Buddy Advocate Mentor (BAM) Program Helps Launch Careers

At Keiter, our people are our most important asset. Our Buddy Advocate Mentor (BAM) program was created with the intent to help nurture new employees as they become accustomed to the Firm, work culture, and their individual career paths.

Buddy

The Buddy role, assigned from the first day, serves as a peer-level resource within their practice group, with the advising Buddy supporting the new employee on a day-to-day basis.

Advocate

Advocates, also assigned from the first day, are important in creating a supportive work climate where people can function at their highest potential to advance Keiter’s mission, vision, and values.

Mentor

However, mentors are chosen by the employee after finding their footing and play the role of adviser and confidant as they grow and develop within the Firm. Our goal is to help our employees succeed, whether that means a fulfilling career with Keiter or helping them reach the career paths they want to explore.

The Virginia Society of Certified Public Accountants spoke with Brandon Pope, Keiter business assurance and advisory services manager, about how his mentor relationship helped prepare him for the next step in his career.

“Member Spotlight: Mentor Advice Helped Launch Brandon Pope’s Career” Excerpt:

Pope (left) is preparing to start a new position as director of business development at Vaco in Richmond, but for now, he’s wrapping up his tenure as a business assurance and advisory services supervisor at Keiter, the firm he’s called home since 2015, after graduating from Virginia Tech and spending a busy season at Deloitte. He met one of the most pivotal figures in his career on his first day at the firm: business assurance and advisory services manager Brett Sinsabaugh, CPA (right), who has been his formal mentor pretty much ever since and helped him gain the skills and confidence that landed him his new position.

That relationship came about as part of Keiter’s BAM initiative, where BAM stands for Buddy, Advocate, Mentor. The first two relationships in that title come into play when a new employee joins the firm — the buddy helps out with orientation and what Pope calls “silly questions,” while the advocate speaks up on his or her behalf in performance, salary and promotion matters. But each employee chooses his or her own mentor after spending some time at the firm, and that’s where Pope and Sinsabaugh made a profound connection.

Full Article published by VSCPA.

For our staff, Keiter is a place where they can find fulfillment in their careers, flexibility to balance what matters most in life, and an atmosphere that inspires creativity and community. Want to be a part of the Keiter team? Find out more about our career opportunities.

Additional Resources:

Assurance Manager Advocates for Virginia Tax Conformity Legislation

Tips for Practicing Wellness During the Busy Tax Season

John Murray and Asif Charania Named 2018 Keiter Impact Winners

Continuing to Celebrate a Bright Future Serving the Richmond Community

Virginia Schools Rank in 2019 Top U.S. Public Colleges and Universities