Professionals on the Move: Feb. 2022

Adam Aucoin, CPA, MSA; Matthew Landon, CPA, EA, MSAT; Kimberly Pecora, CPA, MBA; and Leanne Scott, JD, LL.M. have been promoted to tax principals. Christopher Hussey, CPA, has been promoted to managing director in the tax department.

Based in Portland, Adam Aucoin most recently worked as a senior manager in the tax department since 2018. He joined BNN in 2012, previously working for a small firm in the Bangor, Maine region and specializes in serving banks and financial institutions, with expertise in corporate tax planning, multistate tax compliance and tax provision compliance. He earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a master’s in accounting from University of Maine-Orono.

Matthew Landon has more than 20 years of experience in tax and accounting, with expertise in tax consultation, planning and advisory services for closely-held businesses and their owners as well as real estate and private equity syndicators. He earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Central Connecticut State University and a master’s in accounting and taxation from University of Hartford. He works out of BNN’s Woburn office.

Kimberly Pecora, who joined the firm’s Manchester office in 2019, specializes in tax planning and preparation for high-net-worth individuals, trusts and estates as well as pass-through entities, corporations and nonprofits. Pecora earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Franklin Pierce College and a master’s in business administration from Southern New Hampshire University.

Leanne Scott will serve as principal in the firm’s Boston tax practice, specializing in state and local taxation of businesses and individuals. In 2021, she was recognized as a recipient of the Massachusetts Society of CPA’s “Women to Watch Award” for outstanding contributions to the accounting profession and her community. Scott holds a bachelor’s degree from Louisiana State University, a juris doctor from Emory University School of Law and a LL.M. in taxation from Boston University School of Law.

A tax professional with more than 15 years of experience, Christopher Hussey takes on the role of managing director in the tax department based out of BNN’s Manchester, N.H. offices. Specializing in high-net-worth individuals and family groups, he also focuses on real estate holdings, operating businesses, partnership, stock options and hedge funds. Hussey earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration and master’s in accounting from the University of New Hampshire.

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Nathan Wechsler Announces New Promotion

The regional accounting firm of Nathan Wechsler & Company, PA recently announced that Kayla Tilton, CPA has been promoted to manager.

Tilton joined the firm in 2014, shortly after earning her undergraduate degree. She earned her master’s degree and her CPA designation concurrently with serving fulltime on the Nathan Wechsler & Company, PA team. Tilton specializes in performing tax work for individuals, trusts, and pass-through entities.  

Tilton studied at Southern New Hampshire University, earning a Bachelor of Business Administration in Business Administration/Accounting in 2014 and a Master of Science in Accounting with a concentration in Taxation in 2016.

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RH CPAs Chief Visionary Officer Announces Industry Veterans Joining RH CPAs

Accounting, tax and advisory firm RH CPAs, based in Lexington, NC, recently announced three new hires. Yasir Abdul Karim, ACCA, Zameer Ahmed and Zain Iftikhar, ACA are all coming on as senior audit associates in the firm’s Karachi, Pakistan office. 

Karim, with 10 years of audit and assurance experience including 7.5 at KPMG, is joining as a senior audit associate in the Karachi office. He will work in audit for insurance companies both on-shore and off-shore.

Ahmed, with 8.5 years of experience including 5 years in audit and assurance at KPMG, is joining as a senior audit associate in the Karachi office. He will work in audit for insurance companies both on-shore and off-shore.

Iftikhar, with 9 years of experience including 5.5 years in audit and assurance at EY, is joining as a senior audit associate in the Karachi office. He will work in audit for insurance companies both on-shore and off-shore. 

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HCJ CPAs & Advisors PLLC Announces New Manager

HCJ CPAs & Advisors PLLC, based in Little Rock, AR, recently announced the addition of Spencer Freyaldenhoven, CPA to its professional team.

Freyaldenhoven joins the firm as a manager in the tax department. A professional in the field since 2017, most recently she served as a tax manager with another local accounting firm, with which she spent just over four years.

A graduate of the University of Central Arkansas, Freyaldenhoven earned a bachelor of business administration in accounting in 2016 and a master of accountancy in 2017. She is currently affiliated with the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), the Arkansas Society of CPAs (ARCPA), and the 20^th Century Club.

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Armanino Announces New CFO, Leadership Roles to Drive Client Growth and Success

Armanino LLP, one of the 25 largest accounting and business consulting firms in the U.S., recently announced expansion of two of the firm’s leadership teams, its board of partners and operating leadership team (formerly operating committee).

Armanino’s new leadership appointments and changes include:

• John Kogan will become Armanino’s chief financial officer effective March 1, 2022. With a background leading strategic finance and accounting outsourcing groups as a partner within Armanino’s consulting and business outsourcing services groups, Kogan has also held operating finance roles at Allied Signal and Cisco, served as VP of finance at Cardinal Health and has been CEO and CFO for several growth companies.
• Armanino’s new growth office is led by partner Tom Mescall, who assumes the role of chief growth officer after leading Armanino’s consulting practice for more than 17 years. Under Mescall’s leadership, Armanino’s consulting team experienced rapid growth in headcount and revenue and earned recognition as a value-added reseller and partner to numerous software companies.
• Partner Larry Hancock has been named chief communications officer, overseeing Armanino’s internal communications group and executive communications functions that amplify the firm’s shared purpose, values and vision. Hancock was previously vice president of AMF Media Group, Armanino’s media and communications services agency.
• Armanino’s new transformation and practice excellence team is led by partner Cody Page, who leads this group after serving in the tax COO role for the last three years. During his tenure, Page worked with Armanino’s tax team to scale as it doubled in revenue to a national multi-specialty practice through organic and inorganic growth and strategic partnerships
• The operating leadership team adds Ryan Prindiville (consulting leader), Carol Ann Nash (chief people officer) and Caroline Stovall (CFO advisory practice leader and Texas geographic leader). This team drives Armanino’s strategy and direction and with new members will bring fresh perspectives to the day-to-day management of the firm’s service lines, industries and geographies.
• The board of partners adds Dean Quiambao (business development leader) and Jenn McCabe (consulting). Katerina Starkova (audit) and Min Riblett (tax) have been elected to serve as the chair and vice chair of the firm’s board of partners.