Beyond Work & Beyond Boundaries: Our People Commitment CSS Employee Value Proposition nd B ment Bounda t B unda ies:
E MPLOYEE V ALUE P ROPOSITION : W HATISIT ?
An Employee Value Proposition (EVP) is a clear expression of the values, support, recognition, and workplace culture an organization offers its people, creating the conditions for them to thrive, contribute meaningfully, and reach their fullest potential. At CSS, we understand that every person brings more than a job title to work each day. Our people bring knowledge, judgment, initiative, and heart. A COMMITMENT TO PEOPLE, NOT JUST POSITIONS
W HAT ISAN EVP?
We aim to provide a structured experience that includes compensation and benefits but also provides meaningful work, growth opportunities, a respectful culture, and a shared sense of purpose. We see our people as whole individuals, and we design our workplace accordingly. This document lays out our Employee Value Proposition (EVP): a clear and intentional articulation of what people can expect from CSS and what we in turn expect from one another.
Changes in Today’s Work Environment
Who Drives CSS Value
Workers
People
Crawford Smith & Swallow’s EVP: OUR PEOPLE COMMITMENT
Defined around PEOPLE , not Employees.
We recognize the individuality of every team member. Roles may be structured, but people are dynamic, bringing life experience, capability, care, and community engagement to their work.
Our EVP reflects:
• Who we are as a Firm • What we stand for as a team • Why people choose to stay, grow, and lead here
A strong EVP is not just a recruitment tool it is a strategic cornerstone. It defines: • The essence of our workplace culture • Our distinct position in the talent marketplace • The values and mission that guide our collective work • Our contribution to the broader community • A shared relationship built on mutual benefit and trust We also recognize that the EVP may look slightly different depending on perspective. For prospective employees, it highlights our strengths and aspirations. For current staff, it reaffirms our commitments and serves as a guidepost for continued alignment. Ultimately, our EVP is a mirror of who we are and a promise of who we are becoming. It
Where Work Fits
Why People Work for CSS
Work
Life
Features
Feelings
Designed to provide an exceptional LIFE EXPERIENCE , not just employee experience. We support flexibility with structure, balance with accountability, and individual growth that respects career goals and family.
Delivering features and FEELINGS that match employee needs, not just offering features. We align our practices with what people truly value; clarity, fairness, development, recognition, purpose, and belonging.
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O UR P EOPLE C OMMITMENT
A NCHORED IN OUR V ISION 2030+ | P OWEREDBY P EOPLE At CSS, we recognize that our people are the driving force behind our promise to deliver superior, compassionate, and forward-thinking service. Our Employee Value Proposition is both a reflection of who we are today and a strategic commitment to who we are becoming, as outlined in our Vision 2030+. It is designed to attract, retain, and grow talent aligned with our values, mission, and future. But more than that, it is guided by a deeper principle: Our People Commitment. Our E a stra 2030+ l Our People Commitment is not static. It will evolve in tandem with our Vision 2030+ , through regular staff engagement, insights from sector benchmarking, and shared reflection. Our goal is to create a workplace where people choose to stay, choose to grow, and choose to lead. NCH At CS promi
O UR EVP P ILLARS
At CSS, work is more than accounting or wealth management, it is a calling. We offer meaningful opportunities to contribute to the financial well-being of individuals, companies and communities across the Niagara Region. Our people are proud to be part of our Firm where public trust and social impact are central to our core values. • Alignment with a sector-leading social mandate • Community-first initiatives and employee-led outreach • Clarity of purpose in every role P URPOSE WITH I MPACT We invest in relationships with our clients, our communities, and our colleagues. We foster a collaborative environment where diverse perspectives are valued. Leadership is accessible, support is real, and success is shared. • Inclusive and respectful workplace culture • Wellness is supported • Recognition programs tied to our values P EOPLE -C ENTRED C ULTURE
We are committed to developing future-ready professionals. Through newly designed learning pathways, professional and leadership development, CSS empowers employees to grow with confidence, curiosity, and accountability. • Funded professional development, dues, support and training • Cross-functional opportunities • Succession and leadership pipeline planning P ROFESSIONAL G ROWTHAND E XCELLENCE
We offer fair, competitive, and transparent compensation practices aligned with regional and sector standards and our organizational values. Our compensation approach is not just about salary, it is about security, sustainability, and shared success. • Competitive base pay and step progression • Comprehensive benefits, including a tiered system T OTAL C OMPENSATION WITH I NTEGRITY
We believe that flexibility supports performance. CSS provides adaptable work arrangements that balance organizational needs with employee wellbeing, enabling individuals to bring their best selves to work. • Flexible frameworks, where applicable • Technology tools that support agile collaboration • Clear expectations, trust & value-based accountable productivity F LEXIBILITY AND F UTURE -F OCUSED W ORK
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Our People Commitment is a defining element of the long-term strategic direction of Crawford, Smith & Swallow. It reflects who we are as an employer and what we offer our people: a workplace grounded in trust, inclusion, purpose, and growth. It is not a fixed declaration, but a living framework that evolves with the expectations of our workforce and the ongoing transformation of the sector. This commitment affirms that our people are not only contributors to our mission but the driving force behind our success. Each individual brings more than a job title. They bring knowledge, lived experience, adaptability, and a deep sense of purpose. In return, we provide the structure, flexibility, support, and opportunities that allow each person to lead with confidence, grow with intention, and contribute with clarity. Fully aligned with the priorities of Vision 2030+ , Our People Commitment helps us foster a culture of shared accountability, transparent communication, and meaningful recognition. It guides how we lead, how we invest in our people, and how we create the conditions that allow them to thrive. As we continue to advance our strategic priorities, including operational excellence, client- focused innovation, and sector leadership, the strength of Our People Commitment will remain essential. It ensures that Crawford, Smith & Swallow is a place where people choose not only to work, but to grow, to lead, and to stay. C ONCLUSION : A CTIVATING O UR P EOPLE C OMMITMENT FOR THE F UTURE A CCOUNTABLE P RODUCTIVITY Accountable productivity is a performance philosophy that emphasizes outcomes over output, trust over oversight, and shared ownership over isolated effort. It enables CSS to balance flexibility with clarity, empowering individuals to deliver meaningful results while remaining accountable to team goals, client expectations, and organizational priorities. This approach to productivity moves beyond traditional performance metrics such as hours logged, or volume of tasks completed. Instead, it prioritizes strategic contribution, value- added work, and personal responsibility for results, all within a framework of transparency, respect, and consistent support. Accountable productivity is a direct expression of Our People Commitment . It recognizes that individuals bring more than technical skills to their roles, they bring perspective, purpose, and professional judgment. In return, we create the conditions that allow them to thrive, to take ownership of their contributions, and to engage in work that is both structured and human-centred. In a workplace guided by our Vision 2030+ , accountable productivity is not simply encouraged; it is essential. It reflects our evolution into a future-ready organization with clearly defined expectations, adaptive leadership, and a workforce that is trusted to act with integrity, deliver with purpose, and grow through impact.
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Built on Trust. Powered by People.
Forward-Looking Statements This release contains forward-looking statements about Crawford Smith & Swallow LLP (CSS) future plans, strategies, beliefs and performance that are not historical facts. Such statements are based on the Firm’s assumptions and beliefs in light of competitive, financial and economic data currently available and are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Accordingly, CSS wishes to caution readers that actual results may differ materially from those projected in this release and that CSS bears no responsibility for any negative impact caused by the use of this release.
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