04 2020 CPAmerica Advantage Newsletter

CPAmerica Advantage News From Your Accounting Association

Coronavirus Outbreak Update:

April 2020 28 CPAmerica Members in Forbes P. 2

and support during these challenging times.

Due to the extraordinary recent events, your association, CPAmerica, remains open and ready to provide our members with support and answers to their industry-pertinent questions during the coronavirus outbreak. We have shifted our editorial schedule to better serve you.

As most of our firms have experienced, the pandemic has changed with intense speed the way in which we carry out our work and personal lives. CPAmerica, over just the last 10 days, has gone from a businessas-usual approach to the present condition of staff working remotely.

CPAmerica would like to reassure our members of our commitment to the tenet of “Improving Through Sharing” and remind you of the many offerings available to help your firm during this unique tax season and beyond.

The CPAmerica website (w w w.cpamerica.org) continues to be the primary portal to resources. On the main page, you can start with our newly created COVID-19 Resources box. It is designed to help you navigate the uncertainty associated with the pandemic. Under the CPE & Training tab, we have

Member News P. 3 our Webinar Series and our Sharing Calls covering technology, practice President's Corner - Alan Deichler P. 4 management, human resources, marketing, and tax areas. Under the Services tab, you can access our Discussion Lists and also our Preferred Providers and Consultants.

We are exploring how we might repurpose some of the content of meetings (and possible new initiatives) in a virtual manner. This could include something called the Practice Improvement Circle (PIC). PIC is a program CPAmerica used in the past. It was a conference call of 8-12 firms that shared best practices. We are reviving the concept and adding the new technology of Zoom video calls to share what firms are doing to address the coronavirus crisis (as we can’t meet at this time).

are closed but we are open for business

CPAmerica is very much open for business! From our webpage, www.cpamerica.org, sign in, go to the About tab and click Who We Are to contact by phone or email any of our staff directly.

Or for any other inquiry, email info@cpamerica.org

CPAmerica is looking to revisit how we can accommodate and serve our firms, and as always, all our staff continues to be available to help upon your request.

New Member Snapshot: AbitOs AbitOs 201 Alhambra Circle, Suite 701 Coral Gables, Florida 33134 Tel: (305) 774-2945 | Fax: (305) 774-1504 www.abitos.com

Headquarters: Coral Gables, Florida

Raimundo Lopez Lima Levi | Managing Partner | ray@abitos.com Eric Glinsky | Partner | eric@abitos.com Alberto Guzman | Partner | aguzman@abitos.com Olga Vodolazschi | Partner | ovodolazschi@abitos.com Lourdes Mansour | Firm Administrator | lmansour@abitos.com Lourdes Mansour | HR Director | lmansour@abitos.com Lourdes Mansour | Marketing Director | lmansour@abitos.com Ann Baldwin | IT Network Administrator | abaldwin@abitos.com

AbitOs, headquartered in Coral Gables, Fla., with offices in Aventura, Boca Raton, and Homestead, is a new member of CPAmerica, Inc. AbitOs is a specialized consulting firm focused on providing solutions to complex international tax problems.

They are experts in the areas of structuring, pre-immigration planning, business valuations, fraud and forensic, tax planning and amnesty tax program compliance. The firm is proud of providing their clients big four expertise with a boutique, personalized experience.

Twenty-eight CPAmerica member firms are being recognized for their accomplishments in Forbes America’s Top Recommended Tax and Accounting Firms

CPAmerica and Surgent CPA Review Award 2020 Scholarships to CPAmerica Members

CPAmerica congratulates the following member firms on their recognition: Aldrich Group, headquartered in Salem, Ore.; Aldridge Borden & Company, headquartered in Montgomery, Ala.; Anglin Reichmann Armstrong, P.C., headquartered in Huntsville, Ala.; Beasley, Mitchell & Co., LLP, headquartered in Las Cruces, N.M.; Brickley DeLong, PC, headquartered in Muskegon, Mich.; Brock, Schechter & Polakoff, LLP, headquartered in Buffalo, N.Y.; Cg Tax, Audit & Advisory, headquartered in Toms River, N.J.; Cooper Norman CPAs & Business Advisors, headquartered in Idaho Falls, Idaho; Coulter & Justus, P.C., headquartered in Knoxville, Tenn.; CS&L CPAs, headquartered in Bradenton, Fla.; Dennis, Gartland & Niergarth, headquartered in Traverse City, Mich.; DMJ & Co., PLLC, headquartered in Greensboro, N.C.; EFPR Group, LLP, headquartered in Rochester, N.Y.; Erickson Brown & Kloster, P.C., headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colo.; Frazier & Deeter, LLC, headquartered in Atlanta, Ga.; Gollob Morgan Peddy PC, headquartered in Tyler, Texas; Gray, Gray & Gray, LLP, headquartered in Canton, Mass.; GRF CPAs & Advisors, headquartered in Bethesda, Md.; Harper & Whitfield, P.C., headquartered in Farmington, Conn.; JamisonMoneyFarmer PC, headquartered in Tuscaloosa, Ala.; Matthews, Cutrer & Lindsay, P.A., headquartered in Ridgeland, Miss.; Maxwell Locke & Ritter LLP, headquartered in Austin, Texas; Nail McKinney P A, headquartered in Tupelo, Miss.; Robinson, Grimes & Company, P.C., headquartered in Columbus, Ga.; RTBH Certified Public Accountants, headquartered in Mobile, Ala.; SME CPAs, headquartered in Augusta, Ga.; Thomas Howell Ferguson, P.A., headquartered in Tallahassee, Fla.; and Whaley Hammonds Tomasello Accountants & Advisors, headquartered in McDonough, Ga. To see the full listing, please visit: https://www.forbes.com/besttax-firms/#3804720424bd

Pulakos CPAs Celebrates 60 Years in New Mexico Established in 1960, member firm Pulakos CPAs, PC, a locally-owned accounting firm specializing in tax, audit and comprehensive business advisory services, is celebrating 60 years of service to businesses, individuals and organizations in New Mexico.

Pulakos CPAs' Managing Shareholder, Brad Steward, CPA, CCIFP, commented on what the community can expect from the firm over the next 60 years: "Pulakos CPAs' longevity is the direct result of our professional team's ability to help our clients navigate the impacts of the everincreasing pace of economic, market and technology changes.

Our team of CPAs has always been known as talented business advisors who are also outstanding accountants. As the pace of change increases exponentially in this new economy, our professionals will continue on the leading edges of strategy and innovation."

The firm will culminate its anniversary celebrations by hosting National Green Chile Cheeseburger Day in the fall of 2020.

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CPAmerica is continuing its partnership with preferred provider Surgent CPA Review by awarding 2020 scholarships for Surgent’s CPA Review Course to CPAmerica members. This partnership began in 2019 when three Surgent scholarships were awarded to CPAmerica members.

Surgent’s Premier Pass course was named a Top New Professional Education Product by Accounting Today.

The following CPAmerica members will receive Surgent’s CPA Review scholarships: • Matt Chisholm, staff accountant at • Lauren Rothrock, staff accountant at • Ryan Stigen, senior consultant at “I am honored and grateful for this opportunity that will have a vital role in helping me reach my professional goals and dreams,” said Matt Chisholm. “I look forward to the journey that is to come.”

CPAmerica and Surgent CPA Review will reopen applications for these scholarships on December 1, 2020. Current CPAmerica members who are planning to sit for the CPA exam are encouraged to apply. More information on Surgent CPA Review offerings for CPAmerica members can be found here: https://bit.ly/3a4qJUs.

Frazier & Deeter, Nationally Ranked U.S. Accounting and Advisory Firm, Acquires Consulting Firm , one of the largest public accounting and advisory firms in the U.S., announced today the expansion of its services via the acquisition of boutique consulting firm . Arch + Tower offers a variety of consulting services focused on customer experience, employee experience, and operational excellence.

“Expanding our advisory services to encompass customer experience and employee experience builds on our reputation for investing in relationships with our clients and our people,” noted Seth McDaniel, Managing Partner of Frazier & Deeter.

Frazier & Deeter has added three partners as part of this merger. John Hightower, the CEO of Arch + Tower, will continue to serve in that role as Arch + Tower joins the FD family of brands. Chris Green will be a partner, as will Ryan Lahm.

Member News Harleysville, Pa. firm announces promotions , the Harleysville, Pa.-based accounting and business advisory firm, has announced that Ayanna Weaver, CPA has been promoted to supervisor and Josh Lerch, CPA to senior accountant. Weaver joined the firm in 2015 after graduating from Temple University. She resides with her family in Souderton. Lerch graduated from Lycoming College earning his bachelor's in accounting and currently lives in Boyertown.

Gray, Gray & Gray, LLP announces new partner, director

Tom Yuen, CPA, MST, has been elected a partner at member firm , based in Canton, Ma. Yuen had previously served as a director in the firm’s Tax Department. He oversees strategic tax planning for a wide range of clients on the federal, state and local level.

Yuen joined the firm in 2005 after holding positions with the Massachusetts State Auditor’s Office and as a pricing analyst. He is a graduate of Bentley University, where he earned both his bachelor's and master's in taxation.

He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and the Massachusetts Society of Certified Public Accountants (MSCPA).

It was also announced that Bryan Pearce has joined the firm as director of a newly formed Strategic Business Planning Practice Group. Pearce leads a team of authoritative professionals from across a range of disciplines to assist clients seeking to develop intentional growth strategies for their business.

Pearce is the co-author of “Daring to Compete” (John Wiley & Sons) which identifies eight traits of successful entrepreneurs.

Treise receives Cape Coral Community Foundation 2020 Power Player Professional Advisor Award P.A., Certified Public Accountants and Consultants, announced that firm shareholder Linda M. Treise, CPA, Linda Treise received a 2020 Power Player Professional Advisor Award from the South Florida CEO Network, an initiative of the Cape Coral Community Foundation. The awards were presented at a reception in Fort Myers, Fla. Six distinguished southwest Florida professional advisors in the areas of banking, estate planning, finance, accounting, real estate and insurance were recognized for performing their duties with integrity and making a substantial impact in southwest Florida.

THF congratulates Yuhas and Gregory for receiving their CPA license (THF), headquartered in Tallahassee, Fla., congratulates Mike Yuhas and Lindsey Gregory for receiving their CPA license.

Yuhas received his bachelor’s in international business from Westminster College and his master's of accounting in taxation from Florida State University.

He works as a staff accountant in the Tax Services Department.

Gregory received her bachelor’s in accounting and master’s in accounting and taxation from Florida State University.

She works as a staff accountant in the Assurance Services Department.

GRF celebrates strategic partnership with the NC State ERM Initiative

Member firm (GRF) is celebrating their second year of partnership with North Carolina State University’s (NC State) Poole College of Management Enterprise Risk Management Initiative. The collaboration offers nonprofit organizations combined academic and industry expertise in risk management tailored specifically to taxexempt organizations. GRF’s partnership with NC State complements the growth of the firm’s Risk & Advisory Services practice as it focuses on providing comprehensive business management solutions to nonprofit clients.

The partnership includes the annual Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) in Nonprofit Organizations workshop scheduled for October in Raleigh, N.C. The workshop is a two-day, high-level program designed to provide tools and hands-on training for individuals leading ERM efforts at nonprofits. The agenda offers participants a unique learning opportunity featuring real-world illustrations of ERM implementation paired with interactive discussion sessions for sharing challenges and best practices. In addition to reinforcing the fundamental elements and objectives of ERM as well as its strategic value, the workshop also allows participating organizations to benchmark their ERM practices relative to peers and best in class ERM programs.

To complement the 2-day program, GRF will also hold regional, 1-day workshops in 2020 for localized nonprofit peer-to-peer learning and networking opportunities.

Interested ERM professionals and nonprofit leaders can find dates and information for nominating their region on the firm’s Enterprise Risk Management in Nonprofit Organizations page. A summary of the 2019 Enterprise Risk Management for Nonprofits Workshop is also available.

In addition to the ERM workshops, GRF

is speaking to several industry groups in 2020 and recently published a whitepaper on ERM best practices for nonprofit organizations.

Widmer Roel hires Hashbarger as senior audit manager

Craig Hashbarger has joined as a senior audit manager, assisting the Audit Department. He provides audit, accounting and consulting services to a wide range of clients.

Hashbarger previously worked for Widmer Roel from 2008-2015 and has 15 years of experience. In addition to his years of experience with Widmer Roel, he previously worked at the North Dakota State Auditor’s Office where he led the team responsible for audits of North Dakota’s local governments and developed and led the team that conducts performance audits of the North Dakota University System.

Hashbarger is a native of Hope, N.D., and earned a bachelor’s from the University of North Dakota.

Gray, Gray, & Gray ranked among top Massachusetts accounting firms Canton, Mass.-based member firm, , has held its position as the 21st largest accounting firm in Massachusetts, as ranked by the Boston Business Journal. The publication’s annual rankings, which were released last month, are based on the size of the firm’s professional staff in the state and include both independent firms and regional offices of large national accounting firms.

Gray, Gray & Gray, LLP ranks 10th among independent firms in the state.

EFPR Group announces new director

Rochester, N.Y.-based, LLP, announced Kara Cline, CPA, has been hired as a new director in the Tax and Business Services Division. She will support the commercial tax consulting practice area.

Cline has more than 13 years of experience working with owners and management of closely held businesses across upstate New York, performing income tax planning, compliance, and advisory services to partnerships, limited liability companies, S and C corporations and the owners associated with these businesses.

She has expertise in many areas of industry including manufacturing, hospitality, distribution, retail, nonprofit, businesses services, and professional services. She also works closely with high wealth individuals relative to tax planning.

Cline is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and she received her bachelor's in accounting from LeMoyne College.

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President's Corner: Resources in this time of crisis The world has changed dramatically and despite all the wishes and prayers for an answer to when the outbreak is going to end, we don’t know. We have to look for the bright side.

First, despite not knowing when it will end, we know Alan Deichler it will. Second, and this is President for the more “experienced” of us, imagine if this were the 90s and we had all been sent home. There would be little (if any) internet, no video meeting software, no cloud computing, and non-smart cellphones with very expensive pricing plans. If this had to happen, I sure am glad to have our current technology to stay somewhat connected!

CPAmerica is a sharing organization, and there is a lot to share right now. If you don’t have a password for the CPAmerica site, you should get one and watch the questions and answers on one of the 15 discussion lists that is relevant to your position in the firm. If you have the expertise to contribute, please do, but if you don’t, that’s fine as it’s an excellent place to see what is being exchanged. The system will tell you when a question or answer has been submitted.

Our scheduled webinars covering both Audit and Tax are going to be more important than ever. The dates and topics, along with registration information, is on our site. We will be keeping a sharp eye for other topics

for webinars and sharing calls including best practices that our firms are implementing in this crisis.

One consultant’s message was something close to: “What we do in this time will define us for the future.” This is something to keep in mind as we proceed.

CPAmerica is working with some of its preferred providers – Wolters Kluwer, ACPEN, and Surgent, to name a few, as well as retained experts such as Randy Johnston and Jordan Goodman, who participate and monitor the discussion lists. Our Consultant/Director of A&A, Art Winstead, is spending a lot of time with members and he is supporting them with audit practice suggestions and by leading the A&A discussion list. We’ve also passed along tax information updates on the crisis from CCH and timely webinars from ACPEN and Surgent.

CPAmerica staff members are, for the most part, working from home, and on a call this morning, CPAmerica Vice President of Services, Grace Horvath, told the team that we needed to be prepared for disappointments this year. We are going to lose some projects that we worked hard on putting together. Events, ones that we took great care and pains to coordinate, aren’t going to happen. We are going to toil in the next few weeks and months, but the return on our work efforts, while maybe not evident at the moment, will come back to us manyfold.

I read a couple of blogs and advertising pieces from industry consultants this afternoon. One in particular struck with me.

Contact us at: 7555 W. University Ave. Gainesville, FL 32607 (352) 727-4070 www.cpamerica.org

Preferred Provider Spotlight: Wolters Kluwer COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Resources for Tax & Accounting Professionals As you navigate the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic across your business and with your clients, Wolters Kluwer is right by your side to help you stay up to date with tax and compliance changes and support your ability to work remotely. We will continually add resources as they become available. Sign up for email updates and follow us on social for the latest.

For more information visit our CPAmerica preferred provider page (see below) or visit the Wolters Kluwer website: https://taxna.wolterskluwer.com/coronavirus-covid-19

For more information, visit our CPAmerica preferred provider page (www.cpamerica > Services > Preferred Providers) or contact Tammy Nichols at tammy.nickels@ wolterskluwer.com

Send feedback and advantage@cpamerica.org

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