SEP ranks as the Fifth Best Place to Work in Indiana for Medium-Sized Businesses

May 2, 2013 (INDIANAPOLIS) — Companies that have set the standard for workplace excellence were recognized before a crowd of more than 1,200 at the JW Marriott in downtown Indianapolis. The occasion: The Indiana Chamber of Commerce unveiled rankings for the record 100 companies from throughout the state that made the 2013 Best Places to Work in Indiana list (released in February).

For the first time, winners were selected in four categories. Garnering top honors for 2013:
• Small companies’ category (between 15 and 74 U.S. employees): Hollingsworth & Zivitz, P.C. of Carmel, a law practice founded in 2004 and specializing in family law

• Medium companies’ category (between 75 and 249 U.S. employees): Somerset CPAs of Indianapolis, a full-service certified public accounting and professional service firm

• Large companies’ category (between 250 and 999 U.S. employees): Sikich, LLP of Indianapolis, an accounting, advisory, technology and managed services group

• Major companies’ category (1,000 or more U.S. employees): Microsoft Corporation, whose local Indianapolis office delivers business consulting on software and technology solutions

For Hollingsworth & Zivitz and Microsoft, this marks the second and third straight years, respectively, to finish number one.

“The four top companies all have open communication with staff, an inviting culture that unites employees and an understanding of the work-life balance,” offers Indiana Chamber President and CEO Kevin Brinegar.

All companies making the list, Brinegar emphasizes, recognize how important it is for the success of a business to make employees feel valued. “Each one should be very proud of the positive environment they have created.”

At the dinner, presented by Comcast Business Class, representatives from all designated companies received Best Places to Work awards of excellence on stage. Two companies – Edward Jones (statewide) and Katz, Sapper & Miller (Indianapolis) – have made the Best Places to Work list all eight years of the program’s existence. Of the 2013 honorees, 60 were repeats from last year.

More information about the Best Places to Work companies is available via a special section of the May/June issue of the Indiana Chamber’s BizVoice® magazine, a statewide publication released tonight and accessible online at www.bizvoicemagazine.com.

Other program partners are Inside INdiana Business with Gerry Dick, the Best Companies Group, Indiana Economic Development Corporation and Indiana State Council of SHRM.

In addition to Comcast Business Class, Best Places to Work in Indiana is sponsored by: Ice Miller LLP, NIPSCO (NiSource subsidiary); Hays Companies; ADVISA; Elfcu, Eli Lilly Federal Credit Union; FedEx; Jackson Lewis LLP; Matrix Integration, LLC; Purdue University; and Smithville.

For more information on the Indiana Chamber’s Best Places to Work program, go to www.bestplacestoworkIN.com. Companies can sign up to be notified by email when application details for the ninth annual competition are announced this summer.

All companies that participate in the Best Places to Work program receive an in-depth evaluation identifying strengths and weaknesses according to their employees.

The top companies in the state are determined through employer reports and comprehensive employee surveys. Out-of-state parent companies were eligible to participate if at least 15 full-time employees are in Indiana. The Best Companies Group, which handled the selection process, oversees similar programs in 21 other states.

The abridged list of the 2013 Best Places to Work in Indiana companies by ranking (edited to show top 5):

Small Companies (15-74 U.S. employees)
Company / Location

1. Hollingsworth & Zivitz, P.C. / Carmel
2. E-gineering, LLC / Indianapolis
3. BlueSky Technology Partners / Noblesville
4. Indesign, LLC / Indianapolis
5. Moser Consulting, Inc. / Indianapolis

Medium Companies (75-249 U.S. employees)
Company / Location

1. Somerset CPAs / Indianapolis
2. Purdue Federal Credit Union / West Lafayette
3. Project Lead The Way / Indianapolis
4. HardingPoorman Group, Inc. / Indianapolis
   5. Software Engineering Professionals, Inc. / Carmel

Large Companies (250-999 U.S. employees)
Company / Location

1. Sikich LLP / Indianapolis
2. Appirio / Indianapolis
3. Centier Bank / Merrillville
4. FORUM Credit Union / Fishers
5. Royal United Mortgage / Indianapolis

Major Companies (1,000+ U.S. employees)
Company / Location

1. Microsoft Corporation / Indianapolis
2. Edward Jones / Statewide
3. Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P.C./ Indianapolis
4. Cassidy Turley / Indianapolis
5. Sogeti USA / Indianapolis