January 23, 2024
Larson & Company is proud to announce the addition of three new shareholders to their leadership group. All hold non-traditional leadership positions within the firm, and some began their careers with Larson as interns. Deann Ballard, Director of Operations, Jim Phillippi, Director of IT, and Margo Andersen, Director of Marketing, were all admitted as shareholders to the company recently.
It’s a new trend in accounting firms to have nontraditional partners and shareholders who are serving as directors over operations of the firm. Operations, IT, and Marketing are key areas inside of Larson that enable the firm to function and remain competitive in the market, contributing to the bottom line in a different way than a traditional client services partner. Larson & Company has decided to offer ownership status to these three administrative leaders to reward them for their outstanding work and to offer a retirement solution for them. It is one more way Larson & Company is leading into the future of accounting with their firm structure.
Deann Ballard, Director of Operations, began her career with Larson & Company 25 years ago as a receptionist. She worked her way up through the company and now manages all financial and operational details of the firm.
Jim Phillippi, Director of IT, began with Larson & Company 20 years ago as an IT assistant. He manages all security, hardware, software, and technology operations of the firm.
Margo Andersen, Director of Marketing, began with Larson & Company 13 years ago as a marketing coordinator. She now oversees all communication, events, business development, and promotion of the firm. Margo started with the firm as a Marketing Coordinator working just 10 hours a week and worked her way up to Marketing Director 11 years ago. “I think the key to me having this opportunity is Larson’s management philosophy of constantly improving oneself,” said Andersen. “I feel like if you can start here as a part-time mom returning to the workforce and achieve this level of career achievement, you are working for a great company. I have always appreciated that I have been given the tools to learn and to grow here.”
“The promotion of these individuals from within is a testament to our belief in individual improvement,” said Managing Partner Greg Denning. “As a firm we are also looking for ways to improve – improve as individuals, as a team, as a firm. One of our core values is ‘achievement through constant improvement.’ When you have individuals that you work with that help all of us improve, make the firm better, a great place to work, and have outstanding leadership qualities, you want to make sure you are providing growth opportunities for them. Even though these individuals aren’t typical client service partners they do perform key roles within the firm. We are extremely pleased that Deann, Jim, and Margo meet these qualifications and have been promoted to shareholders.”
All three new shareholders work at the Salt Lake Metro location of Larson & Company offices at District Heights.