Professionals on the Move – Jan. 2024

Professionals on the Move is a round-up of recent hiring and promotion announcements from around the profession.

Kavanagh joins CohnReznick as Assurance Partner

CohnReznick LLP, one of the leading advisory, assurance, and tax firms in the United States, recently announced that Charles (Chuck) Kavanagh, CPA has joined the firm as an assurance partner. Based in the Northeast, Kavanagh has more than two decades of experience providing attestation services, primarily across the consumer and industrial manufacturing industries including aerospace and defense, power production, life sciences, and plastics.

Before joining CohnReznick, Kavanagh was a partner for a Big 4 firm where he served as the audit engagement partner for two components of a Fortune 100 aerospace and defense company’s engagement and was the engagement partner at the issuer level for multiple SEC clients. He earned a BBA, Accounting, and MS, Accountancy, from the University of Notre Dame, is a licensed CPA in Connecticut, and has experience with Oracle and Hyperion.

BWK responds to increased demand, grows staff by 20% in 2023 

Minneapolis CPA firm Barton, Walter & Krier, P.C. (BWK) recently expanded its staff by 20%. The boost follows the hire of public accounting veteran Jay Trumbower as CEO in late 2022. The firm’s growth is also consistent with a nationwide trend for deep niche expertise at a personalized level. Drawing from Trumbower’s leadership experience, BWK specializes in serving small and middle market businesses throughout the Twin Cities metro and greater Midwest region. 

BWK’s new hires include: 

·      Andy Lindberg as Senior Tax  

·      Ciara Vanston as Staff Accountant

·      Diana Pilipchuk as Staff Accountant 

·      Jace Westman, CPA as Staff Accountant 

·      Lani Hattling, CPA as Senior Tax  

·      Matt Johnson, CPA as Senior Tax 

·      Stacy Behlivan as Bookkeeper 

BWK will look to bolster the tax, attest, bookkeeping, human resources consulting, and transaction advisory services departments in 2024 and is currently accepting applications. 

Whisman Giordano & Associates, LLC Names New Managing Director

Whisman Giordano & Associates, LLC (WGA) recently announced Lisa K. DeRose, CPA, CGMA, as its new Managing Director. DeRose is the first female Managing Director and a non-Giordano family member or Whisman to lead the firm. As she assumes this role, she will work with the partners and principals to ensure that WGA continues its mission of Building Extraordinary Relationships while complying with professional standards.

DeRose has over 35 years of experience. She joined WGA as a partner in 2013 and was named Chief Operating Officer this past March. DeRose is a recognized community leader with a solid commitment to mentoring. She helped found the Delaware chapter of the ACE Mentor Program in 2010. Since 2001, she has served as Treasurer to the Delaware chapter of the Construction Financial Management Association. She has received awards from both the ACE Mentor Program and Delaware Today Magazine and is a current board member of the Better Business Bureau Serving Delaware.

LGA, LLP Welcomes Jeffrey S. Levine, CPA, MST as Director of Financial Strategies

LGA, LLP, a leading CPA and business advisory firm in New England, recently announced the latest addition to its team, Jeffrey S. Levine, CPA, MST, as the Director of Financial Strategies. Jeff will work alongside the professional team at LGA to provide a more holistic service offering to their individual tax planning and compliance clients.

Jeff’s experience includes close to 43 years as co-founder and shareholder of a local accounting firm west of Boston, where he managed a client base of over 700 individuals, partnerships, fiduciary tax filings, and personal financial planning for his individual clients.

Jeff joining LGA is a significant step in LGA’s ongoing effort to diversify its expertise and enhance the comprehensive services offered to its clients. For more information about LGA, LLP and its services, please visit www.lga.cpa.

Bennett Thrasher Announces Partnership Promotions for Tim Brunelle and Chris Roane

Bennett Thrasher, one of the nation’s largest and fastest-growing certified public accounting and consulting firms, announced the promotions of Tim Brunelle and Chris Roane to partnership. Brunelle and Roane provide consulting and advisory services in the firm’s Tax and Dispute Resolution & Forensics practices.

Tim Brunelle’s journey to partnership at Bennett Thrasher is a testament to his dedication, expertise, and commitment to professional growth. Over 13 years, Tim has steadily climbed the ranks within the firm, showcasing his skills in the tax practice and becoming a pivotal figure in coordinating federal and state income tax consulting and compliance services for partnerships, S corporations, and individuals.

Tim’s academic foundation is rooted in the University of Georgia (UGA), where he earned his undergraduate and master’s degrees in accounting.

Chris Roane’s ascent to partnership at Bennett Thrasher reflects his comprehensive expertise and dedication within the Dispute Resolution and Forensics practice. Joining the firm in 2014, after a five-year tenure with KPMG, Chris has played a pivotal role in assisting clients with various services, including litigation support, corporate investigations, economic damage analyses, regulatory compliance reviews, and other forensic engagements.

Chris earned an accounting degree from the University of Georgia and a master’s degree in accountancy from Georgia State University. He is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in Georgia and holds additional certifications in fraud examination (CFE) and health care compliance (CHC), reflecting his commitment to excellence in his field.