MEMBER NEWS Joshua Russell was one of only 30 CPAs honored by the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) as a member of the Leadership Academy’s 12th graduating class. Josh was selected based on his exceptional leadership skills and professional experience for the four-day Leadership Academy program, which will be held October 5-8, 2020 Josh works with the firm of Patterson Prince and Associates, P.C., Florence, AL. He is a manager with almost five years of experience with the firm. Before moving to Florence, AL, Josh lived and worked in Kansas and is a 2013 graduate of Washburn University, Topeka, Kansas. Josh is a licensed CPA and a CFE, Certified Fraud Examiner. Currently, Josh is a leader of the ASCPA’s Young CPA Cabinet. He is also involved in his local community serving on the boards for NextGen Shoals and Easterseals of Northwest Alabama and is also an Ambassador for the Shoals Chamber of Commerce. The AICPA Leadership Academy was designed to strengthen and expand the leadership skills of promising young professionals while they network with a peer group of talented and motivated CPAs. The Leadership Academy features career-development workshops and sessions with some of the accounting profession’s most prominent influencers, including Tracey Golden, CPA, CGMA, chairman of the AICPA and Barry Melancon, CPA, CGMA, AICPA president and CEO, Association of Certified Professional Accountants CEO. Participants were selected from public accounting firms of all sizes, business and industry, academia and consulting firms. The 2020 Leadership Academy attendees were recommended by their employers, state CPA societies and/or volunteer organizations. Candidates submitted resumes and a statement explaining how participating in the Leadership Academy would impact them personally and professionally. They also wrote an essay on the topic “The future will bring significant changes to the accounting profession. What do leaders have to get right in order to successfully lead?” To date, more than 385 CPAs have participated in the AICPA Leadership Academy, including several Alabama CPAs. Many of the young women and men have gone on to accept leadership positions in their firms, businesses and volunteer organizations. For more information about the AICPA Leadership Academy, visit AICPA.org/Leadership. Anglin Reichmann Armstrong is pleased to announce that Ryan Campbell, CGMA, CVA will joined its Pensacola office as Partner in Charge this July. As Partner in Charge, Ryan leads management responsibilities and decisions for the Pensacola office. Additionally, he brings a depth of experience and knowledge in key industries that Anglin serves, including Manufacturing, Construction, Government Contracting, Health Care and Real Estate. A Certified Valuation Analyst, Ryan has a special focus on CFO and outsourced accounting advisory services, R&D credits, business valuations and accounting systems. He joined Anglin in 2003 and quickly became active in young professional and small business groups in Huntsville. Ryan and his family will relocate to Pensacola to take on his new role.
Borland Benefield, P.C. is beyond pleased to announce the promotions of Clay Clark to Manager and Leigh Anna Hall to Supervisor. Clay graduated from Auburn University and has over 6 years of experience in audits, reviews, compilations, and tax services. Leigh Anna is a graduate of Auburn University and has over 11 years of experience in tax and accounting services. Please join us in congratulating our two esteemed colleagues on their recent promotions. In a year of extraordinary events and challenges, BMSS Advisors & CPAs’ Don Murphy was one of 10 managing partners throughout the country to be selected for Accounting Today’s 2020 Managing Partner Elite list. The MP Elite are chosen annually based upon sustainable firm growth, strategic planning, diversity and inclusion, innovation and technology, and cultivation of strong firm culture. For 2020, a managing partner’s ability to lead throughout COVID-19, an extended busy season and transitioning to a primarily remote workforce was taken into consideration. Under Murphy’s leadership, BMSS has grown from three original founders with no clients or staff to one of the most respected and largest firms in Alabama with four locations and almost 200 employees. In addition to the CPA firm’s extraordinary growth, BMSS has continued to create value-added companies to help fulfill the multifaceted personal and business needs of its clients. “Our goal has been to create a one-stop shop for our clients’ personal and business needs,” said Murphy. “We launched Abacus Technologies, our managed IT solutions and cybersecurity company, in 2000. Payroll & Benefit Solutions (PBS) was established in 2005, followed by BMSS Wesson Wealth Solutions in 2016 and PBS PEO in 2017. Most recently, in an effort to serve our clients’ advisory needs, we created our Business Advisory and Consulting Services practice area which includes business restructuring and turnaround services, human resources and government contracting consulting.” “I strive to encourage the BMSS team and empower them to do their job while not micromanaging their performance. I also truly love all of our people and try to contribute to the BMSS “family” feel that I believe has helped us create our firm culture.”
BMSS Advisors & CPAs is also pleased to announce that Emily Riles, Tyler Roberts, and Molly Smith have recently been promoted to Supervisor.
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