Counselor honors the top industry workplaces through an exclusive survey and rankings. Find out what makes Goldner Associates Inc. a great place to work!

26. Goldner Associates Inc. (asi/209800), Nashville, TN

Goldner Associates’ “very competitive” Easter egg hunt features prizes such as candy, lottery tickets and Star Performer points.

Employees’ favorite perk: Out of its many perks, employees’ favorite is the eligibility to work from home up to two days per week. This perk supports Goldner’s initiative to maintain a work/life balance, says Denise Hays, HR manager.

Tip for finding/retaining great staff: Thanks to its unique culture, great benefits and lucrative referral bonuses, 50% of Goldner applicants and employees are the result of employee referrals, Hays says. “Our employees love their job and brag about our culture and multiple perks so much that they constantly have friends, family and colleagues tell them, ‘Let me know when you’re hiring,’” she says. She also has built and maintained excellent relationships with a few local recruiters to assist with any hard-to-fill positions.

Company culture mantra: “We hire great people, give them the tools to succeed and then get out of their way,” says Andy Straus, Goldner president. “We have created a culture of fun, appreciation and collaboration that’s based on numerous programs and perks such as family-style potlucks, competitions, a peer-to-peer Star Performer program, Goldner ‘goodies’ and an open-door policy that includes a companywide weekly update from myself. We work hard and play hard!” Straus says.