In today’s job market, employees regularly leave companies for any number of reasons – not enough career opportunities, poor cultural fit, or lack of work-life balance, to name a few. Employees returning to a former employer, however, is rare.
Yet at Kreischer Miller, we have numerous team members who’ve left our firm to seek new opportunities, only to return a few years later – sometimes leaving and returning more than once! What makes these “boomerangs,” as we like to call them, decide to come back to the firm? Read on for a few first-hand accounts from some of our boomerangs.
Boomerang Motivation #1: Career Opportunities Tailored to Your Goals
“I originally joined Kreischer Miller in 1998 and spent a good portion of my time working on M&A and financial modeling projects for roll up transactions. I enjoyed that type of work so much that I decided to make the leap into industry where I could use those skills full time, but I never strayed too far from Kreischer Miller; I was a client during most of my time away.
After helping a company through a sale to a strategic buyer, I knew I wanted to get back into public accounting because I really enjoyed the variety of people and clients that you have an opportunity to work with.
With that goal in mind, there really wasn’t any question about where I wanted to go—I had worked for or been a client of larger, international firms, but I always felt like the people and clients at Kreischer Miller made the environment special. They were kind enough to offer me an opportunity to rejoin the firm to lead the consulting practice, and the rest is history!”
Chris Meshginpoosh, Managing Director
“I started my career with Kreischer Miller right out of graduate school and after five years I left to pursue a career teaching high school math. Each summer break, I would come back to Kreischer Miller and work in the Employee Benefits Plan (EBP) group.
After five years of teaching, I approached Roman Leshak, who leads the EBP group, about coming back to the firm full time to specialize in EBPs. I wanted to work in the corporate environment again, while keeping my connection to teaching, which I did by taking over the detailed staff and senior level trainings.
Since I’ve come back to Kreischer Miller I’ve had the opportunity to pursue both my passion for teaching and my passion for accounting by creating my own career path with the help of my wonderful colleagues.”
Mary Pat Conville, Manager, Audit & Accounting
Boomerang Motivation #2: Greater Flexibility and Work-Life Balance
“I left Kreischer Miller as an Audit & Accounting senior to be a stay-at-home mom when my first child was born. After several years, I realized that I wanted to come back to work in a very limited, part-time role but didn’t think public accounting would be an option because of the long hours.
I reached out to some former team members to see if they had any clients that may be looking for help and was offered a part-time position as a paraprofessional in Steve Staugaitis’ Small Business Advisory group.
My role quickly evolved from paraprofessional to staff accountant to senior accountant, but all the while, I was able to maintain my part-time schedule. While I always knew I had the option to add hours, I was never pressured to do so and my client assignments were limited to what could be accomplished in my 18-hour work week.
When there was an opportunity about five years ago to be part of our new Outsourced Accounting & Finance Services practice, I took it and soon became a manager on that team under the leadership of Rob Olszewski. Around the same time, my kids were moving to middle school and I was ready to increase my hours from 18 to 30. Soon after, I was promoted to director while remaining at 30 hours.
As a busy mom, I need a career that allows me to shut down my computer at the end of the day and focus on my family. This is not typically an option in public accounting, but I was lucky enough to find roles at Kreischer Miller with supportive leaders who valued what I had to offer in the time that I had available. I do my part by holding boundaries, working efficiently, and communicating with my team.
When I initially came back to work 11 years ago, I was looking for something to get me some time away from sippy cups and diapers and allow me to use my brain and feel productive. At that time, I didn’t have big dreams for this role and I never would have imagined that I would be co-leading one of the fastest growing practice areas at the firm. Now I can have an entrepreneurial mindset, network with leaders of similar practices, sell our services to prospects, and develop strategies for our team.
I knew that I had something to offer but it was Kreischer Miller’s leaders who were willing to support and encourage a non-traditional, part-time working mom that propelled me to my current role. I can’t imagine that I would have these opportunities anywhere else.”
Lisa Cattie, Director, Outsourced Accounting & Finance Services
“Although I left Kreischer Miller in 2015 in search of a better work life balance, I ultimately returned in 2022 for the same reason, not having found that true balance at another firm. This time around, I have the flexibility I need to finally feel my role of “working mother” becoming manageable. Since returning to Kreischer Miller, I have served as homeroom parent and basketball coach for my children while still pursuing growth opportunities within the firm.”
Karen Gorski, Manager, Tax Strategies
“I started my career at Kreischer Miller in 2016 as the Human Resources Intern while I was still in college. My amazing boss, Kristin Seeger, worked with me during that time to schedule my work hours around my full time college course load. It was the best opportunity to gain real HR experience that related to what I was learning in my classes.
I left Kreischer Miller in 2021 after having my first son. In 2022, I was so fortunate to rejoin the firm part-time as a Talent Acquisition consultant.
In the same way Kristin worked with me in my college years, she works with me now to ensure I’m progressing in my career while also enjoying the flexibility of a part-time schedule to focus on my family while my kids are young. It is truly the best of both worlds and I feel so lucky to be working at a company that allows its employees to achieve genuine work-life balance no matter what stage of your career and life you are in!”
Alyssa George, Talent Acquisition Coordinator
Boomerang Motivation #3: A Culture That Cares About You as a Person
“I rejoined Kreischer Miller (for the 3rd time!) because the firm is “home” to me. Kreischer Miller is truly unique in that the firm consistently demonstrates deep care and concern for each and every team member. This is a collaborative place where every person is truly valued for their gifts, talents, and perspectives. I feel seen, heard and valued every day here at Kreischer Miller.”
Mary Ellen Harris, Chief Human Resources Officer
“Returning to Kreischer Miller was a homecoming for me. Leaving the firm nearly a decade ago was one of the hardest decisions I ever made professionally. I left behind a boss who was extraordinary; colleagues who were brilliant, compassionate, and fun; clients who were fun to work with; and a job I truly loved.
My departure was driven by a once-in-a-lifetime entrepreneurial opportunity that turned out to be a fantastic success—an opportunity I never would have had, had it not been for the invaluable experience I gained at Kreischer Miller. During my time away, my respect and admiration for the firm only deepened. I stayed close personally and professionally with many of my former colleagues and even hired the firm to handle our accounting, taxes, and an eventual transaction.
Returning to Kreischer Miller was the easiest professional decision I’ve ever made. Though I wondered how the firm had evolved while I was away given its impressive growth rate, I was pleasantly surprised to find that not only had the culture remained intact, but it had flourished—becoming even more inclusive, collaborative, developmental, and fun. The opportunities for personal and professional growth have only expanded, and I am excited to be part of this continued journey, contributing to the success of my colleagues and clients.”
Adam Berman, Director-in-Charge, Retained Executive Search
Learn More About Kreischer Miller's Unique Culture
You can read a more in-depth story about another of our boomerangs who left and returned – twice! – in this post written by Thomas Yankanich, Director, Audit & Accounting and leader of Kreischer Miller’s Government Contracting, Professional Services, and Architecture & Engineering industry groups.
Learn more about what Kreischer Miller has to offer here!