Beyond the Balance Sheet: Porte Brown's Culture Earns Top Workplace Award

ELK GROVE VILLAGE, IL – April 21, 2026 – For the second time in three years, Porte Brown LLC, a prominent Chicagoland accounting firm with an 80-year history, has secured a coveted spot on the list of the Best Places to Work in Illinois. The 2026 recognition underscores the firm's sustained commitment to creating a superior work environment in a highly competitive professional services landscape.

The annual award, a project of the Daily Herald Suburban Business in partnership with Workforce Research Group, is more than a plaque on the wall; it's a data-driven validation of a company's internal health and employee satisfaction.

A Rigorous Stamp of Approval

Unlike many corporate awards, the Best Places to Work in Illinois designation is largely determined by the people who know the company best: its employees. The selection process involves a rigorous, two-part evaluation. The first part, accounting for about 25% of the score, is an in-depth review of the company’s workplace policies, practices, and demographics. This audit examines everything from benefits packages and compensation to training programs and diversity initiatives.

The second, more heavily weighted component—comprising 75% of the total score—is a comprehensive and anonymous employee survey. This survey measures the employee experience across dozens of metrics, gauging opinions on leadership, corporate culture, communication, and overall job satisfaction. The entire process is managed by the independent Workforce Research Group, which analyzes the data to determine the final rankings, ensuring an objective and credible outcome. This employee-centric methodology gives the award significant weight, reflecting a genuine endorsement from within the organization.

The People-First Blueprint

For Porte Brown, this recognition is the result of a deliberate, long-term strategy focused on its people. The firm has consistently cultivated a culture that aims to be collaborative, supportive, and rewarding.

"We are honored to be recognized as one of the 2026 Best Places to Work in Illinois," said Joseph A. Gleba, CEO & Managing Partner. "This recognition reflects the strong culture we have built at Porte Brown and the dedication of our staff members who make our firm a collaborative, supportive, and rewarding place to work. We are committed to fostering an environment where our staff members can grow professionally, feel valued for their contributions, and continue providing exceptional service to our clients."

This commitment is not just talk. Porte Brown has a history of earning this distinction, notably securing the #1 ranking in the medium-sized company category in 2024. The firm backs its cultural claims with a robust benefits package that includes 100% paid health and vision insurance, profit-sharing, paid parental leave, and even a fully paid master's degree program. These tangible investments in employee well-being and professional development are cornerstones of its retention strategy, building loyalty in an industry known for high turnover.

This ethos traces back to the firm's founding in 1946 by Jim Porte, who established a standard of deep client engagement. Over eight decades, that focus has expanded inward, creating a parallel commitment to employee growth and satisfaction. The longevity of many partners, some with over two decades at the firm, provides a stable leadership foundation that reinforces this culture.

Culture as a Competitive Advantage

In the professional services sector, where talent is the primary asset, a positive workplace culture translates directly into a powerful business advantage. Accolades like "Best Places to Work" serve as a crucial differentiator in the fierce competition for top-tier accountants, auditors, and consultants. Research shows that companies with strong employer brands can fill roles up to 20% faster and at a significantly lower cost than their competitors.

More importantly, a happy and engaged workforce delivers superior results. Porte Brown’s internal success is mirrored by its external performance. The firm is a recipient of ClearlyRated's 2026 Best of Accounting 5 Year Gold Award, an honor based exclusively on client feedback. Porte Brown achieved a client satisfaction score of 81.4%—meaning more than four out of five clients gave them a 9 or 10 out of 10—which towers over the industry average of just 48%. This powerful correlation suggests that valued and supported employees are the engine behind exceptional client service.

This combination of employee satisfaction and client success has helped the firm earn consistent recognition from Accounting Today as a "Great Lakes Regional Leader" and a "Firm to Watch," as well as a place on the prestigious IPA Top 500 CPA Firms list. In a crowded market with giants like RSM and BDO, these accolades help Porte Brown not only compete but thrive.

A Magnet for Illinois Talent

The impact of Porte Brown's achievement extends beyond its own office walls. In the broader context of the Illinois economy, companies that prioritize their workforce become magnets for talent, helping the state retain skilled professionals and attract new ones. By creating a destination workplace, the firm contributes to the overall health and competitiveness of the regional business ecosystem.

This award highlights a growing understanding among business leaders: investing in employee well-being is not just a social good but a strategic imperative for sustainable growth. As companies across all sectors grapple with post-pandemic workforce dynamics, Porte Brown offers a compelling case study in how to build a resilient and high-performing organization from the inside out.

Porte Brown will be formally celebrated at a special awards event hosted by the Daily Herald Suburban Business on Thursday, May 7. The final rankings, which will reveal where the firm places among the state's best, will be announced at the event and published in a special edition later in May.