Benchmarking Study Ranks Firms on Criteria Focused on Removing Barriers for Women in the Workplace

May 23, 2011

Baker Tilly Virchow Krause, LLP, the 16th largest* accounting and advisory firm in the country, has been named one of the "Best Accounting Firms for Women." The award, given in conjunction with the 2011 Accounting MOVE Project, is sponsored by the American Society of Women Accountants and the American Woman’s Society of Certified Public Accountants.

Baker Tilly was recognized for its staying power at the top, with women accounting for 19% of its partners and principals. The firm's GROW (Growth and Retention of Women) program is crystallizing its priority to retain high-potential women as they progress in their careers.

What makes an accounting firm “Best" for Women? Top-notch programs and proof that those programs actually retain and advance women to partnership. “Baker Tilly’s GROW program was designed to uphold the firm’s core values of Integrity, Passion, and Stewardship, and to emphasize the importance of creating and maintaining a work environment that promotes diversity," said Kimberly Herlitzka, Principal and Chair of the GROW initiative. “This platform enhances the professional development and work-life programs for all associates at our firm," she added. GROW focuses on areas of career advancement, flexible work arrangements, mentoring, networking, and benefits.

Partner Heather Acker applauds the firm for its overwhelming support of the GROW initiative. “The firm established key focus areas to guide the efforts of its GROW program including professional development, recruiting, and leadership development. The resulting activities have helped increase the connectivity of women in the firm and provide a foundation of support for ongoing professional development," she said.

Firms were ranked on the range, depth and success of programs and workplace culture proven to remove barriers to women's success, especially at midlevel and above. The MOVE methodology pivots on four factors – money, opportunity, vital support for work/life and entrepreneurship – known to advance women in the workplace.

About Baker Tilly
With staff totaling more than 1,350, Baker Tilly provides a wide range of accounting, tax, assurance, and consulting services. Ranked as the 16th largest* firm in the country, Baker Tilly serves clients from offices in Chicago, Detroit, Minneapolis, New York, Washington D.C., and throughout Wisconsin.

The company is the exclusive Baker Tilly-branded firm in the US, which reflects its commitment to meet the ever-changing global needs of its clients.

Baker Tilly International is a worldwide network of 150 high quality, independent accounting and business advisory firms in 120 countries, with more than 25,000 professionals. The combined worldwide revenue of independent member firms exceeds $3 billion.

About the 2011 Accounting MOVE Project
Through the MOVE Project, conducted by the research firm of Wilson-Taylor Associates and sponsored by the American Society of Women Accountants and the American Woman’s Society of Certified Public Accountants, the profession can consistently measure the status of women and collaborate on proven and promising practices that advance and retain women.

The report offers several key findings:

• Millennials expect women to be business leaders, and see view flexwork and fair pay as family economic issues.
• Women are pulling in new clients, even as they accelerate in the partnership pipeline, through innovative business development programs.
• Pay equity must be validated by audits and reviews to validate women’s trust in firm leadership.
• Firms that publicly communicate the results of their diversity programs -- not just their activities -- rapidly gain authority with clients, employees and potential recruits.

Wilson-Taylor Associates, Inc., which has been measuring and supporting the advancement of women since 1998.  

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR ALL MINNESOTA MEDIA OUTLETS ONLY: All company references to Baker Tilly in this press release must be listed as Baker Tilly Virchow Krause, LLP. No shortened version of the company name is permitted. All references to Baker Tilly International do not require modification.

*According to Accounting Today’s 2011 list of "Top 100 Firms."