10 2018 CPAmerica Advantage newsletter

News from Your Accounting Association

CPAmerica Advantage What's the 411?

October 2018

Swink Smith Coplen & Company, P.C. can tell you In an effort to create transparency and strengthen the cohesiveness of the firm, CPAmerica member , with headquarters in St. Louis, Mo., have created what they call 411 meetings. We spoke to Earl Swink, managing

shareholder and leading partner of the firm, to find out more. We started by asking Swink to tell us about the 411 meetings.

Swink began by saying, “Around six or seven years ago, shortly after having a partner retire and a new partner come in, we were getting comments from our staff asking about all the changes in the firm and what their impact would be. At that time, we would

Best of the Best Firms P. 2

have firm-wide meetings maybe Member News P. 3 once or twice a year, and a request came from the ranks saying that A&A Remarks - Art Winstead P. 4 they would really like to know what was going on at the firm more often.

So we asked our staff what kind of information they would like to hear about (in terms of topics and timing) and then we had a contest to decide what to call these meetings. The winning name (the firm at the time was branded just as Swink) was the ‘Swink 411s.’ With the merger with the Smith firm a couple of years ago, we updated that name to simply '411.' They were meant to go over information sharing on a company-wide basis, covering not only the key items going on but also some of the day-to-day items that might be of interest to everyone in the firm. These items included: Which new clients we had landed recently and how we got them; prospects we were looking at; what kind of work were we looking to expand to; our plans to hire new Nov. 2008 - CPAmerica's leading people; upcoming staff retirements; and partners met in Dallas where Bob of McGowen, Hurst, plans for office expansions. The concept McGowen Clark & Smith, P.C., went for a field See 411 Meetings, continued on page 2

goal at the special event at Texas Stadium.

CPAmerica's Next Generation Conference:

The evolution of this event continues with three new modifications designed to help your firm's young professionals learn the skills to succeed.

2019 will mark the sixth year of this dynamic offering. The Next Generation Conference (Next Gen) is an event designed for your firm’s up-and-coming seniors through managers to take control of their careers and thrive. Attendees that wish to increase their understanding of the firm and how they can fit in the bigger picture will be exposed to experts and industry insiders that will teach leadership principles, practice management basics, and relationship-building techniques.

Next Gen has helped scores of attendees learn the intangibles of being a reliable team leader. It takes more than just aptitude to achieve professional expectations – it also takes the effort of cultivating the necessary self-development skills to successfully interface with peers and bosses within the firm, as well as being able to provide tangible solutions

to your clients’ accounting needs.

In 2019, Next Gen will feature a significant change to the agenda format from previous years.

Members will now be able to self-select from two concurrent sessions, Intermediate or Advanced, based on their personal training needs rather than being locked-in to one track as in past years; however, it is strongly recommended that first-time attendees sign up for the Intermediate sessions.

Attendees will need to select their sessions in advance when they register online, as seating will be limited. For questions or information on the new changes, contact Senior Member

Next Gen, continued on page 2

CELEBRATING:

Seven CPAmerica firms recognized as the Best of the Best public accounting firms in the U.S.

by INSIDE Public Accounting Seven CPAmerica International member firms are being recognized for their accomplishments in INSIDE Public Accounting’s 2018 Best of the Best Firms. This group, the highest performers within the profession, are ranked on more than 70 metrics. The 2018 Best of the Best Firms produce superior financial results while planning for long-term, sustainable growth. ”We are excited to congratulate all of our firms who have been recognized,” said Alan Deichler, president of CPAmerica. “The commitment that these firms have made to being great firms and to growth is very impressive.”

CPAmerica congratulates the following firms on their recognition: Frazier & Deeter, LLC, headquartered in Atlanta, Ga., was named to the 2018 Best of the Best Firms for the tenth year in a row. Hughes Pittman & Gupton, LLP, headquartered in Raleigh, N.C., was named to the 2018 Best of the Best Firms for the second year in a row. Robinson, Grimes & Company, P.C., headquartered in Columbus, Ga., was named to the 2018 Best of the Best Firms. Stratagem Certified Public Accountants, headquartered in Lakewood, Colo., was named to the 2018 Best of the Best Firms. Wall Einhorn & Chernitzer P.C., headquartered in Norfolk, Va., was named to the 2018 Best of the Best Firms. GYL Decauwer LLP, headquartered in Ontario, Calif., was named to the 2018 Best of the Best Firms Under $5 Million.

Wheeler Wolfenden & Dwares, CPAs, headquartered in Wilmington, Del., was named to the 2018 Best of the Best Firms Under $5 Million.

Next Gen, continued from front page Services Manager, Jenn Walker, at: jwalker@cpamerica.org We are excited about the new changes to Next Gen and would like to share this testimonial from one of our attending members and incoming president of the Next Gen Committee, Jon Haderlie, senior audit manager with Larson & Company, PC, in Spanish Fork, Utah.

“Working in one of the smaller offices in our firm, I was out of the view and mentoring of the majority of the firm partners.

When my firm invited me to attend Next Gen, I had no idea at the time how it would affect my career. … I was lost and stuck in my role at the firm. The application of the principles and topics taught at Next Gen allowed me to take control of my career and succeed in ways I had always planned on, but didn’t have the skills to execute on my own. I am JON HADERLIE now able to communicate effectively with clients, [I] became a trusted advisor, and I built my own book of business.

The result was recognition by partners in the corporate office and subsequent promotion to partner-in-training (and full partner in the next few months). If you are looking to improve your abilities, expand your circle of influence, and take control of your career, then Next Gen is a conference you need to attend.”

The 2019 Next Generation Conference will take place on May 15-17 at the Konai Kai Resort in San Diego, Calif. To register, go to: https://tinyurl. com/y8tvrw7l

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411 Meetings, continued from front page behind the 411 meetings was based on the old days when you would call 411 on the phone for information. What our team was asking was for our leadership to share more information.

The 411 meetings were designed to share with our people the current activities that were going on in the firm. Over these last few years, we have held the meetings monthly and bi-monthly and have found that holding them once every six weeks seems to be a good interval for our firm. We do ask everyone to attend

Earl Swink on the firm's 411 Meetings:

"When people are aware of what is going on, it makes them feel like they are more a part of the team, more a part of the firm family.” as many of the 411 meetings as possible throughout the year.

"As part of our regular 411 meetings and on top of reporting what is going on with the staff, we quite often will include a fun activity around it. Last year, we held one of our 411 meetings right before the solar eclipse and we had [special eclipse] glasses for everyone and went outside to watch the eclipse. We have also combined other 411 meetings with potluck lunches during the holiday seasons.

"We also have used the 411 concept to share our firm’s goals and results from the year. At the beginning or our fiscal year, which is September through August, we share with our entire firm our scorecard plan, which includes our firm-wide goals and initiatives. The scorecard system we use is from a Harvard Review concept which emphasizes a balanced approach to business goals. In it, we use financial, personnel, operational, and business development as our four quadrants. … In our October 411 meeting, we share our results from the previous year (September- August), with a scorecard review and grading of each quadrant. We have found that sharing our goals and results in this manner has been instrumental in building team strength throughout the firm. We try and keep the meetings at 60 minutes in length.” Swick went on to say that his firm has been holding the 411 meetings for at least the past six years.

The firm also includes civic involvement as one of the items on their scorecard each year. We asked Swink about the types of civic involvement the firm has been involved with this year and in the past. He said, “We have done things like Operation Foodsearch where we donate time and funds to the local food pantry. We just finished one called KidSmart which provides free essential tools for underprivileged students in St. Louis-area schools. We have also participated in the Toys for Tots program around Christmastime. We have also led a blood drive the last three years that includes reaching out to the bank and other businesses in our building and local chamber. The firm tries to

This was part one of two of the 411 Meetings article. Part two will be printed in the next Advantage newsletter.

CELEBRATING:

Member News Robinson, Grimes & Company, P.C. Announces Three New Partners

,a Columbus, Ga.-based accounting firm, announced the continued growth of their firm with the following staff promotions.

Jenna Kaye Favors, CPA, has been promoted to partner of the firm. Favors has been with the firm for 14 years. She graduated from Auburn University with a Master of Accounting and is currently a member of AICPA and the Georgia JENNA FAVORS Society of CPAs, and Phoenix City's Emerging Leaders.

William "Bo" Taber, CPA, has also been promoted to partner.

Taber has been with the firm for seven years. He graduated from Auburn University with degree in finance and earned BO TABER a post-baccalaureate in accounting at Columbus State University.

He serves as: the board chair of the National Civil War Naval Museum, the treasurer of the Columbus Optimist Club, and is a member of AICPA and Georgia Society of CPAs. John Robert Voynich, JOHN VOYNICH CPA, has also been promoted to partner.

Voynich has been with the firm for 11 years. He graduated from the University of Georgia with a master's in accounting and earned a degree in accounting and certificate in servant leadership from Columbus State University. He is a member of AICPA and Georgia Society of CPAs.

Gollob Morgan Peddy anounces merger, promotions at the firm

Tyler, Texas-based member firm , announced today the merger of , with GMP. Shane Rohrbach, managing partner of GMP said, “We’ve been talking with Jerry for some time about a merger ... We believe this merger will be a great fit for Jerry’s clients and his staff. We expect a seamless transition between our companies.”

Nelson's entire staff will be joining the GMP staff. Partner Jerry Nelson says he has no plans to retire just yet. “People have been asking if I plan to retire,” said Nelson. “I enjoy my work and plan to continue, but I will go to the farm a little more often now.”

One of Nelson’s primary specialties is

the construction industry, which will be a great addition to an already strong construction division within GMP. “Our dedication to ... success will not change. By joining GMP, we believe our clients will benefit from the additional resources and expertise from a larger firm,” said Nelson.

GMP also announced several promotions within the firm. Brandon Clark and Paul Douglas Brown have recently been promoted to senior accountant in the Tax Department and Daniel Gamez, CPA, was promoted to a team leader position in the Tax Department.

DMJ partner Winstead honored with Distinguished Service Award by the NCACPA

The Greensboro, N.C.-based accounting firm of , recently announced that Arthur M. Winstead, Jr., CPA, and partner of DMJ, has been selected for the North Carolina Association of CPAs (NCACPA) Distinguished Service Award. Recipients of the award are recognized for their substantial service contributions to charitable, ART WINSTEAD community, civic, and/ or other public service activities.

Winstead has consistently participated in community, charitable, or other civic activities on the local, state, and national level throughout his career. He was recognized and received the award at the NCACPA’s 2018 Recognition Dinner.

Winstead joined DMJ in 1978 and was named a partner in 1984. He is a general services partner in the Greensboro office and is the firm-wide accounting, auditing, and quality control partner. He serves as captain and team member for on-site peer reviews and off-site engagement reviews throughout the country and state of North Carolina. Winstead is the current A&A consultant-director for CPAmerica International.

Nebraska member firm Frankel Zacharia, LLC, announces promotions

, promoted Shari Munro, CPA, to director; Andrew Marsh, CPA, to manager; Will Smith, CPA, Scott Weaver, CPA, and Brent Smith, CPA, to supervisor; and Mitch Hagen, CPA, and Brandy Ritz to senior.

Munro has been employed with Frankel Zacharia for 25 years. A graduate from the University of Nebraska-Omaha, Munro is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and the Nebraska Society of Certified Public Accountants (NESCPA).

Marsh graduated from the University

of Kansas with his BSBA in Accounting.

He has eight years' public accounting experience, joining Frankel Zacharia in 2015. He is a member of the AICPA and the NESCPA. Will Smith graduated from the University of Nebraska Omaha with his BSBA. He has been with Frankel Zacharia since 2014. He is a member of both the AICPA and the NESCPA. Weaver graduated from the University of Nebraska Omaha with his BSBA in Accounting and Finance. He has been with Frankel Zacharia since 2015, after completing multiple internships with the firm. Weaver is a member of the AICPA and the NESCPA. Brent Smith graduated from York College with his BBA. He joined Frankel Zacharia in 2017 with six years of public accounting experience. Smith is a member of the AICPA and the NESCPA. Hagen graduated from Creighton University with his BSBA in Accounting and Financial Analysis. Hagen is a member of the AICPA and the NESCPA. Ritz graduated from Chadron State with her BSBA in Accounting, and from University of Phoenix with her MSA. She joined Frankel Zacharia in 2017 and has four years of public accounting experience. Ritz is a member of the AICPA.

James Donellon elected partner at Gray, Gray & Gray CPAs

James Donellon, CPA, MSA, has been elected a partner at LLP, a certified public accounting and advisory firm based in Canton, Mass.

Donellon joined Gray, Gray & Gray in 2006, and most recently served as a director in the firm’s Client Services Department. He has more than 12 years of experience providing audit services and business consulting for a wide range of clients including manufacturers, distributors, architectural and engineering firms, SaaS companies, and transportation companies. He is also a member of the firm’s Employee Benefit Plan Audits practice group.

“Jim Donellon comes from a family of accountants and his passion for working through complex business issues with clients is evident,” said James DeLeo, leading partner of the firm.

Donellon is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth, and earned his master's in accounting from Northeastern University. He is a member of the AICPA and the Massachusetts Society of Certified Public Accountants, and serves on the board of directors and executive committee of the Neponset Valley Chamber of Commerce and is a member of the Florida Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

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A&A Remarks: Does it Take More Than a CPA? Over t he last few mont hs, t here has be en c on sider able discussion as to what the AICPA is doing in the way of providing cer ta i n credent ia ls (such as the AICPA's ABV designation) to Art Winstead, Director of A&A non-CPAs. And with recent discussion by the AICPA of possibly introducing a “technology pathway” to becoming a CPA, the discussion has gotten more robust and depending on the group you talk to, somewhat heated.

The discussion of allowing access to goods, services and even credentials provided by the AICPA to those that are not CPAs has been going for years. With this in mind, it needs to be recalled in any of these discussions that the opportunity to be an associate member of the AICPA has also existed for many years. These discussions have included the AICPA, NASBA, state societies and associations, and also internal state CPA and accounting regulatory boards.

All parties have raised very valid concerns both for and against the introduction of these topics by the AICPA. Make no mistake about it, for both the time being and, I predict, long into the future, the rules and laws for CPAs will be governed by our individual state governments. The authorization of the use of the CPA title will be governed as to authorization for the use of the CPA title, how CPAs will behave when using the CPA title, and how a CPA can terminate the use of the CPA title either

voluntarily or involuntarily. Considering this, I do question those that believe that the AICPA is cheapening the CPA brand by providing for another pathway for people to become a CPA or by providing credentials for non-CPAs. As a profession, we have to maintain the ability to participate in a multitude of markets and listen to those markets as to what services are needed within them. We have worked hard in developing a wide variety of services that are not encompassed within the traditional CPA service model of compliance services. As we have developed these offerings, other service providers have developed identical service offerings. It seems logical to me that we should welcome designations within the CPA profession that are not necessarily identical or even directly competitive to the services CPA firms have traditionally provided.

as radical. I do believe, and surely most of us believe, that we do need to change and do something to change the current model.

There have been, and will be in the future, a number of scheduled meetings between NASBA and the AICPA with these concepts on the agenda. I believe these discussions will be productive and hopefully a mutually agreeable course of action will be made - one that is also beneficial both to the profession and to those which the profession serves.

While it is easy to say change is a good thing, I also believe that Winston Churchill expressed change in a more demanding way (one that requires us to consider if we believe that these concepts of change are indeed radical) when he said, “For those that do not change their minds, they will not change anything.”

Another market we have kept our focus on is the one made up of professionals that are entering our profession and joining our firms but who do not want to become a CPA, nor need to obtain an ability to practice only within the traditional CPA compliance model. With the demand we have for these professionals and their supply, combined with the market we created for our services and, of course, the demand from those wanting and needing our services, the firm model, relating to member make up, needs to and should change.

Some of us have come to label this as a radical idea or concept. Granted, it is somewhat different, but I do not accept this

CPAmerica Preferred Provider Spotlight: CPAmerica International is proud to welcome ACPEN (Accounting Continuing Professional Education Network) as a new preferred provider for the association. This new relationship gives member firms discounted pricing at the largest CPE network in the United States that provides highly relevant, NASBA accredited, world-class CPE courses for CPAs and financial professionals.

ACPEN has an extensive catalog that consists of more than 175 unique titles ranging in length from one to eight hours presented on multiple dates and times. Courses are developed by experienced presenters, renowned experts, and seasoned practitioners. All ACPEN courses include downloadable written materials for use during and after the course, and live credit is awarded for all Live Webcasts and Live Webcast Replays.

“We are very excited about this partnership with CPAmerica,” said Anne Taylor at ACPEN. “We

Find out more about ACPEN on their website: https://www.acpen.com

look forward to working with CPAmerica and its member firms to meet their educational needs.”

Gainesville, FL 32601 (352) 727-4070 www.cpamerica.org

Send feedback and advantage@cpamerica.org OHM

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