This Insights was contributed by Meridith Belcher, an associate at Adam Shay CPA, PLLC.
 
We are fortunate enough to have a growing business and client base, and enjoyable day-to-day lives. It can be easy to take this for granted. We believe that it is important for businesses to give back to the community. This is one of the reasons that we decided in 2011 to become a Certified B Corporation. It is also the reason that we have decided to hold a professional clothing drive this spring (more on that later). 
 
Certified B Corporations are a group of businesses that have banded together to have a positive impact by the ways they do business. We must meet strict guidelines and have expanded reporting requirements, but by doing so, our company is held accountable to make a positive impact in our community.
 
One way that our team has made a difference in our community is through volunteering. Each quarter, we pick an organization that one of our team members is interested in and serve as volunteers for that organization in some capacity. This could be hands-on work or holding fundraisers for an organization. Not only is this doing good for the community, but it allows our employees to use work hours to take part in something that is near and dear to their hearts. It satisfies the theme of positive impact on the community as well as in the workplace. In the past, we have done volunteer projects with Wilmington Area Rebuilding Ministries (WARM), Work on Wilmington (WOW), The Food Bank of Central and Eastern N.C., Snipes Academy of Arts and Design, and Murrayville Elementary School.
 
What does a day of volunteering look like for us? Our most recent activity was in December. The Adam Shay CPA team ventured downtown for the day expecting to decorate the Harrelson Center  for the holidays while learning about each organization that has offices in the center. Sadly, when we arrived that Monday morning, we were informed that over the weekend, someone had vandalized the building, flooding every level of it. While we were not able to decorate, we were able to help the center start to clean up and get exposure to each organization.
 
For those of you who do not know, The Harrelson Center houses various nonprofit organizations that are helping our wonderful Wilmington community. For example, Wilmington Area Rebuilding Ministry (WARM), Phoenix Employment Ministries, and Philippians 3 are inside the center. We hated that their building was vandalized, but we were thankful that we could show support by helping to clean up.
 
You may think that you are too busy to help the community. Maybe you own a business, have a full-time demanding job, or have a family. The fact is there are so many opportunities to help. If you are willing, you can always find something that will fit into your schedule.
 
What's on the horizon? As I am sure you can imagine, January through April is a busy time for our office. This does not mean that we take a break from helping the community. We just have to get a little more creative. We have partnered with Philippians 3 Ministries to do a tax-season fundraiser. This organization does a variety of helpful things for the community, such as providing clothing to job-seeking individuals. In addition, it provides help to families who need assistance with food through its "Food for Families" Program. The folks there were able to provide 40 families with Christmas dinner this year. These are families that without assistance from Philippians 3 would have gone without. We are holding a Spring Clean-a-Thon where we are asking our clients and professional partners to donate business and professional attire to this cause.
 
By being a B Corporation, we are held to a higher level of accountability to make this a priority and common theme within the firm. The old cliché "actions speak louder than words" rings true in this scenario. Being a B Corporation is not just a title that anyone can have. It's something that you are rewarded with by following the strict requirements that are in place. It's about company culture and overall mission.

Can you help us help others this quarter by dropping off business and professional attire to our office between now and April 30? Of course, we'll have your charitable-contribution tax receipt waiting for you.
 
Meridith Belcher, is an associate at Adam Shay CPA, PLLC. She focuses on assisting business owners and individuals in tax preparation and planning. Her goal is to empower business owners and individuals by increasing knowledge about taxes and what they can do to minimize them where possible. For more information, visit http://www.wilmingtontaxesandaccounting.com/ or email her at [email protected]. She can also be reached by phone at (910) 256-3456.
 
Adam Shay, CPA (N.C. License Number 35961), MBA, is managing partner of Adam Shay CPA, PLLC. He focuses on minimizing taxes and improving the financial results of entrepreneurs, and is actively involved in supporting the Wilmington entrepreneurial and startup community. For more information, visit http://www.wilmingtontaxesandaccounting.com/ or email him at [email protected]. He can also be reached by phone at (910) 256-3456.