This year, the Kelowna office celebrates two decades of hosting their Annual Ping Pong Tournament during tax season. This event, which has become a highly anticipated tradition among staff, not only helps team members take breaks from their work but also fosters a sense of camaraderie, upholding the firm’s commitment to our core values: We Care. We Share. We Invest. We Grow.
The Annual Ping Pong Tournament has become a staple to the Kelowna office’s health and wellness during busy season. In 2023, there was a total of 22 teams playing 42 matches over eight weeks. Devin Hilbrecht, Kelowna Associate, has taken a lead role in coordinating the tournament and has overseen the event for over a decade. He has now labelled it the ‘Crowe Madness’ tournament, not only because the timing lines up with NCAA basketball’s March Madness, but also because of the madness the office sees in March and April due to tax season. He values the tournament’s impact within the office and shares that "the timing of the tournament is intentional, giving everyone an opportunity to break up the long day and get some movement in.”
The tournament upholds our core values as we care about staff and understand how demanding the work can be in March and April. It provides an opportunity to break up the long day and play a great game.
Devin Hilbrecht, CPA
Associate
Kelowna
In addition to providing team members a reason to get up from their desks, it’s also an opportunity to build new connections. Teams are created at random, mixing staff from all departments and roles. Devin shares that there are always team members hesitant to join the tournament. Whether it be a lack of skills or knowledge of how to play, he provides encouraging words, sharing that "the tournament isn’t about winning; it’s about being part of a team, creating new connections, and supporting others along the way.”
Micheal Hubber, Firm-wide Director of IT Operations, has won the tournament several times and has been frequently voted the favourite to win by staff. As a now virtual team member and long-standing tournament participant, his advice to team members carrying on the tradition is to “have fun, play hard, and don’t put any more holes in the wall!” A testament to the good-spirited nature of the tournament.
To close off the event, the office proudly hosts a Championship Match where all staff are invited to celebrate the glorious wins and epic defeats.
At Crowe MacKay, investing in employee growth is more than just a motto; it's a guiding principle. The Annual Ping Pong Tournament is just one example of how our firm invests in its employees' personal and professional development.
About Crowe MacKay LLP
Serving northern and western Canada for over 50 years, Crowe MacKay LLP is one of the leading accounting and advisory firms in the country. With a team of 400 across eight offices, we are a vibrant team of trusted advisors. We believe strong relationships are the cornerstone to success and strive to create innovative solutions for our clients in both private and public sectors. We have a passion for quality in the services we deliver to our community and clients from a wide range of industries. A firm focused on people first, Crowe MacKay’s corporate culture is built on maximizing potential for clients and staff. Our belief is that we are truly our best when we invest in our people and communities. Committed to showing we care about the people we serve through our work and actions, we strive to make a difference in the regions we serve.
About Crowe Global
One of the top 10 accounting networks in the world, Crowe Global has over 200 independent accounting and advisory firms in more than 145 countries. For over 100 years, Crowe has made smart decisions for multinational clients working across borders. Our leaders work with governments, regulatory bodies, and industry groups to shape the future of the profession worldwide. Their exceptional knowledge of business, local laws, and customs provide lasting value to clients undertaking international projects. At Crowe, the professionals all share one commitment, to deliver excellence.