Professionals on the Move: Feb. 2021

BNN received a Net Promoter® Score of 86, more than three times the industry’s average of 23 in 2020. Additionally, BNN received satisfaction scores of 9 or 10 out of 10 from 89% of clients, significantly higher than the industry’s average of 43% in 2020 and received ratings from 20% of clients, giving a comprehensive view into the high-quality service provided across the company.

Nathan Wechsler Announces New Principal

The regional accounting firm of Nathan Wechsler & Company, PA is pleased to announce the promotion of Matthew Nadeau, CPA, CVA, CFE.

Nadeau became familiar with Nathan Wechsler in 2009, when he first joined the firm as an intern. After graduating from college, he spent just under two years with a Big Four firm before joining the Nathan Wechsler team fulltime in 2012 as an associate. With this promotion, which will go into effect in the summer of 2021, Nadeau takes on the role of principal. A well-rounded professional, Nadeau works on all phases of audit and tax engagements, including planning, preparing financial statements, and formulating income tax returns.

In 2010, Nadeau graduated from Bentley University, earning a Bachelor of Science in Corporate Finance and Accounting. He went on to study at Stetson University, graduating in 2011 with a Master of Science in Accounting. An active participant in the professional community, Nadeau is currently affiliated with the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and the New Hampshire Society of Certified Public Accountants (NHSCPA). He is the immediate past President and current Board Member of Second Start in Concord, NH.  

UHY Advisors Announces New Managing Director

UHY Advisors announced John Ferro has been hired as a Managing Director in the firm’s Business Valuation Group. Based in New York, NY, Ferro advises clients on a range of valuation issues, including their corporate finance, restructuring, and IPO needs.

Ferro has over 37 years of experience providing financial advisory services including valuation, corporate finance, restructuring, and accounting, focusing on valuation services, financial and tax reporting, and support for transactions and M&A, as well as company restructurings, reorganizations, and litigation.

Ferro is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants. He is a licensed CPA in the state of New York and holds additional ABV, CEIV, and CVA certifications. Ferro holds a B.S. in accounting from St. Francis College.

UHY Expands Farmington Leadership with Promotions of Two Women

UHY Advisors (“UHY”) announced the promotion of Stacy Farber and Neha Nathwani to Principal. Both Farber and Nathwani began this past year in June and August, respectively. Farber works with clients to address their audit needs and Nathwani advises clients in regard to tax issues, with both providing business planning and advisory services to middle-market clients in the firm’s northeast region.

Farber brings over two decades of financial leadership and auditing experience. Additionally, Farber performs compilations, reviews and audits for clients in the manufacturing and distribution, retail and not-for-profit industries, as well as employee benefit plan audits, across various industries.

Nathwani holds a decade of tax experience in the accounting profession and provides tax preparation services to businesses and individuals and develops tax-efficient strategies with a concentration in dental and physician groups including multi-specialty practices.

Farber holds a B.S. in Financial Accounting and Psychology from Bryant University, while Nathwani holds an M.S. in Taxation from Baruch College.

Withum Welcomes Bill Bradshaw in New Director of Inclusion and Diversity Role

Withum, a nationally ranked Top 25 advisory and accounting firm with corporate offices based in Princeton, NJ, appointed Bill Bradshaw as the Firm’s first Director of Inclusion and Diversity.

The Director of Inclusion and Diversity will head the Firm’s I&D Initiatives by overseeing its strategy and objectives, including advancing diverse leaders, fostering an inclusive workplace, and collaborating with leadership to provide broad perspectives and innovative client solutions.

Bill joins Withum from his most recent role on the National Inclusion and Diversity Team at a Big Four firm. He worked across multi-dimensions of diversity and has collaborated with leaders at all levels. He is a sought after thought leader in the I&D space and was named to the 2019 NJ Out 100 Power List for his work in leading LGBTQ workplace inclusion.

Seim Johnson Welcomes New Staff Accountant

Seim Johnson happily welcomes the addition of Trey Taubenheim to the firm as a tax associate. 

Previously a tax and audit intern at Seim Johnson, Taubenheim will now work full-time in the tax department to prepare and reconcile individual, business, nonprofit, and limited liability company tax returns. A graduate of the University of Nebraska at Kearney, Taubenheim graduated in 2020 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration.

RubinBrown Welcomes Mike Drevline as Partner

RubinBrown, one of the nation’s top 50 accounting and business consulting firms, recently welcomed Mike Drevline as Partner in the Business Advisory Services Group in the Chicago office.

Mike has over 25 years of technology, cyber security, risk management, public sector consulting and client development experience. He gained this experience during his tenure with Hewitt Associates (acquired by Aon Corporation), multiple Department of Defense offices and initiatives, and as a tier-1 contracting leader for U.S. intelligence agencies (CONUS/OCONUS). Mike also served in the U.S. Army Special Forces (12th & 20th Special Forces Groups, USASOC, SOCOM).

Mike holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Accounting from Roosevelt University.

IRS names Sieger to permanent position of CIO

The Internal Revenue Service recently announced that Nancy Sieger has been selected as the Chief Information Officer. She has served as acting CIO since June 2019.

Sieger is responsible for all aspects of IT systems that operate the nation’s tax infrastructure. She oversees the 7,000-person IT organization that maintains hundreds of systems and supports the processing of millions of tax returns annually. A graduate of the IRS 2004 Executive Development class, Nancy has a strong business background. Prior to joining the IT organization, she served in several headquarters and field positions in both Wage and Investment and Small Business/Self Employed Operating Divisions. Sieger is the recipient of Fed Scoop 50 awards for exemplary Federal Leadership, a Gears of Government President’s Award and is a graduate of the University of Maryland.

Jeffrey Hendel Named to Forbes List of Best In-State Wealth Advisors

Jeffrey Hendel, President & CEO, of Hendel Wealth Management Group was among the Raymond James-affiliated advisors named to the Forbes list of Best-In-State Wealth Advisors. The list, which recognizes advisors from national, regional and independent firms, was released online February 11, 2021.

The Forbes ranking of Best-In-State Wealth Advisors, developed by SHOOK Research, is based on an algorithm of qualitative criteria, mostly gained through telephone and in-person due diligence interviews, and quantitative data. Those advisors that are considered have a minimum of seven years’ experience, and the algorithm weights factors like revenue trends, assets under management, compliance records, industry experience.

Hendel, who joined Raymond James in 2019, has more than 24 years of experience in the financial services industry.

Peter Smith Named Principal at Kaufman Rossin

Kaufman Rossin, one of the top 100 CPA and advisory firms in the U.S. and the largest independent accounting firm in Florida, announced it has promoted Peter Smith, CVA, to principal in the firm’s forensic, advisory, and valuation services practice.

Smith leads the firm’s business valuation practice and has extensive consulting and valuation experience, focusing on the valuation of public and closely held businesses, business interests, intangible assets, and intellectual property for purposes such as financial statement reporting, tax planning, and litigation support.

Smith joined the firm in 2010 and serves clients across the United States and internationally, across several industries, including real estate, construction, healthcare, technology, manufacturing, distribution, retail, hospitality, and professional services. He received his Bachelor’s and Master’s in Accounting at Florida International University and is a life-long Miami resident.

José Cúneo Named Principal at Kaufman Rossin

Kaufman Rossin, one of the top 100 CPA and advisory firms in the U.S. and the largest independent accounting firm in Florida, announced the promotion of José Cúneo, CPA, CFF, CVA, CFE, to principal. Cuneo is a leader in the firm’s forensic, advisory and valuation practice.

Cúneo provides consulting and expert witness testimony on accounting and general commercial matters, as well as financial fraud investigations, embezzlement investigations and various due diligence matters. He joined the firm in 2012, bringing his extensive experience in forensic investigations of public, private, government and non-profit entities.

Cúneo is a Certified Public Accountant in Florida, Certified Valuation Analyst, Certified Fraud Examiner and Certified in Financial Forensics. He is also a board member of Legal Services of Greater Miami.

Evan Morgan Named Tax Principal at Kaufman Rossin

Kaufman Rossin, one of the top 100 CPA and advisory firms in the U.S. and the largest independent accounting firm in Florida, announced the promotion of Evan S. Morgan, CPA, to principal in the tax department.

Morgan has decades of experience, providing income tax consulting and compliance services to business entities of various sizes in many industries, including construction, manufacturing, health care, professional service firms, real estate and technology. He is a valuable and knowledgeable resource to his clients.

He has been a Certified Public Accountant since 1985. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and the Florida Institute of Certified Public Accountants (FICPA). He has served as Chairman of the Audit Committee for the United Way of Miami-Dade County. Morgan has also been quoted and featured in several national, trade and local media publications, including CNBC, Forbes and the South Florida Business Journal.

Rob Pruitt Named BKD’s First Chief Practice Officer

East Region Managing Partner (MP) Rob Pruitt was named BKD CPAs & Advisors’ first chief practice officer (CPO), effective June 1, 2021. This addition will allow the firm to prioritize new services and solutions for its clients.

Rob will be charged with primary responsibility for the firm’s organic growth activities—providing executive leadership, sponsorship, coordination and guidance of national industry partners (NIP) and practices—and internal firm growth initiatives, including oversight of Governing Board growth initiatives and the BKD Growth Fund, BKD EDGE product development initiatives and management as new products and services are launched and Marketing & Business Development Department and go-to-market strategies.