Ian Randall here again, I can’t believe it has been almost a year since I last blogged here, time continues to fly.   A lot has happened in the past year, especially with regards to our company kickball team. It was just over a year ago when we first signed up for the Rochester Kickball League, I remember my first thought being “I am going to kick the ball out of the park.” A year and a half removed, I am debating to grabbing “Coach” sweatshirt, a whistle and swapping out the cleats for a clipboard. Why you say? My only response to that is that kickball is a contact sport, no doubt about it. I am not ashamed to say that I earned the “gym all-star” award in high school, the same way I am not ashamed to say that I bring somewhat of a competitive nature to the kickball field. While the most important thing to recognize during our Tuesday kickball games is that everybody is out there to have fun, unwind from the work day and be social with friends, I can’t hide the competitive nature. Yes, it is kickball, but when I have the opportunity to dive and slide I prefer to take it. Unfortunately this has landed me with a broken thumb, dislocated shoulder and a fractured ankle in the last year. You read that correct. While all fluke accidents (to which I still blame field conditions), I have finally hit the realization that I cannot run around like I did when I was 18,19 or 20 years old.   However, while my athletic ability has tapered slightly, one thing I can say without fail is that the friendships I have with the people I work with has not. It is still a blast to be around the people I work with on and off the field – If you ask me, I find myself pretty lucky to be in that boat.

Wow, what a week I just had. For several days in a row my office door was closed, which is very unlike me. As the Firm Administrator, I strive to be accessible to everyone… but this week I had a lot on my plate. I’m hopeful, however, that my isolation will result in overall better communication between our employees and their supervisors. In order to achieve these results our annual performance evaluation process is conducted. This year the firm analyzed the process and realized it was time for some change! By revising the review forms, supervisors and partners were able to provide additional constructive feedback. For the first time ever, employees were required to hold up a mirror and really look at their individual responsibilities and analyze their own performance. With all the information collected, it was time to analyze the data. With my coffee in hand I dove in! September is just around the corner, which means the partners will soon be meeting with individuals to discuss their results. The new format coupled with the self-evaluation process will allow for healthy dialog, and improvement throughout Mengel, Metzger, Barr & Co. LLP.   As an employee of 26 years, I will be fortunate to see the positive improvements first hand! With the annual performance evaluations analyzed, my door is now open and welcoming personal interactions!! 

Summer time is definitely not a “slow” time any more in the CPA world! Here in Elmira we’re as busy as ever, and not just with client work. Hi. I’m Judy McIntosh – a partner in our Elmira Office. I’m so proud of how excited everyone is about our newest project for the community. MMB is a major sponsor of “Canstruction of the Southern Tier” and we’re designing and building a structure out of canned goods for display at the Arnot Mall with other teams. At the close of the competition, all of the food will be donated to the Food Bank of the Southern Tier. So, we’re trying to be creative (not always an easy task for accountants), to have fun (we’re especially good at that) to help feed the hungry in our community. So be sure to stop by the Arnot Mall in mid October to see all of the structures that different company teams have created!

 Hello, I’m Bob Harris, a Small Business Specialist in Elmira. Last fall we relocated our office, which will allow the firm the space to grow. The location is bigger and brighter, allowing us to enjoy more of the summer sun, even when we’re inside during the work day. No matter the time of year, our small business clients are always keeping me busy, helping them with various projects both in and out of the office. I’ve received lots of compliments from our clients regarding our new office, so it’s nice to know that our new place benefits both us and the clients we work with!

My name is Lisa Fitzsimmons and I am a senior at MMB. I have been an auditor since I started, but during busy season I also help with individual tax preparation. I am in the process of transitioning to the tax department of our firm, but I will also continue doing some audit work. I am glad I get to do both tax and audit and have the variety. I like being in the office, but it is nice sometimes to go out to a client’s office. I am sometimes referred to as a “crossover”. I think I am lucky that our firm is so accommodating and has been willing to let me explore other areas.