluable experience in navigating the unique challenges and opportunities within the startup ecosystem.
This also fosters an environment where team members can rapidly expand their skills and knowledge. Moreover the opportunity to collaborate with exciting start ups and contribute to their growth in early stages is incredibly rewarding.
Work-Life Balance
Janet’s testimonial underscores KBC’s genuine commitment to work-life balance. Employees are expected and encouraged to take time off and even given incentives in summer to do so.
For working parents, KBC is a dream come true. Flexibility is not just a perk but a fundamental principle, allowing employees to tailor their schedules while prioritizing personal commitments. I have not had this kind of work-life balance in any of my prior jobs.
This emphasis on flexibility has retained and re-attracted talent to KBC, as evidenced by the experiences of Director Dan Shinstrom. Reflecting on his journey, he shares:
“I am a unique case at KBC as I am on my second stint at the firm. I originally joined 9+ years ago, but in 2021, I left to join a startup as one of their first finance hires. However, all the aspects that originally lured me to KBC 9+ years ago are still true today and are the reasons I came back: an opportunity to do exciting work with excellent people while maintaining a healthy work-life balance. It seems like a fairly simple recipe: do cool stuff with cool people and don’t burn yourself out doing it, but what I have found throughout my career (as well as talking with others in my network) is that it’s fairly easy to find a company that can do 2 out of 3, but that only KBC has been able to deliver on 3 out of 3 consistently.”
Company Benefits
Besides standard benefits like medical coverage and retirement plans, KBC distinguishes itself through its transparent salary structure.
As a fully remote company, KBC offers the flexibility of remote work, empowering our team to be comfortable while maintaining productivity and a healthy work-life balance.
To support this remote setup, KBC offers benefits like a WFH equipment stipend and a continuing education budget for further professional development.
Recognition and Appreciation
KBC values and acknowledges the contributions of its employees. The leadership team recognizes employees with Spotlight Awards to celebrate outstanding efforts. This culture of appreciation fosters a sense of belonging and motivates employees to deliver their best consistently.
Company Achievements
I may not be the right person to talk about the company’s achievements, but having been with KBC for almost eight years, I take pride in witnessing the company’s remarkable growth journey.
KBC’s commitment to excellence has been unwavering from its humble beginnings to its stature as a team of 140+ professionals serving over 150 clients, predominantly through referrals. Testimonials from satisfied clients underscore our role as service providers and trusted partners in their success.
Closing with a testament to KBC’s commitment to excellence, let me share a quote from our consultant CFO, Terrence (Terry) Wynn. With his extensive experience since 1978, including roles as Head of Finance and CFO in various companies similar to ours, his words carry significant weight. I wholeheartedly echo his sentiments.
“Since early 2020, I have had the pleasure of working with several KBC clients and interacting with the KBC service team. In every situation, the KBC team was highly motivated to provide exceptional service, was extremely thorough in their work, and brought sound and practical services and insights to meet the client’s needs. In short, the KBC teams are highly skilled and motivated professionals at every level (staff accounting, accounting manager, controller, and financial analyst), making my role as the CFO on each client rewarding and effective. The KBC firm and its professional staff are top notch in delivering valuable services to its clientele.”
Conclusion
KBC offers a unique blend of remote work flexibility, professional development opportunities, and a supportive team environment perfect for anyone seeking a healthy work-life balance. Whether you’re a seasoned accounting professional or just starting out, KBC’s commitment to excellence and its focus on employee growth can empower you to achieve your career goals.
