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Instructor
Rebecca Himango
Instructor
Rebecca graduated with her Master of Professional Accountancy from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and started her career as a Certified Public Accountant with Ernst & Young, a global public accounting firm. She later transitioned to the private sector and ended a successful accounting career as a controller for a small international company. From there, Rebecca followed her heart and passion for people into a career in human resources and recruiting. As an HR Director of a regional CPA firm, Rebecca partnered with the firm’s owners to strategize and implement initiatives related to organizational structure, culture, talent, and management. She also utilized innovative techniques for attracting, hiring, motivating, developing, and retaining people. In the evening, Rebecca enjoyed teaching introductory accounting courses at the University of Colorado.
In 2020, Rebecca founded Himango Consulting, assisting clients with employee hiring and retention, team building and retreats, recognition and rewards, and HR audits designed to assess departmental deficiencies and recommend solutions. Her CPA background affords her a unique perspective as an HR professional that enables her to be strategically and financially focused.
In 2024, having worked across various industries, Rebecca realized that helping CPA firms was not just her area of expertise, but also what she knows and loves. CPA firms typically don't require a full HR function until they grow to over 50 employees which is why she developed resources specifically for small CPA firms without dedicated HR staff.
Launching illuminHR in 2024, Rebecca now offers HR courses for the do-it-yourself CPA firm owner, workshops for those that want to be walked through the process, and HR consulting for those that want to focus on their accounting firm and leave the HR to the consultants.
In addition to her experience, Rebecca leads with authenticity, integrity and transparency and strives to make a difference in the lives of others. As a coach and mentor, Rebecca enjoys bringing out the best in others through listening, guidance, and encouragement. Valuing the opinions of others, Rebecca is extremely collaborative and works through differences until a win-win is found.
In addition to her professional career, Rebecca has made a priority of accepting challenges and exploring new opportunities in life. In this pursuit, she has traveled extensively to experience, learn about and appreciate other cultures. She is a wife and mother of two boys and loves all things Elvis and The Eagles.
Attracting and retaining top talent is one of the most critical challenges facing today’s CPA firms. This session explores how hiring practices, onboarding experiences, and organizational culture intersect to shape employee engagement and retention. Participants will evaluate how intentional culture-building—from retreats to recognition programs—can differentiate their firm in a competitive talent market. The course also addresses how structured onboarding processes and values-aligned recruitment can accelerate integration and commitment. By connecting the dots between employee experience and firm success, leaders will gain practical strategies to cultivate workplaces where employees are motivated to join, contribute, and stay.
ObjectiveStatusCommentsIdentify key elements that contribute to a firm’s organizational culture
Evaluate the role of retreats and recognition in enhancing employee engagement
Analyze hiring strategies that align with firm values and culture
Design onboarding practices that promote early connection and retention
Develop strategies to improve employee retention through culture and alignment
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Managing partners, firm administrators, HR professionals, and emerging leaders involved in hiring, onboarding, or shaping firm culture. This session is also valuable for team leads and practice managers seeking to improve employee retention, strengthen workplace engagement, and align talent strategies with organizational values.
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