On the move: Georgia CPAs fight hunger

September 13, 2024 9:30 AM

The Georgia Society of CPAs raised almost $350,000 to fight hunger across the state, while CohnReznick expanded its valuation practice, Herbein + Co. added a director of business development, Abdo and Mercadien each announced a wave of promotions.

GEORGIA

The 11th annual Georgia Accounting Food Fight, a collaboration between Feeding Georgia and the Georgia Society of CPAs, raised $347,591.16 — the equivalent of nearly 1.4 million meals. Anna Abernathy LLC was named the Grand Prize Food Fight Hero, raising $3,390.75 and earning the most points per employee statewide, while the Grand Prize Hunger Champion Winner was Nichols, Cauley and Associates, raising $51,483.96 with the most statewide points overall. A complete list of the 2024 Accounting Food Fight winners is available here. The Food Fight is timed each year to restock the food banks after the summer surge that comes after the conclusion of the school year (and school lunch assistance programs). Since its inception in 2014, the Food Fight has collectively raised $2,507,681.61 — the equivalent of 10,030,726 meals.

Kevin Moyer has joined Bennett Thrasher, Atlanta, as Midwest business development leader for transaction advisory services. He previously served as a partner and TAS practice leader at Sax LLP.

ILLINOIS

Arla Lach

Arla Lach, market managing principal of the Chicagoland headquarters of Grant Thornton, has been named as a Notable Leader in Accounting by Crain's Chicago Business as part of its annual list recognizing senior leaders who have demonstrated excellence in professional services while also giving back to Chicago.

INDIANA

Anthony Whitaker

Anthony Whitaker has joined Katz, Sapper & Miller, Indianapolis, as director of digital transformation. He brings more than 20 years of experience, including holding various leadership roles with a wide array of IT organizations, ranging from startups to global companies. Prior to joining KSM, he served as senior director of technology for Media.Monks.

MASSACHUSETTS

Matt Foley has joined LGA, Waltham, as a tax partner. He brings over 17 years of experience at both national and international firms.

MINNESOTA

Abdo LLP, Edina, announced a number of promotions: Laura Lutton was promoted to administrative assistant; Halle Erickson to senior administrative assistant; Larissa Mrozek to communications manager; Elly Ohnstad to brand manager; and Meagan Ricard to HR generalist. In tax, Ali Ali, Justin Anderson, Kelsey Edholm, Avery Green, Musab Makhtal and Zoey Nguyen were promoted to senior associate; Darren Anderson, Mitch Skluzacek and Sara Skluzacek were promoted to manager; and John Juntunen to senior manager. In financial solutions, Jess Balderston was promoted to associate; Natalie Doran to senior associate; Jessi Sturtz, Kelli Truver and Amanda Watson to manager; and Ashley Feldewerd and Kasha Gansky to senior manager. In nonprofit, Trey Kockelman was promoted to senior associate and Joe Wallis to senior manager, while in business A&A, Cat LaCasse and Matt Sarff were promoted to senior associate. In government, Kelsey Larson was promoted to manager, Adam Owens to senior associate, and Luke Vogt to supervisor, while in advisory, Adam Wolf was promoted to senior associate.

NEW JERSEY

Matthew Smierciak

Mercadien, Princeton and Philadelphia, announced a number of promotions: Matthew Smierciak was promoted to managing director of The Mercadien Group and principal in Mercadien PC CPAs, while Dominic Hulick, Caitlin Kolczynski and Stephanie Toplinski were promoted to director; and Victoria Cardis, Tyler Marcocci, Matthew Mullins and Peter Sciarrotta to manager.

NEW YORK

Brian Kaiser

Brian Kaiser has joined Centri Business Consulting, New York City, as managing director and financial services industry practice leader. He brings over a decade of experience in financial services accounting, advisory and auditing, and most recently served as a managing director at a regional advisory firm and a member of the company's financial services industry leadership team.

Brad Hirsch and Anthony Doughty have joined the valuation advisory services practice of CohnReznick, New York City, as the practice leader and a principal, respectively. Both are based in Chicago. Separately, Kemi Sulaimon, a managing director in the firm's transaction advisory services practice, has been selected as a winner of The M&A Advisor's 15th Annual Emerging Leaders Awards, which recognize professionals under the age of 40 who have made significant contributions to the fields of M&A, corporate finance and restructuring, demonstrating dedication to their profession and to charitable causes.

The Bonadio Group, Rochester, has been named a 2024 Best Companies Group Inclusive Workplace in collaboration with Color Magazine, based on its commitment to inclusive work environments and accomplishments in employee engagement, retention rates and brand recognition.

NORTH DAKOTA

Brady Martz & Associates, Grand Forks, was named one of the 50 Best Places to Work in 2024 in North and South Dakota and Western Minnesota by Prairie Business.

OHIO

Teri Schaffer, CPA, has joined Winding River Consulting LLC, Cleveland, as a leadership consultant. Prior to joining Winding River, she served as the assurance office managing partner for the Northeast Ohio offices of BDO USA, having spent more than a decade with SS&G Inc. before that.

Blue & Co. was named one of the Best Employers in Ohio by the Best Companies Group, Crain's Cleveland Business and Crain's Content Studio-Cleveland; this is the 14th year Blue has made the list.

OREGON

Tim Rinehart

Tim Rinehart has joined Moss Adams as a tax partner in Portland, supporting clients in the technology, communications and life sciences industries. He brings two decades of experience supporting clients in a variety of industries, such as technology, biotechnology, retail, timber and cryptocurrency.

PENNSYLVANIA

Cynthia Tonet-Stewart

Cynthia Tonet-Stewart has joined Herbein + Co. Inc., Reading, as director of business development. She brings over 25 years of professional services industry experience, and previously directed firmwide business development and marketing at McDonald Hopkins, as well as held positions at PwC, Mackrell International brand, Clark Hill and Thorp Reed & Armstrong.

Brown Plus, Camp Hill, was ranked the No. 1 Accounting Firm in Central Pennsylvania in the Central Penn Business Journal's 2024 Reader Rankings Awards.

WASHINGTON, D.C.

Pamela Au/wingedwolf - Fotolia

The Internal Revenue Service has moved the Initial Claim Evaluation team from the Small Business/Self-Employed Division to the IRS Whistleblower Office as part of the office's new organizational structure. The ICE Team will continue to serve as the primary receipt and control function performing whistleblower claim intake, monitoring and award processing. They also respond to correspondence and telephone inquiries from internal and external stakeholders.

The Public Company Accounting Oversight Board will host the fourth of its in-person 2024 forums on auditing in the small-business environment and on auditing broker-dealers in Miami on Oct. 9, 2024, hosted by board member Christina Ho at the University of Miami. Attendance is free, but advance registration is required.