Hood & Strong’s H&S Voices series highlights the people who power our work — professionals who bring expertise, empathy, and integrity to every engagement. In this installment, meet Emma Johnson, a Senior Recruiter who specializes in identifying and attracting great talent to the firm.
Q: What motivated you to join Hood & Strong — and the accounting industry?
I worked at a law firm before joining Hood & Strong and what really attracted me was the people. I started working as an Administrative Assistant at H&S for the Audit Department but found my purpose when I moved into People Operations and Recruiting.
Q. How would you describe your role and why employee recruitment is so important?
My role is all about finding and attracting great talent. Recruitment is vital because our people are what make the firm successful. It’s all about building strong teams that help us grow and thrive.
Q: What do you think sets Hood & Strong apart from other public accounting firms?
Two things that really set us apart from other public accounting firms are our people and the commitment to work-life balance. Being a smaller firm allows us to build and maintain stronger relationships. We also have a very supportive culture where people genuinely want to help each other succeed, and we prioritize work-life balance in a way that truly sets us apart.
Q: How does the People Operations team support the firm?
We handle everything from the initial screening call to onboarding new hires on their first day. We make sure our new team members feel welcomed and supported right from the start.
Q: What do you look for when recruiting candidates?
I look for candidates who are positive, eager to learn, strong team players, and excellent communicators – and having a CPA license is always a great bonus!
Q: How do you determine if a candidate will be a good fit at H&S?
We want candidates whose attitudes and values align with our collaborative, supportive culture. If they’re team players who are eager to learn and communicate well, they’ll fit right in.
Q: What aspects of H&S resonate most with the candidates you’re recruiting?
It starts with our focus on work-life balance. Other important factors include opportunities for career growth, professional training, and the support of a mentor/buddy system. Plus, the flexibility to work fully remotely or on a hybrid schedule is important to many candidates.
Q: What motivates candidates to accept an H&S job offer?
What truly motivates candidates is meeting our friendly team during interviews, experiencing the welcoming feel of a mid-sized firm, and knowing there are opportunities to grow – along with flexibility of remote or hybrid work.
Q: Anything else you would like to share?
Hood & Strong’s recruiting success comes from building genuine relationships and finding people who truly fit our team. We prioritize a positive candidate experience and make sure everyone feels valued from the very first conversation. H&S really is a great place to work and build a career.
