Company: Vaco Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
Entry Submitted By: Strategies
Company Description: Vaco Los Angeles is a leading consulting and staffing firm for accounting, finance and technology professionals.
Nomination Category: Company/Organization Awards Categories
Nomination Sub Category: Employer of the Year

Nomination Title: Vaco Los Angeles - Employer of the Year

Describe for the judges the activities and accomplishments of the nominated organization since the beginning of July last year (up to 500 words):

Frances Moreno founded Vaco Los Angeles with the vision to change the way work was done in the corporate environment. She re-structured traditional business so people could have interesting, successful careers while meeting personal goals and responsibilities – true work/life balance. The proof of her success is Vaco being named #1 Best Place to Work in Los Angeles, Small Employers in 2012 and the only company ever to be a three-time #1 winner (2012, 2011 and 2009)! Fox News 11 in Los Angeles commented in a recent segment about Vaco that “if innovation is the mother of invention, Vaco’s Frances Moreno is a mom who’s an employer who’s doing some very cool things.”

Vaco is a consulting and executive placement firm that specializes in finance, accounting and technology professionals for contract/consulting positions and permanent direct-hire positions. Vaco doesn’t require standard office hours for employees so there’s optimal autonomy and flexibility. Vaco’s employees are given goals/responsibilities and the freedom to structure their schedules to reach them. As long as the goals are accomplished, the details of “how” are left up to the employee. This level of personal responsibility has led to an unparalleled level of career satisfaction and exemplary performance and results at Vaco.

Vaco’s core infrastructure of processes and systems enable this culture. For example, office phones are seamlessly forwarded to employee cell phones, and smart phones are provided so employees can respond to client emails from anywhere. Employees attend regular team meetings by phone or Skype to collaborate on projects and work in teams to meet client requirements. Mentorship is a key value for Vaco and new employees are matched with senior employees to help grow their skills.

Vaco also provides a generous commission and bonus structure; annual incentive trips for accomplishing goals to places like Costa Rica, Panama and Lake Tahoe; and in-office massages. The bonus and commission program converted from quarterly to monthly at employee request. Vaco is an employer that listens to and trusts its people, and the results have been spectacular.

Vaco offers unmatched benefits to the contract consultant professionals they place including health insurance, 401Ks, paid holidays, and two weeks yearly bonus pay. Companies seek professionals for contract positions for several reasons, including: an employee is out on leave; seasonal needs such as tax season, or they need an executive for a strategic initiative but wouldn’t be able to afford one permanently. These positions typically last for a period of months. Many professionals opt for consulting as a career path. Professionals can pick and choose positions and shift into different industries, projects and responsibilities to expand their experience. Consulting offers professionals unmatched flexibility, while allowing them to earn a growing salary and continue to grow in their careers.

Clearly, these programs are working. Vaco has grown from zero to over $22 million since its inception in 2006, has ranked number 15 of 100 Fastest Growing Privately Held Companies in L.A., and has been named the #1 Best Place to Work in L.A. in 2012, 2011 and 2009. Vaco truly deserves to be named the Employer of the Year.

Provide a brief biography of the person or persons who lead the nominated organization (up to 100 words):

Anchor partner Frances Moreno founded Vaco Los Angeles in 2006. Vaco s a consulting and executive placement firm specializing in technology, accounting and finance professionals. Frances earned her CPA license after completing her Bachelor’s degree in accounting with a Spanish minor at Cal State University, San Diego. Frances is a former Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Scholar to Madrid, Spain. Previously, she worked for Deloitte, the State of California, an ERP software company, and an S&P 500 staffing company. She’s a member of Vistage, Women’s Presidents Organization and Financial Executives International, and serves on the Kidsave board of directors.

The CEO (or other principal manager) of this company is a woman, and at least 40% of the management team is comprised of women.