What is it Really Like to Have Unlimited PTO?

Date: Tuesday, January 19, 2021
Time: 02:00 PM ET / 01:00 PM CT / 12:00 PM MT / 11:00 AM PT [Prevailing Time]
Presenter(s): Kim Fitzgerald, PAFM, Squire, Lemkin + Company, LLP, Jeanie Price, PAFM, DeLeon & Stang, CPAs & Advisors, and Larry Sheftel, PHR, SHRM-CP, PAFM, Aprio
Objective(s):
During this session participants will:
• learn how to determine the success of a discretionary time off policy
• learn the pros and cons to discretionary time off policies
• learn how to transition from a traditional paid time off policy to a more progressive discretionary time off policy
Field of Study: Personnel/HR
Program Level: Basic
CPE Credit: 1 Credit Hour
Delivery Method: Group Internet-based

No advanced preparation or prerequisites are required for this course.
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Course Description

Let’s call it what it really is though, discretionary time off. Many staff hear the term and think it’s a joke and after the initial shock, come the questions and the wonder from firm managers as to how to manage this kind of policy. Traditional time-off policies consist of a set number of paid days off, which staff can use at their discretion. They accrue so many weeks of paid time off (PTO) per year, depending on their level and job tenure. Today, firms are questioning whether their current PTO policies match their culture. They trust their staff to get their work done and an “unlimited PTO policy” seems like a natural progressive fit for many. In this one-hour MAPCast, a panel of CPAFMA members will explain where their firms are with time off policies. Kim Fitzgerald, PAFM, Firm Administrator with Squire, Lemkin + Company, LLP will explain the due diligence she has taken in looking at various progressive PTO policies for her firm over the last few months; Jeanie Price, PAFM, Partner with DeLeon & Stang, CPAs & Advisors recently adopted a Discretionary Time Off policy and will review their implementation process and the reactions from both their staff and leadership; and Larry Sheftel, PHR, SHRM-CP, PAFM, Vice President-Human Resources with Aprio will share his support for their DTO policy and why their firm was one of the early adopters of the progressive policy.

This session will explain why metrics are a must to determine success of such a policy, the need for accountability and a people-friendly policy that works within the firm’s culture and why communication and technology must be in place well in advance. Other key factors include a well done transition plan including expectations. Participants will walk away with a draft discretionary time off policy as well as answers to frequently asked questions and a calculator showing how much a firm can save with a DTO policy.

Presenter and Moderator Bios
Kim Fitzgerald, PAFM is responsible for the management of Squire, Lemkin + Company, LLP. She supervises the administrative staff and procedures and processes in the firm. She also oversees the firm’s information technology, finances/ internal accounting, human resources, and marketing/social media. Kim is a self-starter with great attention to detail. She is also organized and very approachable. These qualities prove essential in the day-to-day business of a CPA firm. As chairperson of the firm’s Event Committee, she helps to bring to life the balance of working hard and having fun while doing so. Kim has been the Firm Administrator since the doors opened in 1997. She previously worked with two other local CPA firms prior to joining Squire, Lemkin + Company. She began her career as a receptionist and now has attained the position of managing the administrative work of the entire firm. In June 2018 Kim was awarded the 2018 A.C.E. (Achievement, Commitment and Excellence) Award from CPAFMA. In August 2012, Kim received her PAFM (Public Accounting Firm Management) designation. She has been the President of CPAFMA's Washington, DC Chapter from 2001-2003 and 2015-current. She also is the current treasurer of the Chapter. Kim is a native of Montgomery County, MD. She lives in Germantown with her husband, son and daughter. In Kim’s personal time she enjoys dancing, photography, watching baseball (Washington Nationals), and going to the beach.

Jeanie Price, PAFM joined DeLeon & Stang, CPAs & Advisors as an administrative assistant in September 1991 and was named partner in January 2009. She also serves as Director of Administration, with the responsibility of managing the firm. This role encompasses overseeing the firm's day-to-day operations, such as staff supervision and training, strategic planning, human resources, quality control, and marketing. As part of the firm’s management, Jeanie helps create and implement policies and decisions, as well as manage the responsibilities and activities of the staff. She also facilitates all aspects of office administration and directs the coordination of employee benefits and other personnel matters. Additionally, she is responsible for the firm’s information technology and the automation and management of the firm’s finances and internal accounting. Jeanie is passionate about helping the firm and staff to grow and serve clients to the highest quality standards. In 2017, she was invited to speak at CPAFMA's conference, where she shared her thoughts on establishing strong partner-administrator relationships and how that strengthens the growth of the firm. Outside of the office, Jeanie enjoys spending time with her family, including her husband, Bob, daughter, Niki, and two awesome grandsons. She can also be found creating stained glass, cooking, exercising, or taking part in other crafty ventures.

Larry Sheftel, PHR, SHRM-CP, PAFM is the Vice President-Human Resources with Aprio and brings almost two decades of human resources and operations experience to the firm. In this role, Larry provides a wealth of technical understanding on internal process development. He also helps pioneer and implement new methodologies and ways of thinking within the firm. With his responsibilities, Larry directly supports employee satisfaction by implementing programs and processes to instill company culture, improve employee engagement and encourage life/work balance. By helping the firm’s employees thrive, Larry ensures that Aprio clients get the best service from the best people. Larry has established himself as a thought leader within his professional network and earned top accolades for his work in HR, including being the nominated recipient for the “HR Excellence Award” from the Society of Human Resources Management (SHRM). In addition to serving on the board of directors of CPAFMA, Larry is also president of the Atlanta Chapter of CPAFMA and has served as the scholarship chairman for SHRM Atlanta. Larry has been recognized for leading efforts for other awards in the workplace, including Atlanta’s Best Places to Work by the Atlanta Journal Constitution and the Atlanta Business Chronicle.

Cost
$25.00 for CPAFMA Members / $40.00 for Non-Members / Free for PAFMs

Delivery System

  • All programs are delivered using the Zoom platform.
  • Confirmations will include log-in instructions.
  • Participants are able to participate using any device with an Internet connect (if the device does not have speakers, the participant can also dial-in) or they can participate with audio only by dialing in.
  • All registrants will receive a link to the MAPCast’s recording by email within 48 business hours of event’s conclusion.
  • There will be assistance available to help with technical and connectivity issues up to 10 minutes prior to the start of the presentation.

Registration

All registration is done on-line with the names and email addresses of each individual guest. Log-in details will be emailed to all registrants approximately 1-2 days prior to each session.

Refund Policy

CPAFMA will not issue refunds for MAPCasts. If a registrant is unable to participate in the MAPCast and sends written notice to info@cpafma.org 48 hours prior to the session, a credit will be provided for a future MAPCast. Alert the CPAFMA staff member monitoring the MAPCast if technical difficulties are encountered and technical support will be provided to eliminate problems with future MAPCasts.

Additional Information

Live participation is required for CPE credit and polling questions must be answered to show active participation. All registrants will receive an email following the session with links to the slides and/or handouts, and a link to the MAPCast recording (unless otherwise stated). If you are unable to participate in the live session, you can still watch the recorded session, but you will not be eligible for CPE credits.

For more information regarding CPAFMA MAPCasts or administrative policies such as complaint and refund, contact the CPAFMA Headquarters at 937-222-0030, or info@cpafma.org.