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CPAmerica Advantage News From Your Accounting Association

Firm Leaders Come Together at the 2021 Leading Partners Retreat in Park City, Utah What do you get when you combine perfect weather, the natural scenic beauty of the mountains of Utah, and an agenda loaded with industry-leading speakers? You get the 2021 CPAmerica Leading Partners Retreat (LPR). Meeting in Park City, Utah, this September 21-24 at the Stein Eriksen Lodge, LPR is sure to provide an ideal backdrop for interactive member sharing and networking opportunities. Conveniently located, the lodge is just over 30 miles east of Salt Lake City and is nestled by the rugged Wasatch Range. This locale is also home to Utah Olympic Park, where the 2002 Winter Olympics were held. The A view of downtown downtown area is flanked with Park City Silver Rush-era edifices dating from the 19th century and is perfect for shopping, strolling and dining once the day’s meetings are through. Photo curtesy of Visit Park City

CPAmerica takes into consideration the entire conference experience in order to present members with a rich, relaxed environment for attendees to soak up ideas to

bring back to their firms and grow from.

August 2021 P. 2 Member News P. 3 From CPAConnect - D'Yãn Davis P. 4 Wade named managing partner

This year’s event will be taking place at the Stein Eriksen Lodge Deer Valley, identified worldwide as a foremost luxury ski hotel (although LPR will not be held during ski season, the weather history for this time of year shows an average high of 66°F during the day and low of 37°F). Nestled mid-mountain at Deer Valley Resort, Stein Eriksen Lodge offers an extraordinary blend of modern meeting space, the finest amenities, and secluded alpine charm with a reputation for service and attention to detail. This is the perfect destination for distinctive meetings, such as our Leading Partners Retreat, in Park City. Also, Photo curtesy of Visit Park City for attendees not driving, Scenic Park City, Utah, will be the site of Snow Country Limousine is the 2021 Leading Partners Retreat offering our group 10% off of their pick-up/drop-off service at the Salt Lake City Airport to the Stein Eriksen Lodge (about a 45-minute drive each way). Please use the code "CPA" when reserving on-line. The real strength of this year’s LPR is its deep lineup of See LPR, continued on page 2

The Potential Changes in Washington, D.C., Make This Year’s Tax Conference More Important Than Ever Our members are closely following the proposed infrastructure plan and how it will affect their clients’ business and personal taxes. The city of Denver will play host to this CPAmerica looks year's Tax Conference in November to assist our firms with these possible tax changes by offering the chance to attend our Tax Conference this November.

attendees can take a deep dive and see how their peers are planning to deal with the potential tax changes. Members can also explore benchmark tax topics that are designed to give attendees a balanced overview. Topics at the meeting will address: interesting issues involving S Corporations and Basis; how 2021 will affect you from a SALT perspective; the role of various types of trusts used in contemporary estate planning, from QTIPs and SLATs to ILITs and GRATs; CPA firm tax technology strategies; international tax; how to build a truly progressive, talentforward firm; and tax fraud.

A main benefit of the conference will be in all the member sharing and breakout sessions with speakers, where

To find out more, please go to www.cpamerica.org > Events > Conferences & Meetings > 2021 Tax Conference.

Deanna Olton, CPA, named partner with Antares Group, Inc. Conyers, Ga.-based member firm, Antares Group, Inc., recently announced that Deanna Olton, CPA, has been promoted to partner with the firm. Olton has been with Antares Group, Inc., for 17 years and most recently served as director of the Business and Tax Advisory Group. “The promotion of Deanna to partner marks an Deanna Olton exciting milestone in her career and for our firm,” said Mark Kashgegian, CPA, leading partner of Antares Group, Inc. “Deanna has a depth of experience and enthusiasm for our team members and our clients that is valuable to the continued growth of our firm.” Olton specializes in business consulting, financial analysis, business valuations, tax compliance and people development. She obtained her bachelor’s in accounting from Hunter College in New York, a Master of Business Administration from the New York Institute of Technology and a Doctor of Business Administration from Argosy University in Atlanta. Olton resides in Covington, Ga., and is an active member of many professional and charitable organizations, including the Georgia Society of CPAs, the American Institute of CPAs and the National Association of Black Accountants. “I am honored and thrilled to be a part of the team of partners at the Antares Group. We have been blessed with a great, hardworking group that provides excellent service to our clients,” said Olton. LPR, continued from page 1 distinguished speakers that will be presenting to the attendees. Speakers include: Barry C. Melancon, CPA, CGMA, president and CEO of the AICPA, the most influential body of professional accountants in the world with 650,000 members and students; Sam Allred, founder and director of Upstream Academy, a consultancy of passionate advisors who design processes, tools, and programs to help firms achieve greater success; Martin Carbone, senior managing partner with Catch up with your peers and learn best

and sessions from influential industry leaders. We are very eager to see you again amid the beautiful natural surroundings of Park City and the elegant Stein Eriksen Lodge this September at the LPR or FMR. It will be a great opportunity for you to learn and catch up with your peers.

SME CPAs announces Wade as managing partner SME CPAs, a top 400 U.S. accounting firm, is proud to announce that Paul Wade, CPA will serve as SME CPAs’ next managing partner. Wade, who joined the firm in 2003, was promoted to partner in 2009 after only The 2021 Tax Conference six years with the firm. He Meets This November 7-10 Paul Wade In Denver has helped grow our tax team and a multitude of services. Paul succeeds Rick Evans who was SME CPAs’ Managing Partner for 9 years. “Paul has been an integral part of the Attend the 2021 Tax Conference firm’s success for almost two decades and enjoy the Four Seasons and is committed to the success of our Hotel Denver, one mile above clients and employees.” said Evans. sea level in the city's laid back metropolis. Join your fellow Rick will continue to serve as a full-time tax professionals for a blend of client service partner with the firm. industry updates from experts in Wade has more than 18 years of the field and member-sharing. experience servicing businesses, For more details or to register, go private enterprise, and high-net- to https://tinyurl.com/4tw6a6y8 worth individuals in a diverse range of industries such as technology, construction, real estate, manufacturing, distribution and more. Wade will lead one of the fastest growing firms in the CSRA in 2021 with over 55 employees.

Rushton & Company's Nick Bruner Receives 2020-2021 Silver Shovel Award

practices at the LPR in September

AcclivusR3Solutions, a sought-after consultant, coach, and speaker who manages key corporate relationships worldwide; John Garrett, catalyst for culture change and a former CPA; Vicki Flier Hudson, chief collaboration officer with Highroad Global Services, Inc., who has helped mid- to large-sized organizations win across cultures and get results; and Mike Platt, managing principal, INSIDE Public Accounting, a sought-after speaker who specializes in accounting firm trends, innovation, leadership, benchmarking and analysis. Our Firm Management Roundtable (FMR) will also be held concurrently with LPR in Park City. This annual meeting is directed towards CEOs, COOs, firm administrators, HR directors and personnel involved in administering firm policies, human resources and technology and it aims to provide the people at your firm who are involved in firm administration with best practices examples

Nick Bruner, corporate audit partner with Rushton & Company, LLC, was a recipient of a Silver Shovel Award for 2020-2021 (pictured center row, far right). The Greater Hall Chamber presented the awards at the Board of Directors Meeting in June. Silver Shovel Awards are given to Chamber volunteers who have worked hard for the Chamber and for business in Gainesville-Hall County. Bruner has served on the Chamber Board and has assisted the Chamber this year by providing valuable insight to help small businesses best utilize the resources offered by the Small Business Administration during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Member News THF Congratulates Battles on joining the Board and Finance Committee of the Second Harvest of the Big Bend Tallahassee, Fla.-based

, congratulates Christie Battles on joining the Board of Directors and the Finance Committee of the Second Harvest of the Big Bend. Second Harvest of the Big Bend’s mission is to feed the hungry in the Big Bend and to educate and engage the community in the fight Christie Battles against hunger. Founded in 1982 as the Food Bank of Tallahassee, Second Harvest of the Big Bend began by picking up prepared and perishable food at local restaurants and grocery stores. Feeding America is a network of more than 200 food banks. Battles is a manager in the Assurance Services Department at THF. She received her bachelor’s and master’s in accounting from Florida State University and is a CPA.

Gray, Gray & Gray, LLP announces five promotions

Member firm has announced the promotion of five team members to new positions: Elvira Lawlor, CPA, MBA, has been promoted to tax manager. She is a member of the firm’s Architecture, Engineering & Design Practice Group. Lawlor attended the Kazan Federal University and Johnson & Wales University, where she earned a bachelor's in liberal studies and a master’s in business administration. Colby Dondero has been promoted to tax manager. She is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts-Lowell, where she is currently pursuing her MBA. Angela Ly, CPA, MSA, has been promoted to tax supervisor. She is a graduate of Bentley University where she earned her bachelor's in information systems audit & control, and her master's in accounting. Julia Nguyen, MBA, has been promoted to senior staff accountant. She is a graduate of Johnson & Wales University where she earned her bachelor's in accounting and her master’s in business administration. Rebecca Palma has been promoted to supervisor. She is a graduate of Bentley University where she earned her bachelor's in accounting and the Bentley University MacCallum Graduate School of Business where she earned her master's in Accounting.

Cg Tax, Audit & Advisory named one of New Jersey’s 2021 Best Places to Work

Cg (Cg), a leading accounting and profitability consulting

firm in New Jersey, recently announced its recognition as one of the 2021 Best Places to Work in New Jersey by NJBIZ. Surveyed by Best Companies Group, Cg’s dedication to employees’ personal and professional development, quality of life, and overall company culture placed the firm as a Best Place to Work in New Jersey in the small companies category (15-49 employees). Best Places to Work companies are decided based upon participation with the Best Places to Work survey from Best Companies Group. The program collects data confidentially, allowing employees to comfortably share feedback about their employers – and for those companies to interpret and act on what they’ve learned.

Matthews, Cutrer and Lindsay CPAs named a Mississippi Best Place to Work The accounting firm of

. (MCL), recently celebrated its honor as one of Mississippi Business Journal’s Best Places to Work in Mississippi for 2021. The awards presentation took place in June. The program honors and ranks companies with at least 15 fulltime Mississippi employees based on the treatment offered their most important asset. Honorees emerge from anonymous multiple-choice online survey administered by Research Logistics.

The firm’s initial year to apply for the honor follows a significant growth season where nearly 20 professionals were added to the staff through new hires and acquisitions. “Our firm diligently works to develop and maintain a culture that values both our coworker and client family,” said Matt Freeland, MCL managing shareholder.

Baum, Smith & Clemens, LLP announces 2021 Travis Bechtel Scholarship winner

, the Harleysville, Pa.-based accounting and business advisory firm, recently announced this year’s winner of the Travis Bechtel Scholarship is Garrett Nyce. A 2021 graduate of Dock Mennonite Academy, Nyce plans to attend Eastern Mennonite University where he will major in business with concentrations in accounting and economics. The scholarship is named in honor of a former employee of Baum, Smith, & Clemens who died at a young age while working for the firm. It is awarded to a graduating senior of Dock Mennonite Academy, chosen by the school, who has excelled in academics, sports and business.

In memory of James (Jim) W. Barrett announced that Jim Barrett lost his battle with cancer and passed away in July. Barrett had a successful career in public accounting following his service in the U.S. Marine Corps. He earned his bachelor's in business administration from Western New England College and his master's in taxation from Florida International College. He was licensed as a he served on the board of directors for CPAmerica and was a member of the American was appointed managing partner of MBK in 2009 and served in that position until his health required him to step down in the spring of 2020. His leadership contributed to MBK’s long-standing reputation as a leading brother to the entire MBK Team.

Gartland & Niergarth July, achieving 74 years of kindness, generosity and caring for all those who knew and loved him, along with many people he never met. He graduated from St. Joseph's College with a bachelor's in accounting, acquiring his CPA license in 1972, his master’s in business administration professional, he was known for honesty and integrity during his 45-year career as a founding partner of Dennis, Gartland and Niergarth, an during and after his tenure. As president of the Chamber of Commerce, chairman of the Gladhander Auction and treasurer and chairman of the GTACS school board and member of the Education Foundation, he was known for his calm demeanor and competent leadership.

From Member Services: CPAConnect: Supporting Your Strategic Plans

D'Yãn Davis Director of CPAConnect & Member Services

Creating and implementing a viable strategic plan is key to your firm’s long-term success. However, finding the right tools and resources to achieve these goals can often be a roadblock to turning plans into action.

As you consider the right approach to position your firm for enduring growth, the CPAConnect alliance is poised to support your objectives and unlock your firm’s potential. Established in 1994, CPAConnect was developed as CPAmerica’s companion alliance for firms with less than $3 million in annual revenue. CPAmerica firms expressed the need for ongoing relationships with smaller local firms which could fit into strategic and succession planning for both tiers of firms. This alliance is designed to create an ongoing, mutually beneficial, exclusive relationship between CPAmerica firms and the small practitioners in their area. We consider this relationship to be a “sponsorship” wherein both parties gain benefits and resources from one another. While CPAConnect members gain access to the expertise and resources of their CPAmerica sponsor firms, this affiliation allows CPAmerica firms to incorporate their sponsorship connections into short- and long-term strategic plans.

CPAConnect firms are poised to provide local co-engagements, upstream and downstream referrals, client sharing and M&A strategies. Benefits to CPAmerica firms include: •Shared Expenses »Develop opportunities for shared CPE costs, staffing and client work •M&A opportunities »Spend time getting to know the leadership and operations of small firms before pursuing mergers or acquisitions •Practice Continuation Agreements »Work closely with smaller firms to plan with CPAmerica sponsor firms to act as the lead contact should unexpected challenges arise at the local CPAConnect firm •Trusted Advisor Status »Position the CPAmerica sponsor firm as a trusted advisor for the complex engagement needs of clients in the offices of smaller practitioners »Provide opportunities for sponsor firms and smaller local firms to collaborate in their regional market •Engagement Referrals »Downstream referrals to CPAConnect of clients you’ve outgrown or niche work »Upstream referrals to your firm for expert assistance »Local relationships •Informal Agreement »No Contracts To Participate »As with your CPAmerica peers, these relationships are based upon mutual respect in a non-competitive atmosphere Should you have interest in increasing your firm’s visibility and influence in

your local area while also achieving essential strategic goals, contact D’Yan Davis (ddavis@cpamerica.org) to plan a customized recruiting plan and learn how to better engage local expertise.

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