Erica Martin
Monica Fuqua, a West Tennessee native, joined JHM Certified Public Accountants in 2018 after serving 10 years as CEO for a local public television station. Seeking a slower paced position in accounting, the field in which her career originated, Monica heard personal testimony about JHM's culture and the company's values related to employee quality of life.
“When I was hired at JHM as a client accountant, and had been on the job just a few days, my thought was the quote by Mark Twain: 'Find a job you enjoy doing and you will never have to work a day in your life,' ” Fuqua says.
Jackie Lee, who had previously worked for a Big Four accounting firm, joined our tax team to build her career as a CPA while working with others to build client relationships in and out of the office.
“I had heard great things about JHM and it was clear to me when interviewed that JHM would be the right fit for me,“ Lee said.
Find a job you enjoy doing and you will never have to work a day in your life. ― Mark Twain
The foundation of our culture at JHM? Our team members. Not only do we encourage their professional growth within the office, but we value their time spent with family, creating a work and home life balance. JHM is an environment in which our employees have built their lives and careers over a number of years.
Opened in 1977, JHM began as a small CPA firm serving the Chattanooga area. However, throughout the years, especially the last three, JHM has steadily grown to a mid-sized firm with clients throughout the Southeast. Most employees have been with JHM for more than 20 years, so change is naturally taking place within the firm as a new generation of employees join the effort to maintain valued client relationships. JHM offers competitive salary and benefit options, community engagement and a wide variety of personal and professional opportunities tailored to meet the needs of each employee. The growth of Chattanooga as a city, known for offering nature and history as well as a growing city scene, has also prompted people to move here, giving JHM a diverse selection of candidates. We've expanded the reach of our operations to grow the stature and size of the JHM team.
In previous years, JHM routinely visited college campuses seeking interns and entry level employees while conducting on site interviews. Interns, some now current employees, come from colleges including Tennessee Tech, UTC, Berry College and Lee University. With a new process in place, internship candidates for both tax and audit departments are selected based on a brief on-campus introduction during annual “Meet the Firm” events, the extent of their resume and an in-office interview with JHM employees. Work performance and eligibility are assessed during the semester, after which an intern may receive an offer to join the JHM team.
Personal relationships with clients are what JHM employees strive for daily. Dean Krech, Managing Partner for JHM, has encouraged JHM employees to emulate this idea both in the office and out in the field.
“We have not survived for 41 years by providing a compliance service. I think we are here because of the trusted business advisor relationship,” Krech says.
We've built rapport by providing exceptional results through our work and assisting with additional everyday needs on behalf of our clients. Consequently, some of JHM’s highly sought-after employees have been referred to us by our clients.
Open to multiple opportunities to seek senior level talent, JHM partners with recruiters to acquire not only local individuals, but candidates from across multiple states. An active relationship with Robert Half, a local recruiting service, has positioned JHM to engage with national recruiters. Thanks to national recruiting efforts, JHM has welcomed Steve Schaller, a Colorado native. Schaller relocated to Chattanooga and is a valued member Audit team member.
“I came halfway across the states and met with partners and staff from JHM. I immediately could tell that this company was a perfect fit,” Schaller says.
Due to transitions within the firm in recent years, and more to come as years pass, steady communication with recruiters allows JHM to bring in individuals with varied talents and levels of experience to properly position the firm for seamless success.
At JHM, we believe our ability to provide top quality accounting, tax and business consulting services depends on hiring only the most qualified candidates. By creating a culture of pride and passion, we hope to continue to attract and retain the best and brightest professionals who will be recognized and respected for their contribution to our shared values.
