Firms giving back: BKD invests millions in staff, charities

Top 100 Firm BKD CPAs & Advisors announced that the firm invested more than $6 million in its staff members during the COVID-19 pandemic through a paid holiday, a work-from-home stipend, and additional bonuses to team members.

The firm aditionally donated more than $3.5 million in 2021 to charitable organizations through various campaigns. A follow-up to a June 2020 campaign raised $650,000 for local food banks and United Way chapters. The firm also raised $1.15 million in extra community support, in addition to $1.25 million raised through normal donations to its BKD Foundation.

“Integrity is in the foundation of our values," said BKD CEO Tom Watson in a statement. "It’s important to do the right thing, not the easy thing. I’m proud of the actions we took to support our communities and our teammates. ... Our positive impact is a huge testament to the people who work here, and we’re only getting started.”

Top 40 Firm Friedman LLP announced that it is increasing its support of the Council of Urban Professionals via an annual donation.

CUP's mission is to guide the career progression of professional women and people of color — with a particular focus on the New York and Los Angeles metropolitan area — through career-building programs and networking events.

More information is available on Friedman's site here.

The Massachusetts Society of CPAs committed $25,000 to Middlesex Community College to support the expansion of the MSCPA's Early College High School Academy.

The commitment will see the society introduce courses into Massachusetts public high schools to show students the various career paths accounting has to offer.

“Accounting is a thriving industry that offers a lot of room for career growth and advancement, and it’s our job to help students explore all of the opportunities available to them,” said MSCPA president and CEO Amy Pitter in a statement. “Scaling our Early College High School Academy allows for more students to learn about accounting as a possible career path, many of whom may not be aware that it exists.”

Launched in 2019, the Early College High School Academy represents the first accounting-focused college initiative in Massachusetts. The Early College High School Academy is fully funded by the MSCPA’s Educational Foundation.

Participating students learn fundamentals in accounting, economics, statistics and information technology. Students also go through a mandatory internship program supported by local firms and businesses. Upon completion of the program, students earn up to 12 college credits through Middlesex Community College at no additional cost.

“One of the indicators that students will pursue accounting as a career is if it’s on their radar from early on,” Pitter added. “Providing free college credits to students in these programs opens doors to them and help us build a strong pipeline of young and diverse entrants who are interested in accounting.”

The expansion to Middlesex Community College joins a similar program at Haverhill High School, in which students are offered up to 12 free college credits through the University of Massachusetts –Lowell. Another program, at Chicopee High School, is set to begin this fall.

More information about the Early College High School Academy is available on the MSCPA's site here.