Professionals on the Move – March 8, 2017

Grant Thornton Announces Leaders
Grant Thornton LLP recently announced the re-election of Brad Preber, CPA, CFF, CFE, CGMA, CCA, national managing partner for Business Risk Services and Jim Wittmer, CPA, partner and East region practice leader for Corporate Strategic Tax Services, as well as elected Bob Taylor, office managing partner in Cincinnati, to the firm’s Partnership Board. Preber has more than 35 years of experience, specializing in complex claims and events, commercial disputes and fraud claims. He has published a book and co-authored another. Preber is also a frequent speaker, writing contributor and teacher on topics such as leadership accounting and fraud.

Wittmer has more than 25 years of corporate tax experience serving public, private and foreign-owned companies in a variety of industries. He frequently lectures at Grant Thornton’s national and local tax education sessions, as well as to outside professional and business groups. Wittmer graduated from La Salle University with his Bachelor’s in Accounting Degree and received his Master in Taxation Degree from Villanova University School of Law.

Taylor has more than 20 years of business and accounting advisory experience. He has worked with multinational corporations doing succession planning, M&A and debt restructurings.

BerryDunn Announces Recent Hires
BerryDunn recently announced the hiring of Stephanie Chaca, accountant, Alexandra Hall, accountant and Morgan Hilow, auditor – all in the Audit and Accounting Group; Nicole Fellows, consultant, Susan Gard-Smith, senior consultant, Louis Krupp, cybersecurity consultant, James Quentin, consultant, Joseph Shagoury, consultant, Benjamin Smith, senior content editor and Matthew Tremblay, consultant – all in the Government Consulting Group; Kacie McNichol, tax specialist in the Tax Group; and Emily Marquis, event marketing coordinator in the Marketing Group.

Marks Paneth Announces Relocation of New Jersey Practice
Marks Paneth LLP recently announced the relocation of its New Jersey practice to an expanded space. The firm’s original New Jersey office was established when the firm acquired Fischer Barr & Wissinger, LLC. Marks Paneth recently opened new offices in New York and acquired several firms in New York City and Pennsylvania.

Rehmann Announces New Hires and Promotions
Rehmann recently announced the hiring of Michael Patterson, CPA as director of international tax and the promotions of Luke Terry, MBA, Cathy Shoemaker, CPA, Tony DiVito, CPA, CFE, Adam Williams, CPA, and Kristin (Saper) Hoogerwerf, CPA, CGFM to principal and Alex August, CPA to tax principal. In his new role, Patterson will focus on leading the international tax team, developing the practice and managing client relationships. He has more than 25 years of international taxation experience with an expertise in international tax compliance and consulting, cross-border financing, repatriation planning and international mergers and acquisitions. Patterson received his bachelor’s degree in accounting and his master of taxation from the University of Akron.

Terry specializes in investment analysis and portfolio design, financial planning, retirement and estate planning, insurance analysis and strategies, and private equity and venture capital opportunities. His clients include small- to mid-size business owners, high-net-worth individuals, medical professionals and families. Terry graduated with his bachelor’s degree in finance from Michigan State University, and his master’s degree of business administration from the University of Chicago.

Shoemaker has more than 10 years of taxation and estate planning experience, specializing in estate and gift tax planning, transfer of assets, trust and estate administration and compliance-related reporting. She received her bachelor’s degree in accounting from Ferris State University, her master’s degree in business from Davenport University and her master’s degree in taxation from Grand Valley State University.

August’s expertise includes international taxation, global structuring, tax consulting and compliance, federal and multistate taxation, estates and trusts and tax authority audits. He works with large closely-held and multinational companies. August earned his bachelor’s degree in accounting and master’s degree in business administration from Michigan State University.

DiVito specializes in small business consulting, with an emphasis on accounting software analysis, tax preparation, fraud investigation, internal controls, Form 1099 reporting, worker classification and payroll taxes. He is a Certified Advanced QuickBooks ProAdvisor and an Intacct Certified Services Provider, and serves as treasurer of the southeast Michigan chapter of the Weston A. Price Foundation. DiVito received his bachelor’s degree with concentrations in professional accounting and information systems and his master’s degree in computer information systems from the University of Michigan-Dearborn.

Williams has more than 15 years of accounting experience, specializing in tax planning and income taxes. He also consults with clients on the tax aspects of business formation, mergers and acquisitions and business turnarounds. Williams earned his bachelor’s degree in finance from Eastern Michigan University, his master’s degree in accounting from Western Michigan University and his Juris Doctor degree from Indiana University.

Hoogerwerf specializes in governmental and not-for-profit auditing, federal award compliance and auditing, and internal controls consulting. She has previously served with Rehmann’s governmental audit and assurance department and is a member of the firm’s government audit quality control subcommittee. Hoogerwerf holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Hope College.