Checking a Firm's Policies on Balance

If you're interviewing for a new job, Mark J. Koziel, a CPA and senior technical manager for the firm practice management community of the American Institute of CPAs, suggests five things to consider at interviews if work-life balance is important to you:

Are there accountants on staff who are availing themselves of a flexible schedule?

Is the firm's approach to work-life balance is more than lip service?

Is it an initiative of HR or does the entire firm - including the top partners - buy into the policy?

See if the employee handbook or other official company publications address the issue.

Make sure young accountants and mid-career folks, as well as partners, can take advantage of flexible schedules.

Find out if the more flexible scheduling approach applies to men as well as women. This helps indicate if the policy is truly set in stone.

Dropping CPA Supply Pressures Balance Debate [JITM]