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 in June 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.
Dan Fagerli
What does it mean to you to have won an ELITE award?
It was a true honor to have been selected for the Trusted Advisor award, and I was honestly quite humbled. A variety of skills is a requirement to succeed in our profession and I appreciate the fact there are others who have strengths I don’t possess. For that reason, I have incredible respect for all of our YHB team.
What are your favorite things about working in public accounting? What about working at YHB?
My favorite things about public accounting are: 1) interaction with the clients; 2) variety of work; 3) never boring or mundane; 4) never-ending opportunity to learn new concepts.
Working at YHB allows me to interact with the brightest and most talented individuals in our profession, which has made for a terrific learning experience.
What advice do you have to new staff?
Specifically to those new staff who are new to the profession: Don’t shy away from working hard and pay close attention to what you’re learning. Consider each and every day an opportunity to grow and develop your basic professional knowledge. You’ll be well rewarded down the road.
Who would you like to thank?
The current and historic leadership at YHB. An apparent key tenet of the firm is recognition that each person has unique talents to contribute: within reasonable parameters, we have the leeway to work in a manner whereby we can best exploit our individual talents.
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.
Dorrie Franzello-Kurtz
What does it mean to you to have won an ELITE award?
It’s obviously an honor to receive such recognition. The nice thing is, it’s for what I like most about my job. I love being able help clients, whether it’s with processes, accounting system implementation or general consulting to make their business run better. So being able to help expand the services we provide all while being supported and recognized is amazing.
What are your favorite things about working in public accounting? What about working at YHB?
My favorite thing about working in public accounting is being able to work with and help numerous clients. I love being able to go to different businesses and feel like I am making a difference. Every day is a new adventure!
My favorite thing about working with YHB is that they truly live up to their mission and vision. As a result I can work with clients as a trusted advisor and fulfill my career goals and aspirations.
What advice do you have to new staff?
There are so many opportunities at YHB to have a great career. It’s all in what you make it!
Who would you like to thank?
I would like to thank Matt Smith and all of the principals who encourage and support me every day and allow me to have a fulfilling career and support the consulting side of our practice.
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.
Helen Iraheta
What does it mean to you to have won an ELITE award?
Winning an ELITE award meant a lot to me; being recognized reassured me that I’m working hard and that I’m on the right path.
What are your favorite things about working in public accounting? What about working at YHB?
My favorite thing about working in public accounting is that you’re never bored. You get to work on different projects and learn about different niche areas. My favorite thing about YHB is the culture. Everyone I’ve met makes you feel welcomed and answers your questions without making you feel like you should already know the answer.
What advice do you have to new staff?
Work hard and ask questions.
Who would you like to thank?
I would like to thank everyone in the Middleburg and Falls Church offices. They’ve been amazing and have taught me so much in the past year/few months.
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.
Emily Ashcraft
What does it mean to you to have won an ELITE award?
It’s an honor to have my coworkers nominate me and recognize my passion for giving back to our community. My hope is that I can inspire others to use their own talents to also give back in some capacity.
What are your favorite things about working in public accounting? What about working at YHB?
My team & the overall culture make working here an amazing experience. I also enjoy the supportive atmosphere and opportunities for growth and development.
What advice do you have to new staff?
Like and share the YHB Facebook and LinkedIn pages… and engage in as many office and firm-wide activities as you can. Your experience at YHB will be what you make it so try to integrate yourself in the culture and have fun when you can!
Who would you like to thank?
I want to thank those that nominated me, specifically Mindy and Ivy for their sweet video message! Also to Jeremy and the rest of the YHB corporate team who support me in my volunteer efforts (and have to hear me talk about it 24/7…)
While there are many team members at YHB deserving of these awards, we are proud to highlight our 2019 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.
