Award-winning talent development programs

Developing the Next Generation of Leaders

We take your development seriously because at Blue we don't want you to just do well. We want you to thrive.

Join Our Team

Building Core Competencies

Unlock Your Full Potential with Talent Development

At Blue, we believe that continuous learning and development is key to achieving personal and professional growth, and we are committed to supporting our employees on this journey.

That's why we provide a variety of training and development programs to our employees, ranging from on-the-job coaching to leadership development programs. 

Core Leadership Competencies

Here is what we believe successful leadership looks like at Blue.

  • Leadership, Communication & Social Skills

    Able to influence, inspire, and motivate others to achieve results. Able to articulate and exchange relevant information with appropriate delivery.

  • Critical Thinking & Decision Making Skills

    Able to ask effective questions, interpret information, link data, and leverage knowledge to draw conclusions for effective problem-solving and decision-making. 

  • Client Service & Advisory Skill Development

    Able to utilize business acumen and intelligence when consulting with clients by integrating a holistic approach to client service.

  • Technical & Digital Upskilling

    Understand, interpret, and integrate new technologies. Able to interpret and provide a broader context using financial and nonfinancial information.

  • Business Development Skills

    Able to improve personal effectiveness and confidence in business development related activities such as creating meaningful business development plans, expanding client relationships, etc.

For Future Managers

About Bridges

Bridges is a leadership program for future managers at Blue. This 12-month program features 9 communication sessions that focus on developing the skills needed to transform an employee from being an individual team member to a future leader.

33

total employees who graduated
from the bridges programs

54%

of bridges graduates have
been promoted to Manager
Bridges 2 class smiling and waving while getting a group photo on Zoom
Bridges 2 team does team building exercise at in-person event
Bridges 2 Group photo at off-site in Cincinnati
Smiling teammates at Bridges in-person event
Bridges 2 team does team building event at in-person meeting

For New Managers

About Pathways

The PATHWAYS program has been designed to educate new managers on management fundamentals expected at Blue. The program content is developed to support Blue’s Core Learning competencies.

64

graduates from the
pathways programs

87%

of 2023 participants said they
felt the program was valuable
Chad Pfeifer presenting at Pathways Event
Team building event at Pathways training
Smiling team at Pathways event
Goofy team photo at Pathways event
Two smiling senior managers at Pathways event

for Managers & Senior Managers

About Building Leaders

Building Leaders is Blue's award-winning, advanced leadership program for Managers and Senior Managers. This extensive 18-month long program was created to develop the non-technical skills of future leaders in our organization. 

52

graduates from the
building leaders programs

29

of the building leaders graduates
are now Directors at Blue

Members from the Building Leaders group watch in amazement as members are helped over the 20 foot wall at Camp Joy ropes course
Building Leaders group trying to climb wall at Camp Joy ropes course
Three women smiling in helmets at ropes course for Building Leaders
Building Leaders Group taking a fun picture at Camp Joy ropes course
Building Leaders team participating in a team building puzzle

for experienced leaders & everyone in between

About ULead

ULead is a new development program launching in 2023 and will teach best practices in leadership development. This program is ideal for experienced leaders in the firm who are seeking additional development opportunities or those who do not quite fit the career stage required for our other programs.

Careers Site - ULead logo

for directors & C-Suite

About Crucial Conversations

Crucial Conversations is a new executive development program geared towards improving team development, coaching, conversations, and feedback. This program is currently only available at the director and C-suite level. In the fall of 2023, Crucial Conversations will also be offered to Senior Managers as part of the ULEAD program.

Crucial Conversations - logo

for coaches & others

Other Development Programs

The opportunities don’t end with these programs!
For those interested in additional development opportunities with less of a time commitment, explore some of our other development options.

Jan Green calling attention to large dining room at Etiquette Dinner

for all employees

As professionals who might need to entertain clients or attend business dinners, having good dining etiquette is essential. 

Throughout the year, our Talent Development team hosts Etiquette Dinners where employees from all levels can learn basic dining etiquette.

During this program, participants gain confidence in learning the fine art of dining etiquette, tips when hosting a meal with a client, essential do’s and don'ts that send a message about their level of professionalism. This four-course dinner program is fun, informational, and very filling!

CPA Exam Assistance

for all employees

Blue has a direct bill agreement with the Becker CPA Review Course. This course is the unlimited package, which provides study materials for as long as you need them. As a Blue and Co. employee, you will be given access to these materials at no cost to you. 

Additional Info about CPA Exam assistance:

  • The firm will give employees a one-time, interest-free loan, for the cost of the combined CPA exam sitting fees. The loan will be forgiven once the employee passes all four parts of the CPA exam.
  • Employees will receive a bonus payment up to $2,000 for successful completion of all four parts of the CPA exam!
Connect at Blue - logo - Blue's mentorship program

for all employees

Connect at Blue is a volunteer-based program where senior management can share their knowledge and expertise through the mentorship of staff and young professionals at the firm. 

Connect at Blue was created to promote employee growth and development and to help build a more connected workplace across the firm.

This program is open to all employees at the firm, regardless of position.

FOR ALL EMPLOYEES

In addition to our Leadership Development programs, we have a plethora of technical training programs to offer.

Here is a list of programs you can count on to keep you learning and growing in your professional career. 

  • Tax and Audit Learning Tracks for a great start in your new career.
  • Audit and Tax Level Training – Levels 1, 2, 3, 4.
  • Technical updates to keep you in the know for all important changes.
  • Specialty Training like Employee Benefit Plans, Governmental Audits, Systems Training, etc.
  • Internal Conferences and Niche Meetings to exchange best practices to better serve clients.
Group training stock photo
Smiling leader in front of a team of women - Coaches Corner

for coaches at all levels

When an individual contributor gets promoted to New Manager, Blue recognizes the responsibility of helping this new manager learn the essential skills for their new leadership role. In addition to the Pathways program, we have created additional tools to put valuable resources immediately in the hands of new managers.

One tool we have is the Coaches Corner. This is an internally hosted site that explains expectations, processes, and responsibilities for new managers. Coaches will also soon have a Coach Learning Track that they can watch to learn Blue’s best practices. 

the blue way blog

Learning & Development in Action

  • "Being selected to participate in the Building Leaders program was a great honor for me; however, what I did not realize was just how important this program is to Blue. Not only did the program benefit me personally by developing my communication, critical thinking and leadership skills, but Building Leaders allowed me to gain an understanding of the Firm’s offices and industry groups that would not have otherwise been possible. This understanding of Blue is vital and  key to the development of our future Directors and the ongoing success of the Firm."

    Jeff Moffatt
    Senior Manager Jeff Moffatt - headshot

  • "Blue’s Building Leaders experience allowed me to discover the leadership that lies within me! The program ignited me to take power and ownership over my career and clearly define the essence of my legacy. Did I need this program? Absolutely. Does Blue need this program? Most certainly. More importantly, do you need this program? Undoubtedly."

    Michelle Trowell
    Director headshot - Michelle Trowell

  • "The most important takeaway from the Building Leaders program is the opportunity to develop deeper relationships with colleagues and Directors from other offices. These relationships allow for the sharing of best practices in client service, business development and team management. Participants are also given more insight into the overall Firm: what has been done before, where we are today, and the vision for the future. Taken together, these big picture takeaways help to create a greater sense of purpose in becoming one Firm, and in performing our day-to-day responsibilities."

    Jennifer Miloszewski
    Director Jennifer Miloszewski_square headshot

  • "This program has been both an incredible challenge and also very enlightening. The amount of information I learned about the Firm, my leadership abilities, and my future co-leaders was priceless. Throughout the program, I was challenged with multiple projects that pushed me outside my comfort zone, but those opportunities led to growth, both personally and professionally. The program was an incredibly challenging and rewarding experience."

    Eric Jaske
    Director Eric Jaske - headshot

Ready to Work at a Top 60 CPA Firm?

At Blue & Co., you are a person, a valued member of the team and someone we consider family. Let us help you define your career path and provide opportunities where you can make a difference. 

Join Our Team