Professionals on the Move – July 2022

The union will mark Eide Bailly’s first office in Nebraska and will bring 20 partners and 70 staff into Eide Bailly. The two firms are well acquainted with each other; Seim Johnson is a member of the Eide Bailly Alliance, a member-based association of non-competing CPA firms formed by Eide Bailly.

It was the knowledge of Eide Bailly’s culture and resources that made joining the firm attractive to Seim Johnson, said Jerry O’Doherty, Seim Johnson managing partner.

Along with the workplace culture fit, Seim Johnson’s history of dedicated client service and expertise in key industries make them a great addition to Eide Bailly, said Jeremy Hauk Eide Bailly managing partner/CEO.

Infantolino Joins CohnReznick as Principal in Technology+ Practice

CohnReznick LLP, one of the leading advisory, assurance, and tax firms in the United States, recently announced that John Infantolino has joined the firm as a principal in its Technology+ practice. Technology+ helps businesses optimize technology and data to drive finance, operations, productivity, customer experience, and performance. 

Based in Tysons, Virginia, Infantolinohas extensive experience in government contracting advising mid-sized contractors on large ERP Implementations. He has also led more than a dozen mid-size (100-200 million) to large (500 million) Deltek implementations focused on optimum GAAP and government accounting to maximize business benefits.

Before joining CohnReznick, Infantolino was Vice President – Enterprise Business Systems for a global defense and space manufacturing company. In this role, he was responsible for spearheading, leading, and delivering complex $200-300M Oracle to Deltek ERP implementations and other implementations involving ERP, time collection systems, quality systems, and various interfaces.

Erin Wagner Joined KSM as Director in Audit & Assurance Services Group June 24, 2022

Katz, Sapper & Miller, a leading advisory, tax, and audit firm, recently announced that Erin Wagoner has joined the firm as a director in its Audit & Assurance Services Group.

In her role, Wagoner will work closely with KSM’s audit leadership to improve the firm’s assurance function operations, with goals of developing a structure model centered on client service, preparing for the adoption of future technology, and implementing talent growth and development strategies.

Wagoner most recently served as the chief financial officer and operating officer for Servant Solutions, a not-for-profit financial services organization. Prior to joining Servant Solutions, Wagoner served as a professor of accounting at her alma mater, Anderson University. She began her career as an auditor for KSM in 2004 before transitioning into a business advisor role.

Wagoner serves on the board of Grace Horizon, a not-for-profit organization that helps survivors practice courage and rediscover wholeness when recovering from violence and exploitation.

In addition to graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in accounting from Anderson University, Wagoner earned a Master of Science in accounting from Ball State University. She is based in KSM’s Indianapolis office.

Bennett Thrasher Elects Jeff Call as Managing Partner

Bennett Thrasher, one of the nation’s largest and fastest-growing certified public accounting and consulting firms, recently announced the elevation of Jeff Call to Managing Partner. At the forefront of exceptional growth and expansion for Bennett Thrasher, Jeff will lead the firm through evolution in new markets and services to help the firms’ clients continue to succeed and grow.  

As Managing Partner, Jeff will direct the firm’s strategic plan, growth and continue to advance the firm’s culture. He will drive Bennett Thrasher’s key initiatives and vision for the future as the firm continues to explore new markets and expand its services.

Jeff has been included on the Atlanta Magazine Five-Star Wealth Manager list every year for nearly a decade. Prior to joining Bennett Thrasher in 2002, he worked for Arthur Andersen and Deloitte as a Manager in their Private Client Services practice. Jeff is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) and has also earned the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants Personal Financial Specialist (PFS) designation.

Jeff holds a master’s degree in accountancy and a Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting, both from Auburn University. He is a member of Vistage, the Georgia Society of CPAs, the AICPAs Personal Financial Planning Section and the Atlanta Estate Planning Council.

Mazars in the US Appoints Evonne Chen as Tax Partner in Los Angeles

Mazars, a leading audit, tax and advisory firm in the US, recently announced that Evonne Zhiyun Chen has been appointed as the firm’s new Tax Partner in the Los Angeles office. With over 10 years of experience, Evonne will deliver her expert tax services to the Mazars practice in California across key sectors, while also overseeing Mazars China Tax Services.                    

With a tax career that began in 2013, Evonne is well known in the Los Angeles marketplace. She has extensive knowledge in corporate tax compliance and consulting across a range of industries, including manufacturing and distribution, food and beverage, private equity, health and wellness, and software as a service (SaaS).

Evonne received her Bachelor of Arts in business economics with a minor in accounting from the University of California, Los Angeles. Evonne is also a Certified Public Accountant in California and a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the California Society of CPAs.

Schneider Downs Announces Six New Members to Ownership Group

Schneider Downs, one of the 60 largest certified public accounting and business advisory firms in the United States, is proud to announce the addition of five new shareholders, as well as one new partner, to its affiliate, Schneider Downs Wealth Management Advisors, LP.

“We are thrilled to add these new members to our leadership team. At Schneider Downs, we are committed to the professional development of our people, so it is especially rewarding when we can draw from existing talent to expand our ownership group,” says Christopher S. McElroy, Co-CEO of Schneider Downs. “We have watched these talented individuals grow throughout their years with us, and we are confident that each of them will advance the future of our firm and community in their new roles. What is particularly exciting is that these leaders join 7 new shareholders and partners from last year–as well as the recent additions of 3 lateral shareholder hires–to bring our new leader total to 15 in just the past two years. Growth creates opportunities.”

The new promotions reach across several areas of the firm’s service offerings, including the firm’s tax, audit and consulting practices, as well as the growing wealth management practice. Included among those promoted to Shareholder at Schneider Downs are:

David J. Mitros joined the firm in 2019. He has 14 years of experience working with national and regional firms, providing tax services to a variety of manufacturing, construction and real estate clients. David has a focus on privately held organizations, working with management, owners and other stakeholders to identify and achieve tax related objectives. With Schneider Downs, he has frequently been a valuable resource, assisting the firm’s clients in significant M&A activity by leading transaction structuring negotiations. He is a graduate of Miami University and a member of both the American Institutes of Certified Public Accountants and the Ohio Society of Public Accountants.

Patricia R. Giudici joined the firm in 2016, following 12 years working for a regional and national firm. She has experience serving a diverse group of privately owned companies within the technology, distribution and logistics, manufacturing, real-estate and employee benefit plan industries, including significant experience working with start-up, private equity and venture capital backed companies. She is a graduate of Clarion University and is a member of the American and Pennsylvania Institutes of Certified Public Accountants. Patricia leads the firm’s Employee Benefit Plan Group. She is also a board member of Bethlehem Haven, an advisory council member for Standing Firm, a member of the planning committee for the St. Jude Gala, and a member of the Women’s Executive Board for the Pittsburgh Chapter of ACG.

Carley R. Taslov began her career at Schneider Downs in 2009 after graduation from Washington & Jefferson College. She specializes in helping clients identify, assess and manage risks through internal audit and risk management services. She delivers additional value to organizations in a variety of ways, including business process optimization and digital transformation. Carley’s expertise spans multiple industries and her contributions to the firm have come from within the Risk Advisory Services and External Audit departments. 

She is a member of the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accounts (PICPA) and the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA), as well as a board member for Lending Hearts, a Pittsburgh-based not-for-profit.

Eric M. Fair joined Schneider Downs in 2011 and has 11 years of experience leading teams and clients collaboratively through IT governance, risk & compliance initiatives, including but not limited to IT internal audit co-sourcing and outsourcing, SSAE 18, business continuity, disaster recovery, data privacy and cybersecurity consulting. Eric holds an M.S. in Internet Information Systems from Robert Morris University, a B.S. in Information Systems Management from Robert Morris University and an M.S. in Accounting from Liberty University. He currently serves on a local advisory board and as a co-chair to a local chapter dedicated to the industry. He has previously served on a local non-profit board and continues to participate in the mentorship program for his alma mater. Eric is one of only 95 active Certified Business Continuity Lead Auditors (CBCLA) globally and is also a Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA).

Derek J. Eichelberger has been with Schneider Downs Wealth Management Advisors, LP (SDWMA) since 2015 and serves as the practice’s Managing Partner. He advises high net-worth individuals, foundations, endowments and retirement plans. He is a graduate of Penn State University and received a Master of Business Administration from the University of Pittsburgh.

Schneider Downs Wealth Management Advisors, LP (SDWMA) also announced the promotion of a team member to the role of partner:

Michael J. Bucci has been with Schneider Downs for 12 years and currently leads the Investment Advisory practice for the SD Retirement Solutions division of Schneider Downs Wealth Management Advisors. He is a graduate of East Carolina University and a Certified Investment Management Analyst®.