In the throes of what economists have termed the “Great Resignation” and a war for talent within the accounting profession, public accounting firms have had to rethink their approach to the employee experience to retain their current workers and attract new talent in today’s tight job market.

Allowing more flexibility, providing a variety of work arrangements, and increasing compensation are common enhancements, with some firms going beyond these tactics to differentiate themselves.

Long recognized for its workplace culture, KSM is continually looking for creative ways to enrich its employee experience. Developing the new role of Director of Workplace Culture & Experience is one strategic approach KSM has taken to better position itself for the needs of a changing workforce. Hired for the role early this year, Lauren Violi focuses on helping KSM employees discover their aspirations and forge their individual career paths within the firm. The key? Connectivity.

Lauren recognizes that connectivity isn’t just a conversation. It’s a deeper dive into who a person is, both in and outside the office, and making sure their interests align with their skills.

A Focus on People

Lauren’s role is centered around people, helping employees focus more on themselves, better understand who they are, and communicate their individual needs within the workplace. She encourages them to answer tough questions, like “What do I want out of my career?” and “Where does that fit in here?”

The path isn’t always obvious and having help along the way can mean the difference between an employee leaving for another opportunity or making their career at KSM. That’s where Lauren comes in.

In addition to being a self-described “internal coach,” Lauren operates as a sounding board to capture employees’ voices and feedback in a meaningful way. “My focus is less on the process and more on the person. I want our people to know I see them, I care for them, and we want them to grow here,” she said. “Working so closely with many individuals across the firm, I’m able to pick up on workforce trends impacting our people that our leadership team may not be aware of and use those insights to inspire continual improvement.”

An attorney by training, Lauren worked for several years at the law firm Krieg DeVault before becoming director of career services at the Indiana University Maurer School of Law. In this role, Lauren counseled students and alumni on their career and life aspirations, helping them explore all aspects of the career journey, ranging from creating resumes and preparing for interviews to negotiating job offers and navigating transitions.

Making an Impact

While Lauren has been with KSM for just nine months, her impact has already been felt by many of the firm’s employees, including one person working through the idea of a career change.

“Lauren has been a great resource for me as I’ve worked through a possible career pivot. She offers a completely unbiased opinion and has offered several ideas I never would have thought of on my own. She’s personable and easy to talk to – even after just a brief introduction to Lauren, I felt comfortable sharing everything that I’d been thinking about. She’s helped me work through all the confusion and nervousness of making a career change and has become a great source of support for me over the past several months. She’s also challenged me to seriously think through my options and to really look at where my strengths lie and where I find my purpose.”

Enhancing the employee experience offers more than a competitive edge for public accounting firms. It’s foundational to achieving positive business results while improving the well-being and resilience of today’s workforce. As people continue to reevaluate work and its place in their lives, understanding what employees need and looking for creative solutions to meet those needs can lead to a win-win situation for both employers and employees.