Breaking news—we at Corliss & Solomon have earned the prestigious B Corp Certification! This significant milestone positions us among a select group of CPA firms committed to redefining business success and demonstrates our dedication to transparency, accountability, and social and environmental issues.
CPA firms are known for focusing on numbers and regulations, often operating behind the scenes, but few CPA firms center their business on their values or pursue B Corp certification. We saw an opportunity to lead by example. Since transparency and accountability are at the core of our work with nonprofits, becoming a B Corp allowed us to now embody these values fully.
“It was the idea of wanting business to do things differently that attracted us to becoming a B Corp,” Corliss & Solomon Owner Slater Solomon says. “B Corps are an integral part of the next generation of business. This certification allows us to reinvent business for all stakeholders.”
What is B Corp Certification?
B Corp Certification is more than a badge—it’s a commitment to doing business differently, focusing on the well-being of all stakeholders, including employees, clients, and the community. To certify as a B Corp, we had to meet rigorous standards across several areas:
- Social and Environmental Performance: We had to achieve a B Impact Assessment score of 80 or above and pass a risk review. Incredibly, we received a glowing 102.5 score! The B Impact Assessment is a digital tool that helps measure, manage, and improve positive impact performance for the environment, communities, customers, suppliers, employees, and shareholders.
- Legal Accountability: We changed our corporate governance structure to be accountable to all stakeholders, not just shareholders, and include them in our decision-making.
- Transparency: Information about our performance metrics is now publicly available on our B Corp profile on B Lab’s website.
And while we were already living out many B Corp values, the certification process pushed us to do even better. Here are some of the positive changes we made along the way:
- Updated Employee Handbook: We incorporated Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) measures, as well as more information on paid time off and other benefits, in our employee handbook to make a commitment to our employees and be a flexible, understanding employer of choice.
- Added Benefits: We introduced a retirement plan and wellness program, and continued to refine our continuing education and tuition assistance benefits. Adding these programs showcases our recognition that a well-educated team is the best possible position to both serve our clients and our employees for years to come.
- Improved Job Descriptions: We refined our roles and titles to better reflect our commitment to professional growth and work-life balance. This allows us to delineate responsibilities in a way that aligns with our employee talents and goals for their future careers!
Our Commitment to Nonprofits
In 2013, all of us at Corliss & Solomon made a pivotal decision to focus solely on working with and supporting nonprofit organizations. Our specialized services, including auditing and grant compliance, provide the financial expertise nonprofits need to thrive.
Nonprofit organizations must demonstrate their transparency and their financial statements. Applying for the B Corp Certification allowed us to put our money where our mouth is and undergo the same rigorous accountability for our company. The recent certification officially recognizes our commitment to social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency.
“Clients can now not only feel confident about our decades’ worth of knowledge and our ability to handle their work but about the people doing the work and that they’re being treated fairly,” Corliss & Solomon Client Services Coordinator Tania Parkins says.
Our Vision for the Future
As a new B Corp, we can focus even more on our mission of supporting nonprofits while ensuring our team’s happiness and work-life balance. Our clients can now feel confident not only in our expertise but also in our commitment to ethical and sustainable business practices.
We aim to engage and encourage other CPA firms to consider getting certified, hoping to create a ripple effect that extends beyond our firm and influences a broader range of businesses to adopt sustainable and ethical practices. We also look forward to learning from and supporting our fellow B Corps, sharing best practices, and collaborating on initiatives that drive positive change.
Let’s Celebrate Together!
Becoming a B Corp marks a new chapter in the Corliss & Solomon story. We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to our clients for their trust and support. Together, we will continue to exceed expectations, both in the work we do and in fostering a positive work environment for our team.
If you’re a nonprofit organization looking to partner with a firm that shares your values and commitment to making a difference, we invite you to join us on this exciting journey. Let’s work together to create a brighter future for our community.
Here’s to many more years of growth, collaboration, and positive impact!