2 February 2026 CPAmerica Advantage Newsletter

News

from your accounting association

Empowering New Partners Through Insights, Collaboration and Growth

CPAmerica’s New Partner Group is a specialty group for partners in their role for three years or less. We hold the New Partner Group Meeting annually, giving professionals in this stage of their career the opportunity to gain insight from peers with shared experience on a variety of pressing topics relevant to newly promoted partners.

February 2026 IN THIS ISSUE:

► Empowering New Partners Through Insights, Collaboration and Growth

► Preferred Provider Spotlight - Cetrom

► Next Generation Conference

► Member News

► CPAmerica InsightsTarena Stanley

“My biggest takeaway from participating in the New Partner Group is just having resources available outside of my firm and being able to bounce ideas off of someone or just have a conversation about a specific issue,” said Adams. “But last year what stuck out the most was being paired up with an accountability partner.”

business. She utilizes discussion forums within the CPAmerica Center of Excellence to get specific questions answered related to staff development and other areas of interest.

It also helps to see familiar names that you’ve already met and connect with when seeking advice.

Shannon Adams, shareholder with Matthews, Cutrer & Lindsay, P.A. (MCL), joined her firm right out of college, and has worked her way up from senior audit manager to director, and now to shareholder. Currently, Adams is gearing up for her nineteenth tax season with MCL.

Adams has participated in CPAmerica’s New Partner Group program for the last two years and is eagerly awaiting this year’s meeting. The New Partner Group Meetings provide opportunities for new partners to gather, network, hear presentations from industry-leading speakers and connect with peers for collaboration.

Both times she attended, Adams said that she walked away with a book full of notes and slides. She pulls them out every once in awhile to review and get ideas. She tries to go back and reread these notes about every six months to keep this information top of mind.

These accountability partners got together during the meeting to set goals and coordinate check-ins. Partners were selected and assigned based on firm size. Adams shared that when they left the meeting, they were tasked to set a 90-day goal and a one-year goal. Adams and her accountability partner meet every month, even for only five minutes, to talk through challenges of being a new partner and goal progress. Adams looks forward to these monthly calls and has built a great relationship with her partner, also named Shannon.

“The kind of leader I want to be is people first. I truly care about the culture at my firm,” said Adams. “Because I’m so passionate about that, it’s important to develop those leadership skills. I ask myself, ‘how do I grow and how do I grow my people so that our culture can continue to grow?’”

Adams also shared how participating in the New Partner Group Program has helped her with staff development and managing her more than 15 team members, providing her with resources and tools. Is has also helped to shift her mindset from being just an employee to being an owner of a

“Ask yourself, what do you want to be and how do you want to be a partner, and then is there someone who’s doing it already that you can learn from, rather than reinventing the wheel? What are they doing that’s working for them and how can you incorporate that at your firm?” suggested Adams.

Adams has enjoyed her experience at her first two New Partner Group Meetings and encourages others to take full advantage of the opportunity to learn and grow. Partners should build those relationships and keep in touch with their fellow members.

“You can’t even really measure the value of participating in the program because it is just phenomenal,” said Adams. “Having that peer group to reach out to, someone who you know who has had the same struggles and you’ve built a relationship with them, you can pick up the phone when needed, and they can provide great insight.”

Some networking opportunities at last year’s New Partner Group Meeting included getting out of the conference space to attend a baseball game. Adams shared how much she loved watching the

See New Partner, continued on page 2

Preferred Provider Spotlight Cetrom

Cetrom, the leading provider of secure, intelligent cloud hosting solutions purposebuilt specifically for accounting firms, announced today that it has been named to the 2025 MSSP Alert Top 250 MSSP list. The recognition validates Cetrom’s leadership in delivering securityfirst, intelligence-driven cloud infrastructure designed to support the next generation of AI-enabled

commitment to exceptional managed security services.

As accounting firms increasingly adopt AI, automation, and data-intensive applications, traditional IT models are proving to be insufficient. These firms require infrastructure that is not only secure and compliant, but intelligent by design—capable of enforcing policy, detecting

For more information, please visit www.cetrom.com or email sales@cetrom.com.

game and getting outside gave her the chance to get to know fellow attendees on a more personal level. That low-pressure networking allowed members to build relationships that last year after year, making it easier to reconnect again in the future.

“I would tell a new partner, you’re going to come in, hear a lot of things and get overloaded, but you’re going to take away all the materials and resources,” said Adams. “Look back at your notes and slides, connect with those people in the same specialty area as you, and just build those relationships, because you just never know what you might need and who could be a resource. It’s so much easier to ask someone for advice when you’ve already established a relationship. Having that source is invaluable, you just can’t put a price on that.”

To get in touch with Shannon Adams, please reach out to shannon.adams@mcl.cpa. The 2026 New Partner Group Meeting will be held May 2021, in Bozeman, Mont. Scan the QR code below for more information.

Next Generation Conference

Seattle, Washington | June 10-12

Renaissance Seattle Hotel

Designed for successful seniors through managers, the Next Generation Conference features both an intermediate and advanced track for attendees at any level to better understand how their firms operate and how they fit into the bigger picture. Attendees will focus on relationship building, leadership development, and practice management fundamentals alongside peers and firm leaders committed to developing careercoachable professionals within our member firms.

This year, we are also offering an optional Emotional Intelligence Pre-Conference taking place on June 10. The optional Pre-Conference is appropriate for both first-time and returning attendees and can be added to your cart at checkout.

Featuring these influential speakers and more:

| Charles Hylan, Hylan Advisors | Meg Myers Morgan, Author and Best-Selling Author

Stephano

Slack LLC announces merger with CL Rotz and Associates

Stephano Slack llc, a regional accounting and advisory firm with offices across Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware, has announced its merger with CL Rotz and Associates, an accounting firm based in Oreland, Pennsylvania. Following the merger, the practice will operate under the Stephano Slack name and continue serving clients from its Oreland office. Clients will continue working with trusted professionals while gaining access to Stephano Slack’s broader resources and regional platform. “CL Rotz and Associates shares our commitment to putting clients first,” said Michael Stephano, owner and managing partner of Stephano Slack LLC. “This merger allows us to continue expanding thoughtfully while preserving the personalized service model our clients value.” As part of the transition, John Loughlin, Jr., CPA, partner in Stephano Slack’s Wayne, Pennsylvania, office, will serve as partner-in-charge for the Oreland location. The integration is designed to be seamless, with a focus on continuity of service, relationship preservation, and access to expanded firm resources. This transaction marks Stephano Slack’s sixth merger since January 2024, reflecting the firm’s continued investment in strategic growth across the Mid-Atlantic region while maintaining a clientcentered operating model.

Three new directors strengthen 415 Group’s Tax Leadership Team

415 Group, a leading Ohio public accounting and IT consulting firm, is proud to announce the continued expansion of its tax practice with the addition of three director-level professionals, further strengthening the firm’s leadership team amid continued firm growth. The expanded leadership team includes Troy Tschantz, CPA, Tony Wey, CPA, and Robert Jackson, CPA, who bring a combined depth of experience and technical expertise to support clients through increasingly complex tax and compliance needs. These leadership additions reflect the firm’s commitment to investing in experienced professionals who drive long-term value for clients and the organization. Tschantz brings extensive experience in tax planning and

compliance, working closely with clients to deliver strategic solutions tailored to their business needs. Wey brings decades of experience in public accounting, including prior leadership roles and a background serving a diverse client base. Jackson brings more than 25 years of experience in tax planning, compliance and strategic advisory services. “Our firm is experiencing remarkable growth, and welcoming three highly respected tax leaders underscores our commitment to investing in top-tier talent,” said Rich Craig, managing partner at 415 Group.

improve cash flow. Shamir serves as co-lead of LMC’s Family Office Department and has been central to the firm’s growth in serving high-net-worth individuals and families. He leads the development of integrated tax, estate, and financial strategies and is known for his ability to guide clients through complex decisions with clarity and confidence.

Dean Dorton announces two new office locations and a new Cincinnati market leader

LMC expands it’s leadership team with four new partners

Dean Dorton, a leading professional services firm providing tax, assurance and advisory services, is pleased to announce the opening of two new offices in the Greater Cincinnati area, expanding the firm’s footprint and strengthening its ability to serve communities across the region. Additionally, Dean Dorton has announced the appointment of Beth Vice, as market leader for the firm’s Cincinnati market. In this role, Vice will be responsible for leading market strategy, strengthening client relationships, and supporting continued growth across the region. As part of this transition, Adam Davey, who has served as market leader since January 2024, will move into a new leadership role overseeing the firm’s Tax practice. “This transition supports our continued growth and our efforts to put the right leaders in the right roles,” said Jason Miller, incoming President and CEO.

“Adam Davey has been instrumental in building and strengthening our presence in the Northern Kentucky and Cincinnati market, and his move into leading our Tax practice allows us to further leverage his expertise firmwide.” The expansion allows the firm to better support clients across Greater Cincinnati with enhanced accessibility and expanded local teams.

GRF CPAs & Advisors promotes Lisa Heller to partner

lMc, headquartered in New York, N.Y., is proud to announce the promotion of Nick Grgas, Gary Sozzi, Jonathan Porcelli, and Ari Shamir to partner. Grgas has been instrumental in the growth and success of LMC’s Audit & Assurance Department and serves as the department lead. He oversees complex engagements and sets the standard for quality and execution across the department. Sozzi serves as colead of LMC’s Tax Department and has played a significant role in expanding and strengthening the firm’s tax capabilities. He works closely with business owners and high-net-worth individuals on sophisticated tax planning and structuring strategies while providing leadership and mentorship across the department. Porcelli also serves as co-lead of LMC’s Tax Department, where he guides departmental priorities, manages workload and execution, and supports the growth of the team. He leads the development of industry-specific tax strategies that help closely held businesses and individuals reduce tax exposure and

GrF cpaS & aDviSorS, headquartered in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan region is excited to announce that Lisa Heller, CPA, has been promoted to partner in Nonprofit Tax. Heller brings over 25 years of experience working with tax-exempt organizations and has been a key contributor to GRF’s nonprofit thought leadership since joining the firm. Her ability to clearly communicate complex tax issues and her leadership in issuing practical guidance shows her commitment to supporting nonprofit organizations.

Getting to Know Our Preferred Providers: A Strategic Resource for Tax Season and Beyond

As we enter another busy tax season, I want to highlight one of CPAmerica’s most valuable resources for our firms: the Preferred Provider program. These strategic partners are more than vendors. They are trusted resources our member firms actively use, recommend, and rely on to support both internal operations and client service.

At its core, the Preferred Provider program exists to deliver a curated list of vetted service providers across key areas of firm need, from technology and staffing to specialty consulting and benchmarking. These are companies CPAmerica firms are already working with and speaking highly of. Because we are a member driven association, firm feedback and referrals are central to how providers are admitted and retained. To be considered, a company must already be actively working with a CPAmerica firm.

The process begins with an initial conversation between me and the prospective provider to assess overall fit. We evaluate whether their values, approach, and commitment to service align with the association. Our goal is to ensure partners engage with our firms as trusted advisors and resources, not simply as sellers of a product. This program is built on relationships, not transactions.

All decisions related to the program are guided by our Preferred Provider Review Committee. This rotating committee operates on staggered terms and transitioned last year to ensure continuity while bringing in fresh perspectives. It is composed of five managing partners representing all regions of the association, providing diverse viewpoints and real-world firm leadership insight. While I facilitate the process, every approval, category change, and program enhancement is driven by member feedback and committee guidance.

As part of the application process, I personally connect with the CPAmerica firms a provider serves to gather direct feedback. This includes their onboarding experience, communication, responsiveness, and how the provider’s services have positively impacted their firm or department. That insight is shared with the committee and plays a meaningful role in evaluation decisions.

In November, the committee held its first meeting with the current group of members

and began implementing enhancements to strengthen and streamline the program. One of the most significant changes was recategorizing providers from more than 24 categories to a focused set of 12. These new categories were intentionally named using language firms recognize from the profession, making it easier to identify relevant services. This reflects our commitment to continuous improvement based on firm needs.

We also refreshed the Preferred Provider section of the members-only website to align with the new landing page design. Providers are organized by category and alphabetically for ease of navigation. Each provider has a dedicated page outlining their services, contact information, and exclusive benefits or discounts available to CPAmerica firms. In addition, we created a one-page reference guide firms can use to quickly identify providers by category.

To ensure continued relevance, the committee recently completed a thoughtful review of all providers. Based on engagement and usage, some relationships were respectfully transitioned where services were no longer actively utilized. These decisions were made with members first, reinforcing our commitment to keeping the program aligned with your evolving needs.

Our Preferred Providers are far more than names on a list. Many have deep relationships with our firms, with some partners serving CPAmerica members for over 15 years. These long-standing partnerships reflect shared values around being connected, inspiring, and forward-thinking in how we collectively support firms.

Another important element of the program is how providers reinvest in the association. Many serve as sponsors at CPAmerica events throughout the year. While our staff delivers the programming and experience, sponsor investment helps offset registration costs and enhance overall value for firms.

A key focus for 2026 is increasing member awareness and education around the full range of resources and benefits available, including those from Preferred Providers. My role is to foster year-long engagement beyond one or two meetings. This includes connecting partners with relevant Center of Excellence (COE) communities, identifying subject matter experts for programming, and highlighting select resources in the weekly e-newsletters and COE discussion forums.

We will also continue our monthly Preferred Provider Spotlights in the CPAmerica Advantage and Preferred Provider Monday

Spotlights which are shared on LinkedIn the first Monday of every month. A new enhancement for 2026 will be extending these spotlights into relevant COE communities to ensure content is targeted and meaningful based on service alignment.

As you prepare for tax season and beyond, I encourage you to explore the Preferred Provider directory and leverage the resources available. If you are working with a provider that could benefit other firms, I welcome your recommendations. Your experiences directly shape who we partner with and how the program continues to evolve.

This program exists because of the relationships built across our firms, and we look forward to continuing to collaborate and grow it together. Contact us at:

7555 W. University Ave. Gainesville, FL 32607 (352) 727-4070

www.cpamerica.org

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