Professional Women’s Program Named Garden State Woman Magazine’s Women’s Initiative Organization of the Year
2/05/2009
Roseland, NJ – February 3, 2009 – The J.H. Cohn Professional Women’s Program has been named Garden State Woman Magazine’s 2008 Women’s Initiative Organization of the Year.
Since 2005, the Garden State Woman of the Year program has honored remarkable New Jersey women, but this year marks the first time that the publication has given an award to “a New Jersey-based organization with a clearly established and successful women’s initiative program designed to empower women to succeed in their organizations while achieving balance in their professional and personal lives.”
Launched in 2005, the women’s program at J.H. Cohn—the largest independent accounting and consulting firm in the Northeast—has evolved into a multifaceted initiative that addresses women’s unique personal and career objectives through training and development opportunities. It also features publications, seminars, online resources, and mentoring opportunities.
Each component of J.H. Cohn’s initiative is designed to empower women, ultimately improving the quality of the Firm, and the value they bring to clients. The emphasis is on core skills, including leadership, building relationships, and networking.
Specifically, the program offers the following resources: online tools and in-person opportunities for colleagues to discuss work/life effectiveness decisions and career development; sessions with outside experts to help women strengthen sales techniques, stress and time management, assertiveness training, and other topics; newsletters; mentoring opportunities; and a book club. In addition, there is an annual conference for professional women Firm-wide.
“The goal of the Professional Women’s Program is to recruit, retain, and advance women,” said Lynn Lagomarsino, CPA, partner and director of the J.H. Cohn Professional Women’s Program. “And we cannot accomplish this mission without the support of our office liaisons, each of whom plays a vital role in the program.”
In each of the firm’s 11 offices, one or two professional women are assigned as the liaison to the women in that location and are available to answer questions and facilitate activities.
“Our women will continue to shape the J.H. Cohn Professional Women’s Program,” said Lagomarsino. “We are currently establishing committees with various concentrations, including events and professional development. Led by female partners who will recruit professional women from all levels for the committees, this new strategy will give the professional women even more ownership in the program.”
The J.H. Cohn Professional Women’s Program also encourages women to grow through opportunities with external groups and by helping others. Recently, several women from the Firm hosted an all-day session entitled “Women Mentoring Women” for high school students.
About J.H. Cohn
J.H. Cohn is one of the top 20 accounting and consulting firms in the United States and the largest headquartered in New Jersey. The firm has earned a strong reputation for its industry specialization and ability to help clients drive profits and increase wealth by providing custom solutions. J.H. Cohn professionals are passionate about providing personalized and attentive service, the success of their clients and staff, and their role as community leaders. J.H. Cohn is a member of Nexia International, the world’s ninth-largest network of independent auditors, business advisors, and consultants.