What Can I Expect As An LBA Team Member?

 

 

Andre Higgins, CPA

Manager
Audit Services Team

 

When I joined LBA in February 2008 I was often asked by my colleagues, “How do you like it here?” or “How are you settling in?” and so on.  My response was always something along the lines of “I’m doing great…feels like home…I feel like I have always worked here."  This response is heartfelt, because I truly enjoy working at LBA.  Three primary reasons come to mind: First, I enjoy working at LBA because I get to work with and learn from some of the best and brightest people in the industry.  Second, I enjoy working at LBA because of the strong visionary leadership of the firm's owners, who by their deeds demonstrate a deep regard for their employees that creates a very collaborative team-oriented culture, which in turn, sets up a dynamic that I feel augurs well for the continued success of the firm.  Third, I enjoy working with the firm’s clients because of the passion and enthusiasm with which they approach their businesses, the interesting and challenging work that they ask us to perform for them, and the high esteem that they have for LBA and the services that we provide to them.

 

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Eric Ingalls

Senior Accountant
Business Advisory Services Team

 

When looking for a job in Jacksonville, I interviewed at several public accounting firms.  It was a very easy decision for me to join LBA.  I was shocked at how friendly everyone is here, how approachable the partners are, and how the firm acts as one big family.  The office atmosphere is very positive, friendly, and fun.  Everyone walking through the halls always seem to have a smile on their face and ask how each other is doing.  It is much different than other accounting firms that I've been a part of and heard about.  Everyone at LBA is extremely helpful to new employees and instantly makes them feel welcome and like they are part of the team.  Everyone is happy to answer questions and show fellow employees how to do something.  Our firm is very flexible and puts a large emphasis on the work/life balance of its employees.  Even during busy season, the partners do not want employees to "live at the office".

 

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Jennifer Moore, CPA

Staff Accountant
Business Advisory Services Team

 

As soon as I moved away, I knew that I would eventually want to return to my home city of Jacksonville.  After graduating from UCF and sitting for my CPA exam, I began searching for a job in the area and was lucky enough to get an interview with LBA.  During my initial interview, not only did I get to meet with the managing director and a senior manager, but I also got to sit down with the managing partner Neal Von Stein.  It was very encouraging that even before getting offered a position, I got to meet with some of the main players in the firm.  They took the better part of an hour showing me around the software and explaining how the firm approached projects.  It made me feel as if, no matter the management level, people in this company would always be willing to take time to teach.  Coincidentally that was the one main quality that I was looking for in a firm.  Because I was fresh out of college, I knew that optimally I wanted to join a sizeable regional firm with a large enough client base to be able to explore different projects and have the opportunity to grow professionally.  At the same time, I also wanted to maintain that smaller company feeling that I was a valued team member and not just a number.  Obviously, in the end I decided to join the LBA team and have never once regretted my decision.  The people I work with genuinely care about my success, the environment is encouraging and fun, the clients are friendly, and I’m learning so much.  With LBA I feel like we’re all in it together and with each others help we will do the best for every single client.

 

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Emily Simmons

Senior Accountant
Business Advisory Services Team

 

I chose LBA because I liked the fact that so many of the managers here were from the Big 4 and I knew I would learn a lot from them, yet not have to deal with the arduous ways of the large firms. I was hired as an intern and am now a senior staff. I feel that I have grown on every professional front and the experience has been challenging but also very rewarding. The work environment has been encouraging and supportive. The executive leadership of the firm is constantly striving to create an environment that allows balance between our professional and personal priorities. The clients are usually entrepreneurs who have built their businesses from the ground up. They are hard workers and look to us for peace of mind on the more technical aspects of the accounting world.

 

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Carol Stephens, EA

Senior Associate
Tax Services Team

 

My career at LBA started through a personal friend who also happened to be an LBA employee. He asked me if I would be interested in working during tax season. However due to our mutual needs at that time we agreed upon me becoming LBA’s first flex/part-time employee. That was on September 19, 1989. Through the next few years our mutual needs changed and my part-time employment increased in hours until I obtained full-time status.

My job responsibilities include preparation and review of personal, trust and gift tax returns, among a variety of other returns and reports; training staff in these areas; and handling numerous tax matter issues for our clients with the IRS and various states. I am able to represent clients before the IRS and states due to my certification as an Enrolled Agent.

I have been privileged to see the firm grow and change in a positive direction over the years. The single most important factor for me as an employee that has contributed to my staying with the firm is how they treat their employees and everyone with whom they come in contact. My description of the partners is that they live and practice the golden rule in all walks of their lives. I just love my job, the people that I come in contact with, both fellow employees and clients and the overall friendly, caring and positive atmosphere of the firm. I plan to stay with LBA until my retirement days begin.

 

 

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