Advisory
Accounting Firm Makes List Honoring Companies for Training, Development
Accounting consultancy BKD, LLP has debuted on Training magazine’s annual Training Top 125, which ranks companies based on the excellence of their training and development programs. BKD, the only CPA and advisory firm to appear on this year’s list, was among thousands of applicants vying for a spot on the prestigious list, placing as No. 89 and being one of only 27 organizations to make their initial appearance on the list this year.
Feb. 18, 2014
Accounting consultancy BKD, LLP has debuted on Training magazine’s annual Training Top 125, which ranks companies based on the excellence of their training and development programs. BKD, the only CPA and advisory firm to appear on this year’s list, was among thousands of applicants vying for a spot on the prestigious list, placing as No. 89 and being one of only 27 organizations to make their initial appearance on the list this year.
“BKD is honored to be among these top-tier training organizations,” said Ted Dickman, CEO of BKD, LLP. “Our firm is committed to lifelong learning, and we strongly believe that investing in our professionals’ technical expertise and leadership development skills enhances their career opportunities and allows them to better serve our clients.”
Now in its 14th year, the Training Top 125 is based on myriad benchmarking statistics such as total training budget, percentage of payroll, number of training hours per employee program, hours of training per employee annually and detailed formal programs as well as goals, evaluation and workplace surveys. The ranking is determined by assessing a range of qualitative and quantitative factors, including financial investment in employee development, scope of development programs and how closely those efforts are linked to business goals and objectives.
“We’re learning a lot from our Training Top 125 peers and are looking forward to incorporating some of their best practices as focus on institutional excellence,” said Greg Cole, director of the firm’s Learning & Development Department. “When it comes to innovative training and development programs, these organizations have really raised the bar—and BKD is proud to be part of Training’s upper echelon.”
BKD University (BKDU) is the latest enhancement to the firm’s educational infrastructure. BKDU is an online, on-demand platform housed on the firm’s intranet that gives personnel access to a wide range of content that includes technical training as well as shorter, more digestible video clips on leadership, ethics, client service and technology. The firm also hosts Camp BKD—a weeklong orientation held three times a year for newly hired client service professionals—and relies on a robust coaching program to develop individual talent and prepare professionals for career advancement.