Awards and Recognition
Association of Washington Business (AWB)
2010 Better Workplace Award Winner in the category of “Job Training & Advancement” (101 – 250 employees)
“Employee development has always been a central focus of Check Masters, a family-owned company that is celebrating 20 years in business. Founder Kevin McCarthy believes that generosity and exceptional treatment of employees models how he expects employees to treat the company’s customers. With only a few exceptions, the employees who make up the company’s management and executive teams started in entry-level positions and were developed and promoted into their current positions. Employee development begins with a three-day orientation for new hires and continues with seminars, time spent at the corporate office and monthly meetings. Over the last few years, books have been provided to managers – and often to new employees – so employees can learn together. The company’s executive team has a monthly consultant and coach work with [them] to become more effective leaders, and district managers regularly work with store managers in one-to-one meetings.”
2009 Better Workplace Award Winner in the category of “Innovative Benefit & Compensation Programs” (101 – 250 employees)
“McCarthy Finance is a family-owned business. A feeling of family and interdependence influences the way employees are treated. Among the benefits enjoyed by McCarthy employees are two options for medical dental, and vision coverage; insurance coverage, including half of child coverage paid by the employer; employer-paid life insurance of 420,000 with an option to buy more; voluntary supplemental insurance through Aflac; 401 (k) offered after one year of employment; seven paid holidays per year plus paid birthday along with any hours worked on Christmas or Christmas Eve at time and one half; paid time off, employee referral bonuses, monthly food and beverage allowances, $1,000 paid trips on first anniversary of employment and 2,500 paid on 10th anniversary; company paid bus passes; and fun-filled company events are among the company’s other benefits. No wonder McCarthy received NW Jobs.com People’s Picks ’08 Awards in the categories of best benefits and most unusual perks.”
2009 Community Service Award Winner in the category of “Youth Organizations”
“McCarthy Finance, Inc., doing business as Check Masters, prides itself on contributing to the community and encourages its 140 employees to do the same. Check Masters has been a supporter of the Seattle-based children’s charity Rise n’ Shine for 20 years. Rise n’ Shine provides children who are affected by HIV and AIDS with support groups, counseling and summer camp. Check Masters supports Rise n’ Shine both through corporate donations and by encouraging employee involvement with the organization. One way that employees helped was by volunteering to be “jailed” for the charity’s annual “Big Bail Out” event. The company also keeps Rise n’ Shine coin boxes in its lobbies. Check Masters also works with the Sno-King Youth Club, selling tennis balls at its stores to raise money for the club, and employees volunteer their time to help with sports clinics put on for children. Check Masters has also partnered with the YMCA and pledged $60,000 to help fund the new Dale Turner YMCA facility in Shoreline.
NWJOBS.COM
People’s Picks ’09 Award Winner in the small company category of “Most Unusual Perks”
People’s Picks ’09 Finalist in the small company category of “Best Benefits” and “Favorite Seattle-area company”
People’s Picks ’08 Award winner in the small company category of “Best Benefits and “Most Unusual Perks”
People’s Picks ’08 Finalist in the small company category of “Favorite Office Party,” “Favorite Seattle-area Company” and “Most Family-Friendly Company”
Charitable Support and Contributions
Rise n’ Shine - Since 1988, Rise n' Shine has provided emotional support programs, stability, advocacy, and AIDS education for children and teens affected by HIV and AIDS. This includes children and teens who have been orphaned by the disease, children and teens who live with a parent or other close family member with HIV or AIDS, and those who are infected themselves. We at Check Masters have been a strong supporter of Rise n’ Shine since 1989.
Sno-King Youth Club - Sno-King Youth Club provides team sports to children of Snohomish and King Counties. Children are taught the fundamentals and skills of their sport, an understanding of teamwork, communication, and good sportsmanship. Since 2000, Check Masters has supported Sno-King Youth Club. In 2008, we were named “Gold Sponsor” for their annual “Running of the Balls” event.
Detlef Schrempf Foundation -The Detlef Schrempf Foundation is committed to supporting organizations that provide hope, care and assistance for children and families in the Northwest. Check Masters was a sponsor of the Detlef Schrempf Foundation since 1995.
YMCA of Greater Seattle - For more than 130 years, the YMCA of Greater Seattle has provided safe and caring environments, positive role models, creative activities and opportunities to serve the needs of others. These are the essential building blocks for strong kids, strong families and strong communities. In 2008, Check Masters was a major supporter and sponsor of the building for the “Dale Turner Family YMCA” in Shoreline. As a result, the changing room at this building was named after Check Masters.
Latino Education Alliance - The Latino Education Alliance was established in 1995 by community members who were concerned with the rising dropout rate of Latino students in the Tacoma Public School District. In 2002, LEA started an annual scholarship fund. The fund is supported by community members and local businesses. Since 2002, 25 students have been awarded $750 scholarships, 8 of whom were able to renew the scholarship a second year for a total of 33 paid scholarships.
The Association of Washington State Hispanic Chambers of Commerce - The Association of Washington State Hispanic Chambers of Commerce (AWSHCC) is a non-profit corporation created to serve as a statewide Hispanic business organization representing the interests of local Hispanic Chambers of Commerce and their members throughout Washington State. Check Masters joined the AWSHCC to help promote the growth of Hispanic businesses in Washington State.
Boy Scouts of America - The Futbol-Soccer Scouting program is part of the Boy Scouts of America. This family-oriented program reaches out to Hispanic/Latino boys and girls from kindergarten through 12th grade and is held over the course of two 10 week seasons. In this program, children learn the life-long values taught in the Scouting program and, at the same time learn soccer skills while participating in an exciting and competitive sport. The program combines the experience of learning good sportsmanship while participating in an activity which teaches good citizenship, character building, morals and the values which are taught in the Scouting program. In 2009, Check Masters became a supporter of this valued and needed community service.
Crescendo Artistic Environment School - Crescendo Artistic Environment is a Non-Profit school that offers a unique, artistic and accredited preschool and pre-kindergarten program. All services are provided in an environment where children can learn skills such as: reading, writing, counting and be ready for first grade. Also, they work hard to encourage playing, writing music, dancing, drumming and singing. The ultimate goal is to introduce children to a better understanding of our world, cultures and who they really are through geology, geography, yoga, basic elements of the crane in martial arts and breathing through visual arts. In 2008, Check Masters funded their application for Federal Non-Profit Status.
Ernest I. J. Aguilar Scholarship Fund - 2007 through 2009, Check Masters was a Gold Sponsor of the Ernest I. J. Aguilar Scholarship Fund at the University of Washington Business School. This scholarship fund financially supports Latino students who are receiving their Masters in Business Administration at the UW Foster School of Business. The scholarship also honors an incredible leader in the state of Washington.
In addition to the organizations listed above, Check Masters has donated to the following organizations:
• Brighton School
• Congressional Youth
• DIFFA (Design Industry Foundation Fighting AIDS)
• Eastside Domestic Violence Program annual auction
• Evergreen Soccer
• Junior Achievement of Washington
• Middlebury College
• National Multiple Sclerosis Society
• Roses & Rosemary (helping HIV-positive orphans of Africa)
• Seattle Seafair Pirates
• Stand Up to Cancer
• STG Fundraising (Paramount Theatre)
• Underdog Sports League
• University of Washington Foster School of Business
Check Masters is local. We are part of and care about the community we live in. Since the legislative changes to the payday lending industry were implemented in January 2010 (see our “Industry Information page”) we have been unable to provide financial support in the manner we have in the past. While we may not have the financial means to donate at the same levels we have in the past, we continue to provide support through donations of time as volunteers. Helping the community is one of Check Masters’ core values and when we are in a position to give again, will be generous to our friends and neighbors.