Richmond, VA (December 20, 2004) - PIASCIK P.C., a Richmond-based personalized tax and financial planning CPA firm, today announced it has received the 2004 Torch Award for Marketplace Integrity. Issued by the Better Business Bureau of Central Virginia, the Torch Award recognizes area companies that maintain a solid commitment to conducting their business practices in an ethical fashion.
"It is an honor for PIASCIK to receive the Torch Award," says Steven M. Piascik CPA, MT, Founder and President of PIASCIK. "Our work environment and corporate policies contribute to the high level of ethics and responsibility we feel towards our clients. We operate in a nurturing, team atmosphere. As a result, we have been able to build a successful practice, serving corporate and high-wealth individuals' needs, from international to professional athletes, that has been recognized both locally and nationally."
In the Small Category I (1-24 employees), PIASCIK was selected for its ethical behavior, including the firm's relationships with customers, employees and suppliers; sales and marketing; community service; and programs that support employees in carrying out established ethics policies. PIASCIK was cited for the following:
- Protecting the identity of all clients. Working with a number of high-profile professional athletes, PIASCIK believes it is more important to safeguard their clients and their financial well-being than to promote the firm through the big names of the clients they represent.
- Putting a client's interests before the firm, even when it involves absorbing a loss or forgoing profits. A client asked for extensive financial statement and review work - worth $30,000. PIASCIK determined the client's situation did not warrant such an expense. As a result, the client has remained a loyal client, knowing that PIASCIK acts only in a client's best interests.
- Offering routine tax consulting with each tax engagement. Unlike other firms, PIASCIK does not charge by the hour, but rather by a flat fee, which is determined prior to entering into the engagement with a client. Included in each engagement is up to two hours of routine tax consulting per day. Clients find it to be a tremendous value, knowing that they can contact PIASCIK with whatever financial issues they face and not be billed for it.
- Traveling beyond geographic boundaries to better serve its clients. PIASCIK's international clients face financial issues that domestic companies do not encounter. The firm finds it equally important to understand their clients' US operations and to have face-to-face discussions with the executives at the parent companies overseas. PIASCIK does not charge its clients for these visits; the firm absorbs the expenses as part of what is necessary in servicing its clients.
- Listening to the needs of its clients. Some of PIASCIK's international clients seek to established US business operations, but are frustrated and confused by the myriad of issues involving not only the business aspects, but also the personal issues that family members face when having to relocate in a new country. In 2004, PIASCIK established the PIASCIK PassportSM, a unique program addressing both business and personal aspects of coming to the United States, by streamlining the process for them.
"We know what happens when companies don't put their customers' needs first," said Tom Gallagher, President & CEO of the Better Business Bureau of Central Virginia, referring to the nearly 10,000 complaints the bureau received during 2004 from dissatisfied customers. "Despite what some may perceive as a loss, companies that honor the customers' position, usually come out ahead." As a winner of the 2004 program, PIASCIK will compete in the international Torch Award competition in 2005.
PIASCIK provides premier personalized financial services to a broad range of clients throughout the United States and abroad. The firm serves private and publicly traded companies, multi-million dollar international companies, as well as professional athletes and other high net worth individuals. PIASCIK' knowledge and experience enable clients to benefit from top-notch personalized service from CPAs that understand their specific business needs. In 2004, the firm was recognized nationally by Practical Accountant magazine with a Practice Innovation Award.