CORPORATE CORNER

In January, Kerkering, Barberio & Co. welcomed three new shareholders to their leadership team—Kathleen Martin, CPA; Ashley Salter, CPA; and Erin Hentrich, CPA. The firm is majority woman-owned and has been named the Best Public Accounting Firm for Women and for Equity Leadership by the Accounting MOVE Project for the past eight years.

Q.What’s most exciting about the accounting industry today?

We really can help business owners and people make the best decisions possible when it comes to their finances and taxes. Being on the front line, we’re often the first people who are finding out about upcoming business decisions and potential situations and work collaboratively with our clients to guide and advise them. That’s exciting!

-Kathleen Martin, CPA

Q: How is the Sarasota community good for business owners?

I’m a Sarasota native and there’s a reason I never left. We’ve got so many nonprofits in the area and it’s clear that the people of Sarasota are committed to making it a better place. It’s also the ‘small big city’ feel that makes our community a great place to live and work. It’s easy to build connections and word of mouth through relationships.

-Ashley Salter, CPA

Q: What’s one thing a business owner can do to strengthen their relationship with their accountant?

Communication is key to maintaining a strong relationship with your CPA. We love to be proactive rather than reactive. Share your 1-year, 5-year and longer business plans so we can work with you to achieve them, either through building out a great team of professionals (accounting, insurance, wealth management, etc.) to support you or by working with you on tax planning and strategies, or succession planning.

-Erin Hentrich, CPA

Learn how your organization could be featured in our Corporate Corner!

Contact Zach Henkel, zhenkel@sarasotachamber.com

Impact:

Member News

All Faiths Food Bank Helps Students Thrive through School Pantry Program

“The School Pantry Program, part of the food bank’s Children & Families initiative, helps set up food pantries that are conveniently located on-site at schools for families of students in need. The pantries complement school breakfast and lunch programs, providing access to food for children and their families after the school day has ended.”

JFCS of the Suncoast Kicking Off Eighth Annual Book Drive

“Each year, JFCS collects and distributes nearly 4,000 new books to promote literacy among local children in pre-K through Grade 5, with special emphasis on low-income and at-risk families. Books are also given to infants and toddlers, as well as older children in middle and high school.”

Grants:

Wilson-Wood Foundation Grant Supports Independent Living Program for Visually Impaired

“Lighthouse recently received a generous grant from the Wilson-Wood Foundation for the organization’s Independent Living Program. The $10,000 grant will help further support individuals experiencing vision loss, right here in our own community. ”

Goodwill Awarded Second USAA Grant to Support Career Services

“In an effort to better provide career enhancing training and employment placement services to Black and Hispanic veterans and military spouses, United Services Automobile Association (USAA) awarded a grant to Goodwill Industries International through an effort called “Operation Achieve.” Goodwill Manasota was one of the sub-grantees for Operation Achieve, receiving $155,000 in October of 2021 to serve Black and Hispanic veterans and military spouses.”

Community:

Second Heart Homes Receives Donation from 100 Women Who Care- Greater Sarasota for Services to Care for Homeless Adults with Mental Health Conditions

“The local chapter of 100 Women Who Care employs the organization’s novel system: Members see and hear presentations from charities, three of which are selected as finalists who then vie for donations. Following Second Heart Homes’ fourth attempt, each member of “100 Women” contributed $100 toward the total. Second Heart Homes also will receive a $5,000 matching grant by the Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation, resulting in a total of $26,500.””

Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota and DeSoto Counties Opens Summer Program Registration

“ Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota and DeSoto Counties has opened its online application for summer programs. Youth ages 6 to 18 are invited to apply for the 2023 Great Futures Academy Summer Program. Youth, who participate in the program will have access to positive adult mentors and opportunities that encourage academic excellence, leadership development, healthy habits and success after high school graduation.”

Read more of our member news and the amazing impact they are making in the community by heading over to sarasotachamber.com