Kerkering Barberio & Co Reviews

Pros

Technology, we all have dual monitors and what a difference this makes. Largest public accounting firm in the area. Flexability of time off during off season.

Cons

Every organization has its downsides and it is usually the opinion of the person writing. Many companies have gone to a 4-day work week; we are surprised that KB did not offer its employees that option. OVERTIME has been cut but base salaries not increased.

Advice to Senior Management

Who is really in charge here? If you are not management, you are just a number. Management consists of the owners, COO and the HR Director. You are never asked your opinions or ideas if you are “just” an employee. It is a Dictatorship and not a Democracy. It is sad that the owners cannot step out of the circle and look into the circle to see what is happening. Some know but won’t speak up and some continue to keep the blinders on. If there is not change in upper management, change will happen below. Arrogance of the economy that employees will stay because jobs are not to be had is totally wrong. Employee morale is so piteous that now they are to a point where they just don’t care and have thrown their hands up. Employees are supposed to have someone they can talk with and TRUST, but they don’t so they talk amongst themselves. You never want employee morale to be down as that reduces employee productivity. Our salaries are based on our overtime but now you have cut our overtime and expect us to do the same amount of work plus pay more to drive to work. Did management take a cut in pay? Tax Managers play such a significant role to a shareholder and a team but are talked down to by management. Management is not in the heat of day to day “going ons” and should not be making decisions to apply company wide. If you could see what a manager actually does, I believe you would treat them with a little more respect.
Company wide decisions that should apply to all, for example should be dress code, security, what time we open and close, etc. Why do some get to come in with jeans and shorts on and nothing said to them? Why do some get to come in with tennis shoes on? Why do some get to come in looking like they are going on a picnic or Woodstock? Why do some not wear undergarments? Frankly if others did it, they would be sent home. Is this favoritism or has management just turned a cheek? What happened to equal rights? We don’t care we just want to know if we wore jeans that we are not going to be sent home. KB is a great place to work it just needs a little reorganization at the upper level. If Richard E Goble were leading KB, I would give him a 5 because he listens and is fair but he is no longer the managing the shareholder. However there is a BOD. But it is assumed the COO is running the company. So it is not really fair to vote on the following.

Pros

The chance to work flexible hours, good benefits, challenging work, competent and pleasant employees. Nice office space. Highly regarded in the community.

Cons

Nature of public accounting. Lots of deadlines and long work hours during tax season.

Advice to Senior Management

Keep up the good work. The more feedback regarding work performance and leadership abilities the better. Performance reviews with comments and suggestions are better than those with just number rankings to indicate performance. It would be nice if 401(k)matching was increased.

Pros

My Team, Location, Co-workers, most all employees speak to each othe when you pass in the hallways with the exception of a couple. It's a great place to work with the exception of a couple of sink holes. Tax Season is fun, everybody is running around, coming in at all hours and leaving at all hours of the night. It's like we never close. It's like a factory around here, every printer and copier going and the clicking on keyboards, people laughing, people asking questions, people running in the hallways. It really fun to get hit in the head with the restroom door as it's a revolving door.

Cons

There is no place to lay your head for 15-30 minutes during tax season when you get really tired and just need a break or if you have a headache or stomach ache and just need to lie down for a few minutes. It is amazing what that would do for us. We wouldn' t need to go home and waste a half a day.

You are micromanaged, watched constantly especially your time card, emails, and when you come and go. Why do some employees get Fridays off and some do not? Some ask for it off and are denied. Is this Favoritism again. You ask and just get a stare. Can someone please answer this question? Can we honesty here please?

I do agree with other postings that Favoritism is big in this Firm not only toward employees, but Shareholders as well with regard to Senior Management. Some employees but their butts and will do whatever you ask them to do, go above and beyond and other only do exactly what they are supposed to do. Does the good ever show on your performan evaluation, NO. It always seems to be the bad. Is this because they don't want to give you a raise. You always know the ones that are not afraid to stay a minute after 4:30. The unappreciated will not say anything until they tell you they are leaving KB.

Advice to Senior Management

You get to a point where no one saids anything because they feel why bother, it's not going to do any good. KBers have felt this way for a few years now, along with some shareholders. You always have to pinpoint the problem but you don't always like where it is pinpointed to.

You can see you have a problem here and it is your choice to fix it or just let it go. Something is wrong if your Tax Managers are very unhappy, you have to make employees shareholders in order to keep them or bring new ones in as shareholders just to get them to come to KB. Very, very sad, when like another employee said in another posting, that KB could be a place where everybody wants to work; where there would never be any openings, there would be a waiting list to get a job here. Wouldn't that be great? That would be a proud place to work wouldn't it?

We can't even send out an email to everyone at KB, but you can send out one to all of us and tell us to "vote". Is this a Dictatorship?

The bottom line is, you ask one person and they speak out of their mouth and then you ask another and they speak out of their ass. Sorry about that Analogy but that is the best way to put it. Everybody gets a different answer when asked the same question. It just depends on who you are and what salary they decide to give you, sometimes it matters how long you have been here, depends on who you ask and sometimes it just depends on if they like you. Check out the salary on this site, you have an assistant making more than an accountant. Wonder who that is? Oh, but it can't be because she's been here for a long time or is it a new assistant that just got hired and salaries are up humm depends on if you spoke with the mouth or the ass.

Very sad situation and it doesn't have to be. I pray that the shareholders take charge before none of us have a job. 'Do unto others as you would have others do unto you." God Bless.

Pros

You will come across some Great people in the organization. KB is a good name for your resume.
The importance of Work-life balance is stressed through out the organization. Its up to the individual on how good he or she can manage it. Some of the teams our great. Most people leave KB before the manager level to work for private companies in internal audit, corporate accounting, or financial reporting. Typically, they end up making way more than they would at KB, but usually those great jobs require public accounting experience.

KB Looks great on CV. Build up a network.
Have the knowledge, while putting in the hours, that you can always get at least twice the current wage in the industry.
Meet occasionally pretty bright people.

Cons

Long hours.
Low pay.
Work life balance - is more like work and no life :)
Contribution is not always recognized: the better you work, the more you will be asked to do.
The plenty of mediocre people around, who think they are the "stars"

Advice to Senior Management

Focus on people development rather than just meeting your 'numbers', the compensation process needs an overhaul - pay discrepancy between upper management (partners) and staff is too big.

Really don't need it. Manage the shareholders and let the shareholders manage us.

Pros

Great opportunities available for those out of undergraduate accounting

Cons

- Long work hours which are expected but don't complain about our overtime. Does management need to justify their positions?
- Poor pay - Again, does management need something to do - try a tax return during tax season
- Very poor performance evaluations - afraid you may have to pay more
 - Firing procedures
- Promotions aren't based on work, but your relationship with management
- Management team is too focused on themselves no focus on employees that actually deliver and are loyal
- Lack of communication between the Management and the staff except when they have to at staff meetings
- Not enough recognition paid to staff members who are actually doing most of the work.
- "Employees first" is a joke - politics and how much more can I kiss your butt are a lot more important than employees.
- Having unrealistic chargeable hours target and have to put in much face time to make an impression.
- Not having a great support system except sometimes your fellow employees
- HR is not helpful no effort put forth. What HR many ask?
- Certain confidential personal issues recently have been carelessly mentioned outside the source sworn the secrecy
- Popularity contest, no tangible benchmarks for promotion.
- No politeness how rude are you walking down the hall? Owner has to ask HR? What BS. We did go to college to learn initials.
- Must be your own cheerleader to get ahead - management is too busy trying to get themselves noticed & to find fault in employees rather than pull the good out in them. Put your time in, you don't have enough billable time, saw you in the hallway talking, left a cup in the sink, came in 5 mins late, took 35 mins for lunch, went to the bathroom during business hours, didn't put it on my calendar, forgot to log off, billed to the wrong account, talks too much, talks to loud, took a piece of candy, what time are you coming back, who's covering for you, wore something someone didn't like, didn't wear enough, didn't work enough, worked too much overtime, sent an email to everyone in the firm not approved, on the internet too much, said something someone didn't like. Are we kids here?
- Death by meetings unbelievable
- Risk adverse culture
- Lack of accountability in some groups
- Not a results oriented culture very unhealthy environment for self esteem

Advice to Senior Management

Give real bonuses and you will retain top talent.
Continue to keep your eyes on the long term strategic visions.
Listen to the empoyee

Pros

My team, the friends I have made since working at KB, the technology seems to be up-to-date and if not, if you ask, it usually will be. Location in downtown Sarasota, Florida. Tax Season is exciting. You are allowed to laugh here and play jokes on co-workers. Believe it or not, accountants do have a sense of humor. Largest public accounting firm in Southwest Florida but if you are apprehensive about going to work for a large firm, it is not what it seems. Within the Firm, each Shareholder has his/her own practice and then is broken down in teams. Team members seem to be matched well. KB is a very professional office and there is very seldom, if ever, any bickering between employees. KB provides and pays in house and outside CE for their accountants. Every Friday, bagels and donuts are provided. During Tax Season, lunch is provided every Saturday. The regular work week is only 37.5 hours - 8:30 - 4:30. Accountants can bank their overtime hours for time off. We have college day contests. We have functions to raise money for the United Way in the office such as: who wears the strangest tie, wackiest earrings, most unique shoes (funny to see guys walking around the office with high heels on), and hat day. Food auctions are always fun, this year, a cake went for $200 and the best part of the auction, is we have the funniest auctioneer, he is a hoot. We have quarterly staff meetings at a local Yacht Club with a full breakfast. KB has an after tax season luncheon catered in which everyone seems to enjoy. We moved into a downtown 8-story office building about 3 years ago located on Main Street with covered parking, which is a plus, being at our old building we had a big parking problem. The building has a few restaurants, car wash, sports bar, bank, spa, gym, franchise executive offices, etc. Just downstairs on Main Street, are movie theaters, more restaurants, nail salon, hair salon, bars, and pretty much anything you need within walking distance. The courthouse and police station are across the street. If you are still unsure about coming to work for KB, ask for references, they do.

PS: Always be on the look out for someone with a camera. It will not take long to figure out the vultures. You will learn quickly to go ahead and smile at the camera as the pictures will be posted somewhere around the office or will pop up, at a later date, MODIFIED; Most of the time, they are not flattering. It is a known fact to some, that if you go ahead and let them take the pictures that they are trying to get, they will not post the bad ones of you.

Cons

Don't ever go on vacation during Tax Season around this place, as you never know what you will come back to - meaning your cubicle. One time this girl went on vacation during Tax Season and when she got back, her entire cubicle was covered in aluminum foil. Every single thing down to the paper clips were individually wrapped perfectly. Pictures on her wall, her chair, her flip flops, and even her floor. Nothing was left un-foiled. Even if you have approval to go on vacation, I would think twice. Calling in sick during Tax Season, well that’s another story, it’s ok with management, but you better be able to send an email, with a picture attached to your team members, showing that you are in the hospital with an IV in your arm or when you get back, they will show you no mercy.

Long hours, but expected in this business. I can see in other reviews on this site, that there has been some Admin bashing which is not fair to bunch all admin in the same category. Even though they have the same title, they are not on the same level. It is understandable inasmuch that names cannot be mentioned on this site, which is a good idea not hurt anyone’s feelings. It is suggested that you go to your respected Shareholder and complain and if you feel it will not do any good go to HR. The Admin’s responsibilities include to assist not only their shareholder but their team too. Also, the Admin staff needs to be given more time off during off Season being the fact they cannot bank any of their time like before. This is absolutely not fair due to the fact they work just as hard and long hours as any body else in the Firm. They are burnt out and give up time too, during tax season, and deserve the right, as the others, to have time off to be with their families. It is not so bad for the admins that have several weeks of vacation and can take every Friday off during off Season.

New employees should not be made to stand up at staff meetings if they do not want to. This should be an option not a requirement. They should be asked prior to the meeting. Same goes with the management round tables. Some employees are private and do not enjoy telling about themselves; this should be taken into consideration. If they want to speak in front of a crowd or want others to know about them, they will join Toastmasters.

Advice to Senior Management

Who is in charge? It depends on the situation and the person you are asking. There is a lot of discontent right now amongst the employees. Yes, it is expected (some) in most workplaces because of all the different personalities and the amount of time spent at the office. However, it seems to be growing. Most will not say anything for fear of getting fired and will eventually find another job and move on. Why you ask? Just start listening to your employees very carefully even if you think they are kidding. Sometimes they are trying to tell you something that is right under your nose without others being hurt.

 It never hurts to smile or say hello to someone when you pass them in the hallway, as it could make their day. Employees just want to feel like they are contributing to the success of a company and not just taking up space. Just like in another review, referring to a shareholder addressing everyone by their name, something so simple, but keeps morale up.

Pros

Double Monitors, Personal Scanners at your desk, some team members, flexibility, downtown location

Cons

Long hours, but not unusual from a public accounting firm

Advice to Senior Management

There will never be another shareholder like him. Not once could you pass him in the hallway or by his office without him speaking to you and calling you by name. He calls everyone by name and this made your day. He is one amazing man and it is too bad he is no longer involved in the decision making at Kerkering Barberio. When he comes in now, everyone always ask him when he is coming back full time. That would be wonderful. There is possibly another shareholder presently that could come close if he would just acknowledge people, instead of walking down the hallway checking his BlackBerry or on the phone all the time. Staff moral is down and it starts from the top and trickles downwards. It will begin to show as people start to leave. They say it’s a Buyer’s market but is it an Employer’s market? When the economy was great and we were continuously hiring, at high wages, we had a hard time hiring. Just something to ponder.

Pros

Bagels on Fridays...and anything that involves food around here.

Cons

depending upon your status within the firm - you don't get treated fairly. It's very Management oriented - although we are told that it's b/c of ALL staff members that we, as a firm, succeed, but that's all talk. The actions from Management at the firm say otherwise to certain staff - and appreciation from Management is bare minimum around here - but I guess it's all in who you work for.

Advice to Senior Management

You need to start showing appreciation to ALL of your staff at the firm - don't dedicate it to just particular staff. You say our business status in the community is due to the hard work from ALL staff, well show them you appreciate them! And don't walk by someone in the hallway and ignore them or give a half-hearted "Hello", regardless of how often you've spoken to that person in the past!! Our "original" partners have set the standards of how ALL shareholders should treat employees at the firm. It's sad to see that only a choice few shareholders follow suit. And this place needs to stop catering so much to JUST the shareholders!! They're not the only voices of the firm - although I understand theirs is the only one that is heard. And how we can keep employees here that, in my opinion and many others, are a waste of space - is it not obvious to you that we have people here who should've been fired YEARS ago?? Why is it that most everyone else sees that but you?

Pros

Largest cpa firm in town. Location

Cons

Management, hours during off season, constant "looking over your shoulder", favortism. Too many meetings. The owners dont know what is going on under there noses and unhappy employees really are. Managers are just managers no say in any anything. If owners are happy, employees are happy. If employees are happy the clients are happy. The surveys why? You find out who we are, we are not monkeys.

Advice to Senior Management

Owners need to get involved. Need HR person that you can feel comfortable talking with like the olden days. We have no one. We don't even have anyone we can talk to about our paychecks being incorrect as the person that does them is never there and never returns calls. For an accounting firm we dont even have an accounting department for our firm.

Pros

my coworkers, large firm, downtown sarasota

Cons

different personalities, you never know what awaits you, you can tell who the pets are. Management is not fair with all. Some work their butts off and some don't do "nothing" right in front of their eys and they do nothing. Long and loyal employees get treated like crap.

Advice to Senior Management

Better take a long good look and listen. Employees are not happy.