Acknowledgements include Best Place to Work, Community Caring and Employee Support

Commerce and Industry Association of New Jersey (CIANJ) Chairman Martin Kafafian, Esq. (left), recently presented Bernard Leone, CPA, CITP, CGMA, a WithumSmith+Brown accounting and consulting partner, with one of the association’s “Champion of Good Works” awards. The audit, tax and advisory firm was recognized for establishing an employee hardship relief fund, which provides financial assistance to staff and their family members who are experiencing a temporary hardship associated with a significant life event. Recently, Withum also was named a “Best Place to Work” for the 12th consecutive year and a “Best of Giving Back” honoree by two separate business and industry publications.

WithumSmith+Brown (Withum), one of the nation’s Top 30 accounting, audit, tax and advisory firms, was recently recognized by three separate business and industry organizations for its community involvement and employee-support programs. These accolades include being named a New Jersey “Best Place to Work” for the 12th consecutive year; a “Champion of Good Works;” and “Best of Giving Back” honoree.

“We are proud that, thanks to our incredible staff, our firm remains a leader in the public accounting profession and as a philanthropic leader,” said Bill Hagaman, Withum’s managing partner and CEO. “These achievements were made possible by a collective effort – known as the Withum Way – to serve our clients, our communities and each other.”

In the “Best Place to Work” category, Withum was named to the ninth position within the large-sized company category, outranking six other New Jersey accounting firms. Based in Princeton, the company also has offices in New Brunswick, Red Bank, Morristown, Paramus and Toms River. Additional regional offices include New York City; Philadelphia and Blue Bell, PA; Boston; Aspen; Orlando; and Caymen Island. The ranking is compiled annually by NJBIZ, New Jersey’s leading business journal.

As a “Champion of Good Works,” Withum also was celebrated by the Commerce and Industry Association of New Jersey for establishing a hardship relief fund that enables co-workers to lend support to one another in times of crisis. Last year, employees contributed a combined $67,250 that was matched with an additional $50,000 by the firm. In total, four employees were beneficiaries in 2015. The fund provides financial assistance to staff and their family members who are experiencing a temporary hardship associated with a significant life event. Examples include loss of a home due to a natural disaster or financial hardship associated with illness of a staff or family member.

The Best of Giving Back honor, bestowed by a leading real estate-industry publication, recognized Withum’s Week of Caring. An annual outreach event, the Withum Week of Caring dispatches firm employees to more than 40 charitable organizations serving the neighborhoods in which its offices are located. During the latest Week of Caring, 413 staff members donated over 1,700 volunteer hours to a variety of not-for-profit organizations in effort to support each group’s respective mission by sharing in the spirit of giving.

Organizations served include Holy Apostles Soup Kitchen and Hour Children in New York City as well as the Community Food Bank of South Jersey. North Jersey efforts focused on Children’s Aid and Family Service, Gilda’s Club of Northern Jersey and Social Services of Ridgewood Food Pantry.

In Central New Jersey, participating organizations included Spring Reins of Life, Community Food Bank of New Jersey, Deidre’s House, Habitat for Humanity, Collinsville Child Care Center, Homeless Solutions, Junior Achievement, Morris County Park Commission, St. Hubert’s Animal Welfare Center, Turkey Trot, Coachman Family Center, Crisis Food Pantry, Habitat for Humanity, Meals on Wheels, YMCA, Boys and Girls Club, Buckingham Place, Habitat Restore, Milhill, SAVE, Several Sources, Rescue Ridge, Food Bank of Ocean and Monmouth Counties, Holiday Express, Dottie’s House, Eva’s Village, Ocean Housing Alliance and Salvation Army.

Established in 1974, Withum is committed to providing quality services and innovative solutions to businesses, non-profits, individuals and communities. The firm offers the benefits of a larger organization without compromising the attention and personal service associated with a local business. As one of the nation’s 30 largest accounting and consulting firms, the firm also is a member of HLB International, a worldwide network of independent professional accounting firms and business advisors committed to assisting clients build and expand globally.