IF IT'S A solution you're after, just ask an accountant. When an employee at PwC wanted to work flexibly to find time to write a novel, the London-based professional services firm obliged. And that's only one example. One board member works part-time, one consultant has compressed hours so she can spend several months a year fundraising by climbing mountains, and the novelist explains that “in return, the firm gets a happy and motivated employee who has developed new skills”. PwC wins our special award for Wellbeing this year. PwC gets a top score for opportunities to learn and grow (a 70% positive result) and last year it spent £22m on training for its 15,919 people — about £1,400 a head. Much of this is internal development and knowledge sharing, which often exploits the latest technology and social media. Employees feel that the firm's proactive attitude is a strength (58%, a top-three ranking). PwC likes to keep avenues of communication open: in 2013 it ran a live virtual conference for 500 new managers to network with board members, colleagues and partners. Another 500 people took part in a social media boot camp, and an internal platform called “One” allows people to share ideas and feedback (with the most popular contributors accruing points and prizes). Nobody is above learning. There's a “digital reverse mentoring programme” to help partners and leaders get social media-savvy by way of one-on-one sessions with technologically switched-on employees. Staff say their jobs are good for personal growth (79%) and secure (74%). PwC is considered to have a strong social conscience (77%) and is supportive of the communities (64%) near its 32 offices nationwide. Last year employees volunteered 45,386 working hours to benefit charitable causes. An initiative called “One firm one May” brought 1,800 people together to run workshops, revamp offices and raise more than £45,000 for 166 social enterprises. PwC also does a lot to protect the environment (73%, ranked fifth). Chairman and senior partner Ian Powell inspires people (70%) with his efforts to “do the right thing for our clients, our people and our communities”, following the company vision. “He always makes time to talk,” a spokesperson says, “and he walks the talk.” www.pwc.com