Meet Anoop Mehta

Talking Trust, Ethics, and Integrity

In April Anoop Mehta, CPA, CGMA, Chair of the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA), visited with students from four colleges and universities in central Alabama. His first stop was to Alabama State University in downtown Montgomery. There he met with nearly 100 students and faculty from the Percy J. Vaughn College of Business.

Next, he ventured just a few miles to Huntingdon College. There he met with students from the Accounting and Business Program. Later that evening, Anoop shared dinner with Accounting students from Auburn University at Montgomery.

The following day Anoop headed up I85 to Auburn University. While on campus he met with two groups of students - first with young business and accounting students, and later with students from the Beta Alpha Psi chapter. (He even got a tour of a new athletic facility on campus!)

Accounting - it’s the Language of Business

No matter what campus he visits, his message to all students remains the same: Accounting is the language of Business.

While visiting central Alabama, he often spoke to students about how the profession could help them - no matter what path they decided to take.

Whether you take the CPA Exam once, or multiple times, never stop trying. Never stop learning. And always answer when opportunity knocks.

“Every opportunity, no matter how small it is, you have to take advantage of it,” said Mehta. “I did. I just, literally, raised my hand at the end of a conference and said, ‘How do I get involved?’ And that’s exactly what happened. A few years later I became Chairman of the Maryland Association of CPAs.”

About the Chair

Mehta currently serves as the Chief Strategist for Analytical Mechanics Associates, Inc. (AMA). AMA has worked with government and commercial organizations solving the toughest engineering, science and business problems. With more than 40 years of experience in government contracting, Mehta provides expertise in key areas of business development, strategic planning, and operational improvements across AMA.

Over his career, Mehta has served in several volunteer roles: the AICPA Board of Directors, the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants (Association) Board of Directors, the AICPA Business and Industry Executive Committee, the AICPA Political Action Committee and AICPA Council.

Mehta was the Chair (2012-2013) of the Maryland Association of Certified Public Accountants (MACPA). He serves on the Government Contractors Committee for the MACPA and chaired the committee for two years (2001-2003).

Mehta is a former board member and past president of the Maryland Space Business Roundtable. He is also a seventh-degree Master Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do and has been teaching martial arts and operating a karate school for the past 35 years.

Mehta has a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from the University of Maryland, College Park. He also serves on the Board of Advisors for the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business and Accounting and Information Assurance Department.

BMSS Advisors & CPAs welcomes senior manager, Wendy Lacey! Lacey has almost 30 years of experience in public accounting and will use her expertise to focus on State and Local Tax (SALT) and tax planning strategies for multi-state businesses.

Bern, Butler, Capilouto, & Massey PC is pleased to announce the promotions of Mike Celka, Lara Bern Knight, James Hill, and Jim Crumpton to the position of shareholder.

Mike Celka, CPA has over 30 years’ experience as a CPA and has been with BBC&M for 15 years. He is responsible for managing governmental, small business, and individual clients with audit and tax compliance services. He also coordinates our quality control program. Mike graduated from Troy University with a Bachelor’s degree in accounting.

Lara Bern Knight, CPA (not pictured) is a second generation shareholder and has been with the BBC&M for 21 years. Lara provides clients with accounting & assurance services, and tax planning and compliance services. She specializes in estate and gift areas, family partnerships, closely held business, and the real-estate industry. Lara graduated the University of Alabama with a Bachelor’s degree in accounting and a Master’s of Tax Accounting.

James Hill, CPA has been with BBC&M for 18 years. His work includes tax planning and tax compliance for numerous clients and has a niche in the construction industry. James Graduated Troy University Montgomery with his Bachelor’s degree in accounting.

Jim Crumpton, CPA joined the Firm in 2007. He has provided clients with tax planning and compliance services as well as accounting and audit services with a concentration in governmental and non-profit. Jim has also been an active member of professional and community-based organizations, serving on various committees and boards. He currently serves as Chairman of Easterseals of Central Alabama, Secretary of Habitat for Humanity Autauga / Chilton Counties, and Vice President of the Prattville High School Soccer Boosters Club. Jim received his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Auburn University Montgomery.

Machen McChesney, one of the region’s leading CPA and business advisory firms, is pleased to announce Reid B. Gavin, AuD, MBA, has been named the firm’s new Chief Operating Officer.

A senior executive with 15 years of experience, Reid excels in leading organizations and teams to deliver excellence to clients while driving sustainable growth. Throughout his career, he has held executive roles in operations, quality assurance, and business development in various medical provider establishments.

Reid has a strong track record of challenging organizations to achieve their potential. As Machen McChesney continues to evolve and grow, Reid’s operations expertise will be key in accomplishing our goals to better serve clients, recruit and retain top talent, and positively impact our communities.

Reid obtained his MBA from the University of TennesseeChattanooga, his Doctorate in Audiology from Auburn University, and his Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication from Auburn University.

We are excited to have Reid officially join Machen McChesney, said Michael D. Machen, CPA, CVA, the firm’s managing partner. “He complements our highperformance culture, and his impressive execution of achieving results makes him the perfect choice to lead operations as we continue to grow and “Return Value.”

Financial integrity earns Presbyterian Home for Children Four-Star Rating from Charity Navigator

The nation’s leading evaluator of charities has given the Presbyterian Home for Children a top rating in recognition of its operational excellence and integrity. Their board of trustees credits two ASCPA members: CEO Doug Marshall and Controller Sam Allison.

The Home, located in Talladega, earned a coveted Four-Star Rating from Charity Navigator, a designation achieved by only one in four charities. After an extensive evaluation, the Home earned high marks for its financial efficiency, sustainability and trustworthiness, as well as its commitment to good governance practices.

Charity Navigator said the Four-Star Rating designates PHFC as an official “Give with Confidence” charity, indicating that the organization is using its donations effectively based on Charity Navigator’s criteria. Charity Navigator has been an unbiased and trusted source of information for more than 11 million donors annually.

Accounting Today 2023 Recognition

We are thrilled to announce that BMSS is now ranked the #106 largest firm in the United States by Accounting Today. BMSS has also been named a 2023 “Firm to Watch” and “Regional Leader” for another year.

BMSS Earns “Best Place for Working Parents® 2023” Designation

BMSS is honored to be named one of Huntsville’s “Best Place for Working Parents®” for 2023! As a firm, our goal is to provide excellent work to our clients, while emphasizing life/work balance for our team members.

BMSS Presents: Leadership Lessons from the War in Ukraine

On March 21, Duncan Hulsey, Ph.D. from Blankenship & Seay, dove into why Russia has been largely unsuccessful in its war in Ukraine. What sets the countries apart is the difference in leadership styles, with Putin’s desire to keep all decisions and reasons at the highest possible level, while Zelenskyy delegates and makes use of social media to communicate with the public. To watch the webinar recording, scan the QR code or go to “Previous Webinars” under “Events” at bmss.com.

Subcontractors Association of Alabama

In March, our team members met with general contractors from all over the southeast at the SubAla Meet the GC’s Expo.

In addition to a Top 100 ranking, Mauldin & Jenkins was one of 12 Georgia firms to also be named one of Accounting Today’s Regional Leaders for 2023. The Southeast had the highest average firm growth rate for the year, increasing 8 percentage points over last year.

Multiple geographic and strategic service line acquisitions as well as increased efficiency due to new technologies are just a few of the contributing factors Managing Partner Hanson Borders credits to the firm’s significant growth over the past year.

“I am proud of the way our firm has responded to clients’ evolving needs,” said Borders. “Focusing on new avenues for growth both geographically and in industry specialization has allowed us to better align our services with our client’s values and financial goals.”

Innovations to traditional service areas are also responsible and reflect the industry’s overall transformation.

“Due to the vast number of technological advances that have emerged over the past several years, we have seen a shift in the way traditional services are performed,” shared Borders. “The industry’s expansion beyond conventional accounting needs and the adoption of new technology has provided us with opportunities to broaden the scope of our services and expertise, increase efficiency, and better serve the needs of our clients.”

Warren Averett Named A Top 100 Firm, A Top Tax Firm And A Regional Leader By Accounting Today

Warren Averett CPAs and Advisors was named on three of Accounting Today’s lists for 2023. The firm has been named a Top 100 Firm, a Top Tax Firm and a Regional Leader. These lists are ranked based on 2022 revenue, and other information that firms provide, and showcase accounting firms that have shown growth and innovation.

To determine these rankings, Accounting Today surveyed approximately 300 tax and accounting firms from all over the country. The results provided meaningful insights into the landscape of the accounting profession.

Mauldin & Jenkins Named One of Accounting Today’s Top 100 Firms, Regional Leaders for 2023

For the 29th year in a row, leading accounting and advisory firm Mauldin & Jenkins is proud to share that it has been named one of Accounting Today’s Top 100 Firms for 2023. Coming in at number 73, the firm jumped four spots over last year’s ranking.

Warren Averett was ranked #42 on the Top 100 Firms list. The list reported the strongest growth (based on combined revenues of the 100 firms) in almost 25 years, and overall employee numbers grew despite the ongoing war for talent. The firm placed at #3 as a Regional Leader in the Gulf Coast, which covers the states of Alabama, Florida, Louisiana and Mississippi. Lastly, the firm received the Top Tax Firm designation, distinguishing Warren Averett from other accounting and advisory firms within their local footprints.

“It is an honor to receive these distinctions from Accounting Today,” said Mary Elliott, CPA, the firm’s Chief Executive Officer. “We are always striving to showcase our firm’s strength, presence and leadership in the accounting industry, and each of these designations is evidence of our team’s passionate commitment to support and serve our clients well.”