A Conversation with Alexis Sikma, Brewery Accountant

What initially attracted you to Small Batch Standard and what is your current role with the company?

I was initially attracted to SBS because of the values. And honestly, the interview/application process. I was thinking, “Oh, well, if they're doing this intense of an application, then they're obviously looking for the best to be in this position and work here.” Getting to speak with multiple people on the team throughout the interview process at different times really helped too as I had familiar faces when I started.

I started with SBS in March of 2022 as a Brewery Accounting Associate with the hopes of moving up and I eventually did to my current position of Brewery Accountant.?

How would you speak to the ability to grow in your position here?

I never felt like I wasn't going to be able to grow into the Brewery Accountant position, even as someone just starting with Small Batch Standard. I always felt they were pushing to get me where I needed to be so I could grow into a greater role.

What do you enjoy about working in a niche industry with a specific client profile?

I like the consistency of it because I can use knowledge that I've gained with one client to help others be successful. For example, if a client has a specific issue and another client ends up having a similar issue down the road, I’m better suited to handle that problem knowing how best to invest my time.

And on an unrelated and personal note, it’s cool when I go to places, like grocery stores, and look at the craft beer aisle and see if they have any client products.

What benefit(s) do you enjoy at SBS?

You always get the benefit of the doubt if there's an issue or if something is wrong. There's never an accusation. Typically, other places in the accounting world will ask, “What did you do to mess this up?” But at SBS it's always, “Okay, how can we fix this? What can we learn from it? Let's deep dive into it together and find out.”

I never feel like anything is directly my fault or that I deliberately did something wrong. Or that I'm not capable in my position. I always have the resources that I need and I feel confident to go to other people with my questions.

Our firm was remote prior to it becoming the norm. Some remote environments can bring about a lack of connection. Do you feel connected to your team?

You have to have the right recipe in a remote accounting position. You really need to have a quiet space without interruptions for a lot of accounting tasks, but also have the ability to talk to other people to bounce ideas off of or problem solve.

Some firms are filled with unstructured chaos with every other department leaking into the accounting department and it makes those accounting teams unsuccessful and unproductive. SBS provides the ability to combat this type of working environment with our Office Hours. Office Hours are department-specific meetings that occur multiple times a week to provide space for problem solving and learning.

And then we also have our Monday Kick-Offs, Buddy Check-Ins, and Lunchroom Chatter, where you can sit and talk and find out about people and what they’re doing in their lives outside of work!

There’s never the feeling of a disconnection between me and other team members. I can reach out to whomever and know that they’ll get back to me when they can. I feel like it's the team utilizing our time to our benefits while still connecting and being productive.

What would you say to someone who is applying to SBS?

I would say “You're not going to get accounting experience like this anywhere else.”

To have the teachers like we do here, and I'm saying like Chris, Tom, Derek, Allie, Julia, and all these individuals from our team are going to give you a different type of accounting experience you're not going to get at your cookie cutter accounting job.

And now that I have those resources in my hands, I would never want to go anywhere else because it's not going to be the same or as good. Probably not even half as decent, but that's just me.

Any final thoughts you would like to share with those reading?

I know we work in the craft beer industry, but what we do is more than just beer. It's about having a great learning experience and helping somebody.

You’re gonna change someone’s life. New restaurant openings, additional business investments, overall growth. I had a hand in that success. You don’t do this for the beer. You do this for the people who had a dream and you’re helping them make it come to life.