Culture

When our founders began the firm in 1991, their goal was to establish an accounting practice that allowed for career development and for well-balanced lives outside of work. Barfield, Murphy, Shank & Smith has stayed true to those principles. (Read about our mission, vision and values and our zebra mascot.)

Not all accounting firms are alike.  Barfield, Murphy, Shank & Smith is unique. Here, you can have a growing, fulfilling career - plus a life outside of work. We have created a workplace that encourages a LIFE / WORK balance.

We have an unusually high level of employee satisfaction, very low turnover, and the ability to recruit topnotch professionals. In the 20 years we have been in operation, only four accountants have left to work for another CPA firm.

Why? Qualified employees may choose to work a flexible schedule. Employees are treated as professionals and are able to adjust their daily schedule to accommodate the occasional long lunch, late arrival or early departure.

BMSS is headquartered in our own, two-story office building with a private parking lot located in a quiet Riverchase woodlands setting that borders the Cahaba River.  Inside the building, our employees dress casually throughout the work week. All staff accountants have a private office and their own direct phone lines.

An employee concierge is available to perform your personal errands.  At any time of the work day employees can drop in the kitchen and find a fully-stocked complementary supply of fruit, snacks, soft drinks, and even candy!

During summer months, BMSS employees enjoy every other Friday off work. After 10 years of service, employees enjoy a 4-week paid sabbatical!

What else makes the culture of BMSS different? The cool perks we offer beyond the standard benefits.

BMSS was honored as "Best Place to Work" by the Birmingham Business Journal, for the FIFTH year in a row! We are the only accounting firm that has achieved this prestigious honor. In 2010, we ranked as the #1 Medium Company!

BMSS is proud to be the #3 "Best Accounting Firms to Work For" in the nation by Accounting Today.  The Wall Street Journal named BMSS a "Top Small Workplace" in the nation - the only accounting firm to receive this award!  BMSS has received the national Sloan Award for HR Excellence (watch a video about Sloan Award). We have also been named an "Innovator in Human Resources" by the Birmingham Business Journal plus featured in a national accounting magazine for our work/life balance.

With BMSS, you will discover not all accounting firms are alike.