Consultant of the Quarter:  Bill Leonard, Boston

By continually exceeding expectations, Bill Leonard epitomizes what a Kforce Consultant of the Quarter should be.

Over the past three years, Leonard has been engaged at six different companies, transitioning easily from one new position to the next and quickly establishing himself as a valuable asset to both Kforce and the clients.

“Bill Leonard has been an outstanding consultant for the Boston F&A Flex team with a passion for getting the work done both efficiently and effectively.  He has worked extremely well with all levels of the accounting food chain and has always gotten Kforce excellent client feedback, which has further improved our relationships.  Nobody at the Kforce family is going to lose any sleep with Bill Leonard on our clock,” said Greg Palter, with Kforce Boston.

Leonard attributes his success to his desire to exceed client expectations, a process he initiates from the get go by working with them to identify the most important and immediate goals to be met.

“I’ve been in this business long enough that I understand it’s a three-way match,” said Leonard.  “The client needs someone, Kforce needs to put someone with the client and, ultimately, it’s up to me to deliver.  I know that I’m only as good as my last assignment and my current assignment, so I try to keep my head where my feet are.  I don’t try to look too far ahead or dwell too much on the past.”

That laser focus and unflappability has not gone unnoticed by the clients with whom Leonard has worked.  In several instances, his efforts have resulted in extensions of his engagements and advancement into higher-level positions.

"Bill Leonard was initially hired to come in to complete a Payroll Sox Assignment, however the project evolved into something more.  I was extremely impressed in Bill’s technical expertise and ability to adapt and be flexible to leverage and achieve the necessary deliverables to get our Sox Compliancy efforts streamlined,” said a VP of Finance for a Boston based Kforce client.  “What really resonated with me was his ability to directly apply his knowledge to the nuances of our company and to articulate that to our executive level."

For Leonard, success as a Kforce consultant comes from being flexible and open to new challenges and situations.

“Know that it’s not always going to be black and white and that you’ll have to adapt to every situation,” he advises.  “Match what you have with what the client needs, and try not to make assumptions.  And never think you can’t learn something from every situation or people at any level within an organization; sharing knowledge freely is something that is very valuable and important to me and, I believe, within a client’s culture.”
 

Also in this month's issue: 

Despite Delays and Ongoing Concerns, Companies See the Wisdom of Advanced IFRS Preparations

IASB, FASB Propose Eliminating Differences in Lease Accounting