Each year YHB staff nominate their peers to be recognized for their outstanding performance in 4 different categories. This is known to YHB as the E.L.I.T.E. Awards. (Exceptional Leadership In Trust & Excellence) These awards were established to recognize YHB Team Members that personify YHB’s Vision and Mission, and exemplify our Core Values. The categories are: Trusted Advisor, Rainmaker, Breakout Performance and Community Champion. Each year the winners are announced at YHB’s annual gathering of staff from across the state.
YHB is pleased to share this year’s winners and a brief interview with them.
Trusted Advisor Award
This award will be given to a YHB team member who continually goes above and beyond to provide unparalleled customer service, embodies YHB’s core values of Quality, Integrity and Respect and is recognized as a subject matter expert in their practice niche.
Claire Manspile
What does it mean to you to have won an ELITE award?
It is an honor to be recognized by my team members and YHB! As a firm, we strive to be trusted advisors to all of our clients by going above and beyond.
What are your favorite things about working in public accounting? What about working at YHB?
My favorite thing about working in public accounting and working at YHB is the people we have the opportunity to work with every day.
What advice do you have to new staff?
Don’t be afraid to ask questions! Asking questions is how you learn and get to know your team members and your clients.
Who would you like to thank?
I’d like to thank Chris Frye for nominating me for this award and always being so appreciative of our team’s hard work.
Dan Karpac
What does it mean to you to have won an ELITE award?
Thankful that my hard work is recognized. I know I am not the sharpest tool in the shed, but I like to think I make up for that with my hard work, so it is nice that it is noticed.
What are your favorite things about working in public accounting? What about working at YHB?
Favorite thing about public accounting is being able to help clients in need with difficult issues, and their gratefulness when the issue is remedied. The best part of working at YHB is the people that work here. It sounds like a cliché, but it really does make YHB 110% more enjoyable.
What advice do you have to new staff?
I would tell them to work hard, but don’t sweat the small things. Try to understand and grow from the feedback given from the reviewers, but do not be too hard on yourself. Everyone screws up sometimes – it’s how you bounce back that really shows your character.
Who would you like to thank?
Just all of my mentors, especially Elaine Cain and Josh Kerr-Hobert, who put up with my mistakes and are always there to back me up and assist me in any way possible. Also, all of the other staff who make YHB and enjoyable place to work. And Busch Light, for giving me a light at the end of every tunnel.
Rainmaker Award
This award will be presented to a YHB team member who demonstrated business development “Success” as a result of new business generation, good passes and/or implementation of a new service line.
Derek McCarty
What does it mean to you to have won an ELITE award?
It is awesome to even be considered for the award, let alone win it. I never really thought of myself as a rainmaker, so I appreciate the recognition!
What are your favorite things about working in public accounting? What about working at YHB?
My favorite thing about working in public accounting is getting to know our clients, their families and businesses. I also enjoy being able to work on a variety of projects for a variety of clients, rather than doing the same tasks over and over again. I enjoy working at YHB because of the people I work with and the flexibility YHB provides it staff in maintaining a good work/life balance.
What advice do you have to new staff?
While the idea of business development and obtaining new clients might feel daunting starting out, it does eventually get easier and almost become second nature. If you haven’t already, I would recommend taking opportunities to attend networking events (maybe not so much in person right now, but in the future), write blog articles and assist with client/firm presentations. Fortunately we have a very good marketing team who are more than willing to help you get started!
Who would you like to thank?
The staff and partners at YHB, not just for the nomination, but for helping to give YHB the reputation it has. It definitely helps from a business development standpoint having such a strong firm reputation.
Break Out Performance
This award will be presented to a YHB team member who as a new Associate, as a new employee to YHB, or as a current team member in a new role has demonstrated outstanding drive and initiative in their first year by taking ownership and achieving established goals while at the same time exemplifying YHB Core values of Teamwork and Investment.
Madison Dela Vega
What does it mean to you to have won an ELITE award?
I am honored to have won an ELITE award this year. It is the embodiment of my hard work these last two years and it encourages me to keep striving for excellence as I further my career at YHB. I am appreciative of the opportunities I was given to take charge on engagements so early on in my career that helped me to earn this award and I look forward to what the future holds.
What are your favorite things about working in public accounting? What about working at YHB?
One of my favorite things about public accounting is being able to work with different clients and being able to develop relationships with them as I develop as an auditor. I think YHB does a great job of letting newer staff work with clients early on which helps develop the necessary skills needed later on in your career. Additionally, one of my favorite things about working at YHB specifically is all of the great people and how we try to make work as fun as possible.
What advice do you have to new staff?
My advice to new staff is to be a sponge your first year and to just absorb as much as possible. The first year can be overwhelming at times and it’s not always possible to understand and retain everything and that’s fine. Focus on asking good questions and getting a good understanding of things at a conceptual level and everything else will fall in place.
Who would you like to thank?
I would like to thank my family for dealing with the craziness of busy season. I would also like to thank Luke Gore who convinced me to pick audit and join bank team. He has been a great mentor these past two years and has given me the chance to take charge on engagements and learn through practical experience. I look forward to continuing to learn under him and the rest of the bank team throughout my career at YHB.
Megan King
What does it mean to you to have won an ELITE award?
I am grateful for the recognition of the work I have put in this year. This award was affirmation of the work I have done and motivation to strive for excellence in the future.
What are your favorite things about working in public accounting? What about working at YHB?
I have loved the variety of work I have experienced while working in public accounting. I love the culture of YHB and the people with whom I have gotten to work.
What advice do you have to new staff?
Take the time to get to know people all across the firm. Take every opportunity you can to experience something new or learn a new skill. Don’t be afraid to ask questions.
Who would you like to thank?
Each person I have worked with this year who has taken the time to help me learn something new. Especially the Culpeper office, Chris Pearson, Dorrie Franzello-Kurtz, Megan Furlong, Nikii Davis, Gina Aylor, Ron Evans, Owen Holt, Karen Haught, and Sheila Daniel who have each gone above and beyond in helping me to succeed this year by teaching me, encouraging me, and answering any question I have.
Community Champion
This award will be presented to a YHB team member who has provided outstanding leadership and given of their time and talents for the betterment of their Community serving as an example and inspiration to others to pay it forward.
Makenzie Yeater
What does it mean to you to have won an ELITE award?
I hope it has encouraged others to use their voice and to always show up for others. For me, it was a reminder that speaking up is important, even if your message isn’t perfectly delivered or received well from everyone.
What are your favorite things about working in public accounting? What about working at YHB?
Public accounting has taught me a lot of valuable skills that will be useful in building my career: working with clients, time and stress management, accounting standards across various industries, and working in a collaborative environment with a team. I like working for YHB, because I have been able to gain experience with a wide range of clients within our various industry niches.
What advice do you have to new staff?
Find someone you feel comfortable voicing your opinions and concerns to. Also, don’t be afraid to make mistakes. They’re going to happen, and you can really learn a lot from messing up every once in a while.
Who would you like to thank?
Thank you to those who have challenged me to be better this year.
While there are many team members at YHB deserving of these awards, we are proud to highlight our 2020 winners. At YHB, clients, community and staff are our top priorities. Celebrating those who live out our values is an honor, and team members like the above are what makes YHB a special place.
