CARY, NC — Fortune magazine is out with its ninth annual "100 Best Companies to Work For" list, and for the ninth straight time SAS made the list.

SAS came in 30th.

Why? One major reason is benefits.

"This software developer offers fantastic benefits: 100% of health-insurance premiums, child care that costs just $300 a month, three weeks of vacation after one year, unlimited sick leave, and an onsite medical facility," Fortune said.

SAS was also recognized for its child care program and was cited for health care and work-life balance issues.

"We are very pleased to once again be named to the list," said Jeff Chambers, SAS vice president of human resources. "At SAS, we have maintained the high quality of our employee-friendly workplace, while adding innovative programs that fit our business model - an approach that has led to 30 years of sustained success."

SAS opened a new health care center, work-life center and employee services facility last summer.

Genetech, a California-based drug company, placed first on the list.

Also making the list from North Carolina was Kimley-Horn & Associates, an employee-owned engineering firm based in Cary. The company ranked 20th after finishing 46th on the 2004 list.

Six Georgia firms cracked the list. They were: HomeBanc Mortgage (14th); law firm Alston & Bird (19th); AFLAC (47th); Synous (57th); Memorial Health (62nd); and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta (76th).

The lone South Carolina representative was Miliken, a textiles firm, which ranked 38th.

Two high-tech firms with a major presence in North Carolina also made the list. Cisco finished 25th; Network Appliance ranked 27th.