Top Company 2022: Financial Services

Congratulations to Canvas Credit Union, CBIZ and Transworld Business Advisors of Colorado for providing the best Financial Services in Colorado!

ColoradoBiz Staff //October 4, 2022//

Top Company 2022: Financial Services

Congratulations to Canvas Credit Union, CBIZ and Transworld Business Advisors of Colorado for providing the best Financial Services in Colorado!

ColoradoBiz Staff //October 4, 2022//

The outpouring of applications for this year’s Top Company awards is a testament to the resilience and adaptability of enterprises that do business in the state. Applications for the 35th annual awards numbered in the hundreds, and it was particularly encouraging to see so many companies rebounding from two years of COVID restrictions, with most posting revenue and employee gains approaching—and in some cases, exceeding—pre-pandemic numbers.

This year’s Top Company winners and finalists represent 13 industry categories, plus a startup category for companies in business less than four years. Entrants were judged on three criteria: outstanding achievement, financial performance and community involvement. The judging panel was made up of ColoradoBiz magazine’s editorial board and two representatives from the business community.

Winner — Canvas Credit Union

Lone Tree

Canvas Credit Union has served Colorado communities for more than 84 years. Its 33 branches provide a full array of financial products and services, including savings, checking, loans, mortgages and online and mobile options. 

The company established the Canvas Foundation in 2016 to provide greater focus and giving to its community efforts. The foundation’s unpaid board is made up of Canvas employees and volunteers who are committed to the mission of the foundation, which has supported 54 organizations, volunteered more than 3,000 hours and invested more than $185,00 in the community. 

“Community is core to who we are at Canvas and an element of our work we care deeply about as part of our cooperative finance model,” said Trey Marksberry, Canvas’s director of immersive experiences. “We focus on critical  causes surrounding schools, families, military and first responders.” 

Much of its community support includes the credit union’s multiple Canvas Scholarships programs, which resulted in $47,000 in scholarships last year to Colorado State University students and high school students throughout the Front Range. Through a new partnership with CSU Pueblo, it will grant $500,000 in scholarships over the next five years to students in Southern Colorado.  

“Guided by our passion for fostering financial success at the outset of a student’s journey, we also focus heavily on providing financial education options in schools and communities,” Marksberry said. “Canvas’ financial scholars program provides free financial literacy seminars in Colorado public and charter high schools.”

Finalist — CBIZ

Independence, Ohio

CBIZ is a $1.1 billion publicly traded company with 125 offices and nearly 6,000 employees in major metropolitan cities and suburban areas throughout the United States. The company’s Denver office is comprised of several business entities that provide employee benefits, payroll, accounting and executive recruiting services.  

The company’s mission, vision and values reflect two basic principles: treat employees right and treat clients right.  

“We know that if we treat our people right, that spirit will translate into them providing best-in-class service to our clients,” said Laura Osvald, the company’s senior marketing manager. “And by treating our clients to this type of service, our people will be engaged and inspired and grow both personally and professionally.” 

CBIZ is committed to organizing volunteer events and activities for the office, and its employees are given five hours of paid time off to volunteer with co-workers in their local communities.  

Activities from the past year include a national annual food drive with inter-office competitions; volunteering at Denver Dumb Friends League at the Furry Scurry walk/run to raise funds for the animal shelter; helping with setup for the Denver Pride Festival; and sponsoring the annual campaign to benefit Dress for Success.  

Finalist — Transworld Business Advisors of Colorado

Greenwood Village

Team Photo
Transworld Business Advisors of Colorado team photo

Transworld Business Advisors CEO Jessica Fialkovich started the company after selling her own business and thinking the process could be improved.  

Transworld provides customers with easy ways to view businesses, sign contracts and work collaboratively with brokers on buying, selling and growing their small businesses. It serves business owners in Colorado, Wyoming, New Mexico and Texas.  

The company focuses on three core concepts: business brokerage, franchise consulting and franchise development. Its services include business consulting, analysis and pricing, development of custom marketing strategies, buyer search and qualification, deal structuring and negotiations, help with pre-closing items, due diligence management and closing and transaction activities.  

Transworld’s brokers are trained to ensure entrepreneurs receive the most timely and pertinent advice to make informed decisions about their business and strategic goals. Its current focus is addressing client needs resulting from the baby boomer seller tsunami that’s occuring as that generation of business owners is exiting the workforce. 

“Beyond the transaction, we offer extensive education and resources to help business owners develop and execute strategic plans for the future of their company, including a preparation to sell program,” said Matthew Stengel, Transworld’s marketing manager. “This program aids owners in identifying areas to add value to their business and guides them through the process so they can attain the maximum return on their investment.”