It is hard to believe that we are wrapping up yet another quarter here at ADKF! Despite the seemingly short summer season, we were sure to make the most of it. With a multitude of learning sessions, the implementation of several new internal programs, and a continued involvement in our community, the entire ADKF team was able to reset, recharge, and reengage!
During June and July, we were proud to host our “Summer of Learning” in which senior tax team members presented on a technical topic of their choice. Presentations were given to the entire tax department in an effort to educate and streamline technical skills amongst team members. Topics included Entity Structure presented by ADKF Partners Scott Kopecky, Rene Garcia, and Dylan Boss; Taxation of Property Transactions presented by Tax Director Bobby Estringel and Senior Tax Manager Austin Lee; and Trusts presented by founding Partner David Doherty. Not only were these presentations educational, they also served as a way to engage both presenters and audience members in new and evolving topics within the industry.
Just as the firm desires to improve the staff, ADKF relies on the staff to improve the firm. In August we launched an internal employee satisfaction survey. The purpose of the anonymous survey was to take a pulse of the firm and its culture. By gauging the satisfaction and needs of employees, ADKF can make improvements and brainstorm new ways to actively engage employees. The importance of keeping clients happy is well known, but it is just as important to keep the team happy as well! By constantly looking for areas of improvement, ADKF is ensuring that the firm never becomes stagnant and is consistently growing internally as well as externally!
Our summer of growth and learning also included the rollout of several new promotions, programs, and platforms!
In July, ADKF was proud to announce thirteen promotions including 1 Tax Manager, 1 Audit Manager, 1 Tax Senior III, 3 Tax Senior II, 1 Audit Senior II, 1 Tax Senior I, 1 Audit Senior I, 1 CAS Senior I, 2 Tax Staff II, and 1 Audit Staff II. These individuals display our core values in everything they do and act as leaders within the firm and community. We continue to be incredibly proud of our newly promoted team members and look forward to seeing their contributions throughout the remainder of the year!
Promotion celebrations were just one agenda item for the firm wide celebratory luncheon held in July. The firm also announced the expansion of the existing North Star Program during this time. The North Star Program is a peer-to-peer recognition initiative in which team members may nominate each other for going above and beyond normal job responsibilities. Nominations are submitted and approved on a rolling basis so that as an excellent job is done, recipients are immediately recognized! The expansion announced that in addition to the rolling recognition, quarterly and yearly North Star recognition would also be awarded. At the July luncheon, our Quarter 1 and Quarter 2 North Star recipients were presented with an engraved award in front of the entire firm. We will recognize our Quarter 3 and Quarter 4 recipients in the next few months as well as the Yearly North Star Recipient. Team members who are selected for the North Star Award are the embodiment of ADKF core values. They are individuals who see the purpose in their work and take the time to build relationships within the firm, our clients, and the San Antonio community. They go above and beyond to be the best team member possible and ADKF would not be the same without them!
North Star nominations are housed on our newly launched internal 360 recognition platform, Terry Berry! In addition to the North Star Program, this platform also allows employees to give each other Shout Outs for things such as lending a helping hand or achieving a goal. Shout Outs encourage our team to thank and congratulate each other publicly and allow the entire firm to celebrate together. Birthdays and work anniversaries are also displayed on the platform’s feed and team members can interact with the posts. ADKF was excited to launch this internal platform as a way to celebrate and grow the firm’s culture!
As we were working on improving internally, we continued to build our external relationships with clients and the community! Our volunteer committee organized an afternoon at the San Antonio Food Bank in which staff members spent time in the community kitchen preparing snacks and lunches for child summer programs around the city. ADKF was also proud to sponsor and attend events for the Helotes Ag Booster Club this summer.
While many people take the summer to rest and relax, we took the opportunity to improve! ADKF is proud and excited about all the newly implemented programs as well as the multitude of learning opportunities presented this summer. We know that is has made the firm stronger and ready for the upcoming deadlines and busy seasons!
