Professionals on the Move – October 2023

Harlow advises clients throughout the supply chain ranging from independent operators to vertically integrated operators in the largest legal cannabis markets in the country. He is a nationally recognized and sought-after cannabis and tax thought leader who frequently speaks on webinars and at industry and public policy conferences for organizations such as the Congressional Black Caucus Conference, AICPA, and Cannabis World Congress & Business Exposition. Harlow has been quoted in national publications including Forbes, CPA Trendlines, and numerous cannabis industry publications. He has served as a guest lecturer on accounting and tax issues within the cannabis industry for the accounting programs at the University of Maryland and Howard University.

Centri Welcomes Tim Cobb to Lead New Tax Advisory Practice

Philadelphia, Pa. (September 21, 2023) – Centri Business Consulting, LLC, one of the industry’s fastest-growing and most respected accounting and advisory firms, recently announced that Partner Tim Cobb has joined to lead the firm’s new Tax Advisory practice. 

Tim brings over 20 years of experience in tax strategy and planning, M&A, tax accounting, tax function transformation, and leadership across all stages of the corporate life cycle, from private equity to public, to his new role at Centri. 

Centri’s Tax Advisory services are the latest offering to help its clients navigate an increasingly complex and fast-moving business environment. The team’s suite of services will include tax provision preparation, tax due diligence, tax internal controls, SALT (State and Local Tax) support, as well as credit and incentive strategies and support.

Prior to joining Centri, Tim served as the Vice President of Global Tax at Glatfelter, overseeing global tax functions encompassing tax accounting, audit defense, mergers and acquisition planning and accounting, internal controls (SOX), process/system improvement, strategic planning, development and maintenance of Centers of Excellence, and transfer pricing planning, documentation, and defense. Tim was also on the Board of Directors for the foreign entities at Glatfelter.

Tim received a Bachelor of Science degree from North Carolina State University. He also received his M.S. in Business Management from North Carolina State University and his Master of Accounting degree from Kenan-Flagler Business School at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He is a Certified Public Accountant in North Carolina.

Three CPAs selected as Maryland’s ‘Women to Watch’ for 2023

Three outstanding business leaders were recently chosen by the Maryland Association of CPAs as Maryland’s “Women to Watch” for 2023.

The honorees are:

• Christa Hood, CPA, LLC member and managing partner at Askey, Askey and Associates, CPA, LLC, in the “Emerging Leader” category.
  
  
• Samantha Haines, CPA, director of Tax Services at Rosen, Sapperstein and Friedlander, LLC, in the “Emerging Leader” category.
  
  
• Samantha Bowling, CPA, CFE, CGMA, managing partner at Garbelman Winslow CPA, in the “Experienced Leader” category.

Launched in 2014, the awards highlight the accomplishments and contributions of women in the CPA profession and demonstrate to emerging female leaders that success is not out of reach.

Emerging Leader: Christa Hood, CPA

Christa Hood is LLC member and managing partner of Askey, Askey and Associates. The impact of Christa’s innovative thinking and technology adoption as owner have positively impacted both the firm’s operations and culture. She is a member of the Leadership of Southern Maryland’s Board of Directors, underscoring her deep  commitment to nurturing and empowering the leaders of tomorrow, a value that she holds dear both professionally and personally.

Emerging Leader: Samantha Haines, CPA
Samantha Haines is director of Tax Services at RS&F, where she has helped streamline operations and is viewed as an extension of her client’s team, always working in their best interests. Sam supervises many team members and goes above and beyond for her clients, colleagues, community, and the profession. Her dedication to community service is reflected in her active involvement with both Towson University’s MentHER program and Autism Speaks.

Other honorees in the Emerging Leader category are:

• Erin Clark, CPA, audit manager at SEK CPAs & Advisors.
• Sabrina Knott, CPA, CGMA, director of Tax and Compliance at Enterprise Community Partners, Inc.
• Elizabeth McPherson, CPA, tax director at CliftonLarsonAllen, LLP.
• Christie Stravino, CPA, MS, tax partner at Cohen & Company.
• Melissa Tarkett, CPA, MST, tax partner at Aprio LLP.
• Taylor Tharp, CPA, assurance manager at RSM US LLP.

Experienced Leader: Samantha Bowling, CPA, CFE, CGMA

Samantha Bowling is managing partner of Garbelman Winslow CPAs. She has dedicated her life to making this profession better, both for employees at GW CPAs and for the wider profession through her volunteer efforts within the MACPA, the AICPA Council, and the Auditing Standards Board. Her mentorship has not only shaped careers but has also fostered a sense of camaraderie and community within her firm, the MACPA, and the AICPA.

Other nominees in the Experienced Leader category are:

• Judy Barnhard, CPA, CFP, CDFA, executive vice president and director of Professional Services, Wealth Managing and Financial Planning Services at Councilor, Buchanan and Mitchell.
• Monique Booker, CPA, founding partner at SB & Company, LLC.
• Kim Chaney, CPA, owner of Kimberly S. Chaney CPA LLC.
• Meg DeGroat, CPA, director at SC&H Group, LLC.
• Nelly Gizdova, CPA, MS, partner at UHY LLP and UHY Mid-Atlantic Advisors.
• Susanne Holloway, MBA, CPA, professor of the practice, Salisbury University.
• Joan Leanos, CPA, director at Strategic Tax Planning CPAs LLC.
• Rachel Mahmood, CPA, principal at CliftonLarsonAllen LLP.
• Randi Marquez, MST, CPA, managing senior partner, Liptz, Roberts & Marquez, Chartered, Certified Public Accountants.
• Shelley Romano, CPA, partner and managing director, UHY LLP and UHY Mid-Atlantic Advisors.
• Janice Stucke, CPA, chief financial officer at Achieving the Dream, Inc.
• Kate Vasiliev, CPA, partner and managing director at UHY LLP and UHY Mid-Atlantic Advisors.

The 2023 MACPA “Women to Watch” awards were made possible by the MACPA Foundation, which is committed to building a diverse CPA talent pipeline to secure the future of our profession.