Manatee Small Business Awards: Bradenton's CS&L wins by picking the right people
BRADENTON -- When it comes to recruiting new accountants, CS&L CPAs of Bradenton has set itself up to be a winner.
Voted the Manatee Small Business of the Year for 2015 among firms with annual gross sales exceeding $6 million, CS&L has been building its reputation with its clients and employees for more than 60 years. The firm, which headquarters out of the seventh floor of the SunTrust Building in downtown Bradenton, has staked its success in hiring and retaining employees who help the firm acquire and retain long-term clients.
Grossing more than $6 million in annual revenues, CS&L is on its second generation of ownership. Founded in 1954 by Bob Christopher, Rick Smith and Ed Leonard, the firm is currently led by seven principals, including managing principal Robert Stanell.
The biggest challenge the company faces these days is attracting the right people. Until recently, the firm used headhunters to find job candidates to fill out its 47-person workforce. But last year, CS&L started taking a more personal approach to hiring. Now, CS&L employees attend college job fairs and distribute targeted recruiting materials designed to show job candidates what it's like to work for the firm.
Through the program, interns are able to job shadow during the height of tax season and on audit engagements throughout the year.
CS&L also revisited its internship program. It offers paid internships and even leases a fully furnished apartment to house long-distance candidates near the office. Stanell said the approach has worked.
"This investment in helping candidates transition into their role has been one of the major reasons students and employees choose to come work with us from around the nation," he said.
With its investment in employees, the company has grown, expanding its business throughout Manatee and Sarasota counties and into Tampa. Last month, CS&L opened a new office in Tampa. It also operates a Sarasota office.
Even as it adds clients, the firm keeps its individual connections with each one. Stanell said the firm doesn't have standardized accounting plans: It creates a new one for every client it brings on.
The improvement in the economy over the past few years has helped CS&L grow. The firm has expanded its fully outsourced accounting services as businesses continue to look for ways to trim their in-house operations.
In addition to opening its first new office in 20 years, CS&L has further expanded its reach for employees and clients by adding Skype and GoToMeeting services to its consulting tool kit. When needed, CS&L team members use technology to work with clients and colleagues from home, allowing them to maintain face-to-face connections even at a distance.
Future efforts for the firm include further building its Tampa business and seeking out specialty service areas.
Matt M. Johnson, Herald business reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7027 or on Twitter@MattAtBradenton.
This story was originally published September 19, 2015 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Manatee Small Business Awards: Bradenton's CS&L wins by picking the right people ."