We're smiling because we made contributions to Boys Hope/Girls Hope for the privilege of sporting our Saints garb of jeans, jerseys and black and gold. Go Saints!

Holt has a rich family history in the accounting business. Both of his parents were accounting professionals. He married the daughter of an accountant, and his son has joined the accounting profession as well. Clayton joined Thomas W. Brell, his father-in-law, in practice in 1980 and was named partner in 1981. Holt became the majority shareholder in 1988 and has grown the firm to engage over 400 clients.

Before establishing his own practice, Holt spent time as a CSH associate in Middletown, Ohio. “It took 30 years to finally become a shareholder at Clark Schaefer Hackett,” he jokes.

But Holt was serious when considering the decision to merge his practice into the 74-year-old firm. “This firm is the right fit for our clients.” said Holt regarding Clark Schaefer. “Our approaches to client service are similar, our culture is similar. The transition will be seamless.”

“Our tagline is ‘Strength in Numbers’ because we have a professional staff large enough to support highly focused talent,” said Clark Schaefer Hackett President Carl Coburn. “This is an age of specialization, and our clients demand and deserve sophisticated, focused services. The larger your firm, the more specialized talent you can foster and attract.”

Clayton Holt (left) and Carl Coburn shake hands to celebrate the merger of the two public accounting firms.

In the spirit of holiday giving, Daszkal Bolton (four offices in FL) congratulates all our Associates celebrating January Anniversaries this month! Adam Sabin, Alicia Guertin, Art Hurley, Cindy Reppel, Colleen DeWoody Bracci, Dawn Ennis, Deanna Ortman, Karen Crim, Kathleen Braica, Kelli Spillane Przybyla, Kevin Reynolds, Kristy Eggert, Laura Hurley, Laura Teter, Lourdes Kusnir, Mary Gelinas, Michelle Shulman, Michelle Faivre, Philip Piedt, Sami Smith, Sandy Smith, and Susan Murray.

DeJoy, Knauf & Blood LLP (Rochester, NY) is proud to announce that Morgan Brooks, staff accountant, was recognized by her Alma Mater SUNY Plattsburgh in their article “SUNY Plattsburgh Graduates Off to a Good Start.” The entire article is featured on SUNY Plattsburgh’s website. 

DKB also had a group of staff particiapate in the NYSSCPA’s Young CPA Volleyball tournament. The tournament was held in Rochester at a local indoor facility which has multiple sand courts. There were 12 Rochester firms who particpated in the tournament. It was a great way to kick off the start to busy season! 

The firm welcomed eight new members to our team with morning refreshments and lunch for the whole team. We started mandatory Satudays 1/21/2012 and kicked this off by celebrating January birthdays and a baked potato bar for lunch. It was enjoyed by all!

Faw Casson (two offices in DE and MD) has been honored with the "Fittest Firm" recognition in the medium firm category from AccountingWEB. Congratulations to everyone at Faw Casson! Read article.

Froehling Anderson (Minneapolis, MN) announced that the company raised money for a clothing donation to the 2nd Annual Winter Camp at Voyageur Environmental Center in Mound, MN.

Carol Blaize, Program Coordinator at Voyageur Environmental Center stated, “We can’t thank you all at
Froehling Anderson enough! Without your donation of hats, gloves, snow pants, jackets and boots – a
lot of campers would not have been able to participate in our activities and stay as warm as they did! I
wish you all could have seen the campers’ faces when they tried on a new winter coat and we told them
they could take it home – priceless!”

Hungerford, Aldrin, Nicols & Cartner, PC (Grand Rapids, MI) Chris Harper offered retirement and switching jobs advice on the local television station WZZM13.

Congratulations to Peggy Murphy, a shareholder at HANC, on being named one of the 50 Most Influential Women in West Michigan by the Grand Rapids Business Journal!

In other news, another successful Blood Drive at HANC with the Blood Bus: 13 pints donated and 36 potential lives saved. With this latest donation, Joan Start achieved her 7-gallon donor pin! An impressive and great achievement Joan!

Kernutt Stokes LLP (Eugene, OR) is pleased to announce that Scott Wright, CPA and partner, was recently appointed by Governor John Kitzhaber and confirmed by the Senate to serve on the State of Oregon Board of Accountancy. Wright is one of four accountants to receive an appointment in the state. The Board is authorized by ORS Chapter 673 to establish and enforce standards and regulations and license qualified applicants to practice public accountancy in Oregon. Congratulations, Scott!.

Two Kernutt Stokes managers, Andrea Smith and Tenille Woodward were recently honored as two of the top twenty rising business stars in the regions 20 under 40 Awards. Congratulations Andrea and Tenille!

Schenck SC (nine offices in WI) is pleased to announce that Chad M. Zeller, CPA, has recently been named a shareholder of the organization.

Zeller is an integral member of the Manitowoc office, taking responsibility for maintaining existing client relationships, new business development and staff development activities of the office. He serves as co-leader of the firm’s Construction/Real Estate industry team and represents Schenck at a number of local and state-wide trade associations.

Zeller joined Schenck in 1998 and worked in the Green Bay market until 2004. He worked in the construction industry from 2004 through 2007 and returned to Schenck as a manager in August 2007.

Sisterson & Co. LLP's (Pittsburg, PA) is proud to announce that Joseph P. Nicola, Jr., JD, CPA, CVA and Mark Uebele, CPA have been admitted to the Partnership effective January 1, 2012.

Joe Nicola joined the firm’s tax department in 2006 and has more than 20 years of public accounting experience. He is experienced in federal and multi-state tax matters that affect numerous industries, including natural resources, manufacturing, distribution, high technology, securities, and start-up businesses. Joe’s background also includes significant experience in ERISA and employee benefits, and as an adjunct professor at local universities.

Mark Uebele began his auditing career at Sisterson in 1990. He has extensive experience with manufacturing and machining companies as well as employee benefit plans, investment partnerships, and not-for-profit organizations, including private foundations, service organizations, private clubs, and economic and community development organizations. Mark is also actively involved with special consulting projects for many of the firm’s clients.

In other news, Dick Custer is celebrating 35 years with Sisterson this month, and Mark Uebele joined the firm 22 years ago! Anniversary wishes also go to Jim Marker (8 years); Debbie Ogrodnik, Betty Glevicky and Cheryl Vrcek (6 years); Pete Wallace (5 years); Corey Roslonski (3 years); and Kelly Schilling (2 years).

Sproles Woodard L.L.P. (three offices in TX and NM) is pleased to announce the following promotions: Meredith Morgan to Senior Manager; Greg Taylor to Senior Tax Manager; Denise McEnaney to Manager; Melissa Thompson and David Hill to Senior; Tyler Richardson to Tax Senior; Linda Johnson to Tax Supervisor; and Dustin Law to Staff II.