James Moore, Certified Public Accountants and Consultants was recently named as one of the 2016 Accounting Today’s Best Accounting Firms to Work For. Accounting Today partnered with Best Companies Group to identify accounting companies that have excelled in creating quality workplaces for employees. This marks the second year in a row that James Moore has won this honor.
This survey and awards program is designed to identify, recognize and honor the 100 best employers in the accounting industry, benefiting the industry’s economy, workforce and businesses. To be considered for participation, eligible companies had to be an accounting firm, have a facility in the United States, have a minimum of fifteen employees working in the United States, and had to be in business for a minimum of one year.
Companies from across the United States entered the two‐part survey process to determine Accounting Today’s Best Accounting Firms to Work For. The first part consisted of evaluating each nominated company’s workplace policies, practices, philosophy, systems and demographics. This part of the process was worth approximately 25% of the total evaluation. The second part consisted of an employee survey to measure the employee experience. This part of the process was worth approximately 75% of the total evaluation. The combined scores determined the top companies and the final ranking.
Best Companies Group managed the overall registration and survey process, analyzed the data and determined the final ranking. “The firms on this list represent the best workplaces in the accounting profession,” said Accounting Today Editor-in-Chief Daniel Hood. “They are outstanding places to build a career.”
Cox Communications announced that it will award more than $75,000 to nonprofits in its three-state, Southeast Region through Cox Charities, which is funded by employees. Community Investment Grants are designed to assist 501(c)(3) organizations with programs that benefit the Cox Communications service areas. Agencies can apply for grants up to $5,000.
In 2016, Cox employees awarded $10,000 to nonprofits in Alachua and Marion Counties through Cox Charities. The company received nearly a dozen Central Florida applications from local teachers and nonprofits during its inaugural grant cycle, which took place last summer.
After careful review by a committee of employees, the Education Foundation of Alachua County, Reichert House, Boys and Girls Clubs of Marion County and the Public Education Foundation of Marion County were each selected as the recipients of grants in the amount of $2,500.
“Cox Charities is both funded and guided by local employees,” said Kevin Monroe, market vice president for Cox’s Central Florida market. “A team of dedicated employees reviewed numerous applications and determined how the dollars would be invested back into the communities we serve.”
The Education Foundation of Alachua County received the grant to assist with the Catalyst for Change Teacher and School Grants program. The Catalyst for Change is a competitive grant program that awards $2,000- $5,000 to teachers and administrators whose projects demonstrate innovation and attempt to affect change in the areas of: Literacy, Low-Performing Students, STEM Education, Career/Technical Education, Teaching Quality, and high school graduation rates.
The Reichert House received a grant for their Tutorial Assistance Program. Reichert provides services designed to give youth opportunities to learn about themselves and to assist them in achieving a lifestyle that is free from substance abuse, violent crime, and incarceration. The program provides the youth support to build positive lives for themselves so they can move into contributing roles in society. The cornerstone of the Reichert House program centers around three elements: Respect, Restraint, and Responsibility. Boys and Girls Club of Marion Counties will use the grant to support programs and activities focused on academic success, good character and citizenship and healthy lifestyles.
Tools 4 Teaching, a free store for teachers operated by the Public Education Foundation of Marion County, received funding to help make sure all students have the tools to be successful in the classroom.
Branded under the theme “Give Where You Live,” the unique, employee-giving campaign launched last fall in Cox’s Southeast Region, which includes parts of Louisiana, Florida’s Gulf Coast, Central Florida and Middle Georgia. What’s more, the dollars raised in each market stay in the market in which they were generated via payroll deduction. Funds raised by local, Central Florida employees will benefit programs in Cox-serviceable areas within Alachua and Marion counties.
“Our company and our employees are passionate about supporting programs that positively impact where we do business,” added Monroe. “I look forward to seeing the applications for the 2017
grant cycle.”
Local business leaders have united to plan and fund a series of substantial upgrades to the Boys & Girls Club of Alachua County facility, located at 2661 NW 51st St. Gainesville.
This initiative, announced at the Boys and Girls Club Annual Caribbean Cruise for Kids on Aug. 5, 2017, is being managed and supported with donated construction management services by D.E. Scorpio Corporation, donated architectural and interior design services by Kail Partners Architecture & Interior, and donated landscape design services by CHW Engineering. A number of local businesses have additionally jumped on board offering in-kind donations, including furniture and material led by major contributions from Lowes and significant gifts from McLeod General Trades and Ashley Furniture HomeStore.
Monies raised through ongoing efforts over the last six years, coupled with The Rotary Club of Gainesville Foundation’s Wild Game Feast Grant will be paying for the majority of the facility’s improvements. Monies contributed through Doug Johnson’s Reeling for Kids Fishing Tournaments, will be funding major field improvements in addition to building renovations to assist the club’s athletic department.
This coalition’s mission for the project is to foster development for youth in the community by making improvements to one of its most crucial recreational centers.
“On behalf of the staff and volunteers of the Boys & Girls Club of Alachua County I want to personally thank all of the wonderful local organizations, companies, and individuals that give of their time, talents, and treasure to sustain and advance the mission of the Club,” said the club’s Executive Director, Shane Johnson. “It’s because of efforts like this renovation project that we are able to continue serving the youth of Alachua County.”
The project is continuing to seek funding and in-kind donations from other community members and organizations interested in joining this effort. In particular, the sponsors are seeking assistance for additional renovations.
The renovations are scheduled to begin in mid-September.
Florida Funders has closed a $167,000 investment in Eventplicity, a Gainesville, Florida-based company that streamlines the event booking process for restaurants. The simplified process helps restaurants generate additional sales from events.
Eventplicity CEO Bryan Edelstein started the company in 2015 after owning a restaurant and bar in Gainesville and seeing the tedious process required to book a private event.
“It’s 2017, and cars are driving themselves, yet booking a private event can still be a long and painful process,”
said Edelstein. “Eventplicity offers a streamlined and automated process for the benefit of both restaurant owners and consumers.”
The investment from Florida Funders, which is part of a $2 million capital raise, will help Eventplicity to expand its sales and marketing department. Based in Tampa, Florida Funders is a venture capital firm with an equity crowdfunding portal that makes investing easier for accredited investors, and capital more accessible to promising early-stage Florida companies.
“Eventplicity is drastically improving an outdated service model with modern technology,” said Tom Wallace, Florida Funders’ managing general partner. “We’re very excited about Eventplicity’s continued growth throughout the country.”
The D.E. Scorpio Corporation is happy to announce the additions of a new Project Engineer, Andy Cowart as well as a new Senior Estimator, Don Kline to the team.
Cowart joins the D.E. Scorpio team after working as a Project Manager and Realtor for Norfleet Homes and Keller Williams Gainesville Realty.
Cowart began his career as a supervisor and has worked with residential companies but looks forward to growing his career with commercial projects at D.E. Scorpio. He is a graduate of Santa Fe College.
“Living here for 31 years, I had heard nothing but positive things in the community about Domenic Scorpio and the D.E. Scorpio Corporation,” said Cowart.
Kline joins the D.E. Scorpio team after working as an Estimating Manager for Crom LLC but actually began his career pouring residential concrete foundations and has worked for residential and commercial remodeling companies. In early 90’s, Kline served in the U.S. Navy as a Hull Maintenance Technician where he performed repairs on nuclear components. He attended the University of Florida’s Rinker School of Building Construction and graduated in 2003.
United Way of North Central Florida President & CEO Deborah Bowie will join the newest class of Leadership Florida’s Cornerstone program.
The class, number XXXVI, is part of the Leadership Florida robust statewide program featuring top leaders from around the state.
For more than 36 years, Leadership Florida has brought together the state’s top leaders and this year will bring together over 140 of Florida’s best and brightest from a variety of professions, philosophies, and geographies who represent Florida’s diverse population. Class participants meet over an eight-month learning experience in their communities, as well as various locations across Florida.
New class members will participate in Leadership Florida’s renowned master sessions, which provide a comprehensive look at critical Florida issues, refining well-developed leadership skills via sessions with leadership experts and relevant information on Florida’s history, demography, diversities, challenges and opportunities.
“I’m so impressed with the caliber of these new members and thrilled to have them as part of the Leadership Florida family. They have achieved so much in their careers already and have a desire to help shape a new vision for Florida. Not only will they benefit from their class, but Leadership Florida will benefit from them as members,” said Wendy Spencer, president and chief executive officer of Leadership Florida.
The purpose of these programs is to educate, inspire and engage Florida leaders who will work together, across their diversities, for the betterment of Florida. To date, more than 3,100 men and women have graduated from Leadership Florida programs. Collectively, members of Leadership Florida serve on more than 5,000 corporate and non-profit boards throughout the state, providing key leadership in their local communities and in the state.
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