8 August 2026 CPAmerica Advantage Newsletter

News from your accounting association

The Power of a Pause: How Sabbaticals Are Recharging Accounting Professionals

No matter the size of the firm, offering sabbaticals to your team members can be an employee benefit with a great impact. While this practice can look different for different firms, the motivation behind it is the same: provide team members with muchneeded respite. This month, we spoke with individuals from two CPAmerica member firms that offer sabbaticals.

Matthews, Cutrer and Lindsay, P.A. (MCL), headquartered in Ridgeland, Miss., implemented their sabbatical policy about 12 years ago as a way to give the partners a break and combat burnout. Their sabbaticals last for four weeks and are available to partners and shareholders every five years.

Matt Freeland, managing shareholder of MCL, shared their sabbatical policy is a part of their shareholder agreement. With more than 50 employees and three offices, they have 11 partners and do two sabbaticals per year to ensure the workload is still covered.

“If you’re taking time off for a sabbatical, you have to have a plan,” emphasized Freeland. “If there’s something you want to do, go do it while you still can.”

Freeland spoke about the importance of communication when someone is preparing to go on sabbatical to make sure the clients feel taken care of and the employee doesn’t return with weeks of work to catch up on.

“Some of my clients don’t like it,” joked

Freeland. “But at some point, when I know mine’s coming up, I talk to my clients, look ahead to what we’re working on and share with them what my time away will look like. Naming specific team members who will handle the work until I return puts them at ease. As long as they know they’re being taken care of, they’re fine with it.”

Aldrich, headquartered in Lake Oswego, Ore., has offered sabbaticals to all qualified people at their firm for the last decade. Their sabbaticals last for eight weeks and can be taken every seven years.

August 2026 IN THIS ISSUE:

► The Power of a Pause: How Sabbaticals Are Recharging Accounting Professionals

► Preferred Provider Spotlight - Surgent/UWorld

► Annual Practice Management Leadership Retreat

► Member News

► CPAmerica InsightsStephanie Esposito

doing on their time off as a highlight for the firm.

Both MCL and Aldrich have formal policies in place outlining who is eligible, when they are eligible and what the expectations are during that time period. The goal being for the employee to completely log off and take a step back.

Melissa Berndt, chief people officer and partner at Aldrich, shared how offering sabbaticals to their more than 400 employees in eight U.S. offices can be helpful for firm succession planning and quality control.

“From a business perspective, I think it’s a great opportunity for succession planning and a quality control check,” said Berndt. “Because you can’t just tell your clients, I’ll see you in eight weeks, you have to make sure that that client relationship can safely pass to someone else and that person can steward the client.”

Berndt shared that their sabbatical program has also been a great retention tool. The Aldrich team likes to celebrate their team members’ sabbaticals in their internal newsletter and with photos on their social channels, making seeing what others are

“We terminate people’s e-mail,” said Berndt. “They cannot get into the system for eight weeks because we want to hold them accountable to not working. If we leave their access, the temptation is there.”

Both firms shared some of the positive benefits they’ve seen because of the sabbatical program. Each echoing sentiments that their employees returned from sabbatical feeling rested, recharged, re-engaged and excited to get back to work.

Freeland mentioned how important this time is to have a chance to take a pause and catch up with themselves.

“I do warn the partners, your first week is going to feel like vacation,” said Freeland. “Your second week is going to feel a little less like vacation. Then during the third week, you’re in the groove, and in the fourth week you’re in panic mode because you have to go back to work and maybe didn’t do all the stuff you wanted to do.”

Berndt shared that employees who are engaged and feeling valued come back from sabbatical better, stronger and more invested. Berndt further stated that, without question, this program absolutely helps their firm productivity.

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Continued from Sabbaticals, on page 1

“Oftentimes what happens is people come back and say, ‘I really let some habits form that I don’t want to keep repeating,’” said Berndt. “So, what we see is people come back with healthier boundaries or increased perspective. Or they even took the time to learn new recipes, garden or go see friends and family.”

“We started this program in the middle of the firm’s life cycle, so what’s really fun right now is seeing those people who started with us as associates and they’re maybe managers or senior managers now and they’re getting to take their sabbaticals,” said Berndt.

At Aldrich, sabbaticals are not only for partners. They are offered to any employees meeting the required set number of hours.

“Not everyone’s ambition is to become a partner, but they’ve still worked really hard

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in their career, and they need the same benefits for the same reasons that everyone else needs a sabbatical,” explained Berndt.

For other firms interested in implementing a sabbatical policy, both Freeland and Berndt enthusiastically said, “Go for it!” But you must have everyone on board.

“It’s been a good program,” said Freeland. “Everyone who wanted to do it has enjoyed it. And my partners who were scared or wary of it came back saying, ‘that was great, that was the break I needed.’ Some even stating, ‘this is the greatest idea ever.’”

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“I love the program,” said Berndt. “I won’t lie though, logistically, it takes work, because you have sabbaticals, you have people going on different kinds of leaves, you have paid time off (PTO). It takes effort and intention for teams to really cover these.

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It’s not simple and it’s a lot of work. But at the same time, I think the benefit really outweighs the energy that’s required to keep it in motion.”

To learn more about their sabbaticals, please contact Matthews, Cutrer and Lindsay’s Matt Freeland at matt.freeland@mcl.cpa, or Aldrich’s Melissa Berndt at mberndt@aldrichadvisors.com.

employee performance. The addition of Human Resources Advisory Services expands Stephano Slack’s commitment to providing clients with comprehensive business advisory solutions. Duroseau will work closely with business owners, executives, and leadership teams to develop and implement people-focused strategies that support organizational growth, improve employee engagement, and enhance overall business performance. “We are excited to welcome Alain to Stephano Slack and launch our Human Resources Advisory Services practice,” said Jim Forgione, partner. “Organizations today are navigating an increasingly complex workforce, compliance, and talent challenges. Alain’s experience, strategic perspective, and relationship-driven approach make him the ideal leader to help our clients build stronger teams, improve organizational effectiveness, and align their people strategy with their business goals.”

Whalen CPAs announces promotions, including new vice president

Whalen cpaS is proud to announce several team member promotions. T.J. Lowry has been promoted to partner and vice president of Audit Services. Brody Hanna has been promoted to manager of Audit Services.

Adriana Rodriguez and Andrew Lumpp have been promoted to senior of Accounting Services. For Lowry, this promotion is not primarily about a title, it is about responsibility: to serve clients well, help lead the audit practice with clarity and conviction, and help steward a firm culture that has meant a great deal to him. In this new role, Lowry will continue leading Whalen’s audit services with a focus on technical excellence, practical guidance, and relationships grounded in trust.

Matthews, Cutrer and Lindsay CPAs announces team member

proud to announce several well-deserved John , has been promoted to audit

Emily

, have been promoted to senior audit accountant. These talented professionals have achieved this milestone through their

serving their clients and firm with distinction. “Each of these individuals has demonstrated exceptional dedication, professionalism, and commitment to excellence. Their hard work and contributions have not gone unnoticed, and these promotions are a reflection of their continued growth and impact on our team,” said Shannon L. Adams, CPA, shareholder.

Frazier & Deeter’s chief people officer named CPO of the year

demonstrated exceptional technical expertise, proactive client service, and a commitment to mentoring others – all qualities that make him a valuable member of their leadership team. In addition, they are excited to recognize the following team members on their promotions: Bryce Tarletsky, CPA, and Nicolas Signore, CPA, have been promoted to managers. Atira Boos, CPA, Ashlee Hohman, CPA, and Katie Kriner, CPA, have been promoted to incharge senior accountants. Jacob Coughlin, CPA, and Bradley Kimmel have been promoted to senior accountants.

Gray,

Gray & Gray elevates seven to new roles

Frazier & deeter congratulates their chief people officer, Shawn Minard, on being named 2026 CPO of the Year by Manage HR Magazine. In his feature shared by Manage HR Magazine, Minard shares his perspective on leading through growth, preserving culture and building an environment where people can thrive. From his “trust by default” leadership philosophy to his belief that people want to feel appreciated, add value and make an impact, the article reflects how people strategy and business strategy work hand in hand at Frazier & Deeter. The Frazier & Deeter team congratulates Minard on this honor and thanks him for the leadership he brings to their people, culture and firm.

BS&P celebrates eight welldeserved team promotions

BS&p is pleased to announce the promotion of Matthew D. Sova, CPA, to principal. Since joining BS&P in 2020, Sova has become a trusted advisor to closely held businesses, nonprofit organizations, and individual clients, providing tax and advisory services, while building lasting client connections. Throughout his career at the firm, he has consistently

Gray, Gray & Gray, llp, a business consulting and accounting firm based in Canton, Mass., has announced the promotion of seven team members to new positions: Miyabi Armstrong has been promoted to supervisor in the Audit & Assurance Department. Nivetha Baskar, MSF, has been promoted to manager in the Transaction Advisory Services practice group. Michael Broomstein, MSA, has been promoted to senior staff accountant in the Tax Department. Todd Donatello has been promoted to managing principal in the Sage Intacct & Advisory practice group. Nicholas Mauro, EA, has been promoted to senior manager in the Tax Department. Patrick Mullenger has been promoted to senior consultant in the Sage Intacct & Advisory practice group. Timothy Sacca, CPA, MSA, has been promoted to senior staff accountant in the Audit & Assurance Department. “For more than 80 years, our people have been the foundation of Gray, Gray & Gray’s success. These promotions recognize the talent, dedication, and purpose-driven approach that enable our team members to grow in their careers, support one another, and succeed together,” said James A. DeLeo, MBA, CPA/ MST, leading partner of Gray, Gray & Gray.

Thomas, Head & Greisen welcomes new manager

thoMaS, head & GreiSen (thG) is pleased to welcome Sunita Pandey, CPA, as a new manager. Pandey joined THG earlier this year and brings 10 years of experience and focuses her practice on partnerships and high net worth individuals, with specialization in investment partnerships, private equity, and venture capital.

session promises to be both energizing and