Professionals on the Move - August 2023

Professionals on the Move is a round-up of recent hiring and promotion announcements from across the accounting space.

Schneider Downs Announces Seven Additions to Ownership Group

Schneider Downs, one of the 60 largest certified public accounting and business advisory firms in the United States, recently announced the addition of seven new shareholders to its ownership group.

The new promotions touch the firm’s offices in both Pittsburgh and Columbus, and they reach across several areas of the firm’s service offerings, including the firm’s Tax, Audit and Consulting practices, as well as the Merger and Acquisitions/Transaction Advisory practice.

Included among those promoted to Shareholder at Schneider Downs are:

Ryan R. Deatrick joined the firm in 2009. He provides accounting and assurance services to both public and privately held companies, primarily those within the construction and manufacturing sectors. He also has extensive experience serving the employee benefit plans of his clients. Ryan received both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from West Virginia University.

Woodrow M. Morris has over 10 years of public accounting experience in various areas of tax compliance and consulting. He is experienced in working with the management of closely held businesses in implementing tax-planning strategies, as well as providing private equity and capital groups with tax forecast, advisory and compliance-related services. He received both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Robert Morris University

Brett T. Cubellis has more than 10 years of experience providing tax advisory services to privately-held corporations, partnerships, LLCs and individual clients, advising on various issues involving federal, international and state and local tax matters. Brett’s primary focus is on tax planning, research and compliance issues for corporate and pass-through entities as well as individuals. Brett is a graduate of Youngstown State University.

James A. Sayre has more than 15 years of experience consulting and advising public and privately held clients in the areas of income and franchise taxation. James is one of the firm’s leading experts in accounting for income tax, including accounting for mergers and acquisitions, in accordance with ASC 740. He has served clients in various industries, including healthcare, retail, manufacturing, technology and professional services. James is a graduate of Youngstown State University.

William M. Deller Jr. has over 10 years of experience providing high-quality consulting, advisory and auditing services to clients across various industries, particularly in healthcare, technology, financial services, higher education, professional services and energy. William leads the Third-Party Risk Management (TPRM) practice at Schneider Downs in program design, execution, and innovative and strategic solutionsWilliam is a graduate of Duquesne University.

Brian W. Matthews joined Schneider Downs in January 2007 and has more than 15 years of public accounting experience. Brian has extensive experience providing consulting services including buy side and sell side diligence and financial modeling. Prior to joining the Business Advisory Group, Brian provided audit and assurance services to a variety of industries. He received both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Robert Morris University.

Peter J. Lieberman currently serves as Chief Executive Officer of Schneider Downs Corporate Finance, LP. In this role, Peter is responsible for managing transaction and business development activities for SDCF’s middle-market mergers and acquisitions, as well as the real estate investment banking practice. Peter received his Bachelor’s degree from Duke University and his Master’s degree from Indiana University School of Business.

Sachs joins CohnReznick as Assurance Partner

CohnReznick LLP, one of the leading advisory, assurance, and tax firms in the United States, recently announced that Scott Sachs has joined the firm as a partner in its Assurance practice. Sachs has 20 years of audit experience serving private equity and public company clients with a focus on the manufacturing and distribution and consumer industries, as well as software and technology services.

Sachs has extensive experience advising large and middle market private equity clients and their portfolio companies on mergers and acquisitions, revenue recognition, complex equity instruments, stock-based compensation, and leases. In addition to advising private equity clients, Sachs has also advised public companies throughout his career.

Sachs earned a BS, Business Administration – Accounting, from the Sacramento State College of Business Administration. He is a licensed CPA and a member of ACG San Francisco.

Li Joins CohnReznick as Tax Partner

CohnReznick LLP, one of the leading advisory, assurance, and tax firms in the United States, recently announced that Angel Li has joined the firm as a partner in its Tax practice. Li has more than 25 years of experience providing federal and state tax compliance and consulting services to companies of all sizes across the manufacturing, real estate, technology, and private equity industries.

Li’s tax consulting services include analysis of tax structures and transactions, buy- and sell-side tax due diligence, income tax provision support, and representing clients in IRS, state, and local examinations. In addition, Li has extensive experience navigating the tax implications of partnerships and partners in a range of industries including private equity, real estate partnerships, family partnerships, and multi-state and international business structures.

Li earned a BS, Accounting, and MS, Accounting degrees from the University of Connecticut. She is a licensed CPA.

CLA Announces Advancements Across the Firm

CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen LLP), the eighth largest accounting firm in the United States, recently announced that more than 800 CLA professionals were advanced to a new role. Twice a year, CLA advances high performing members of its team, further developing the leaders of the future. Other firm advancements take place in November.

CLA believes the best way to serve its clients and communities is to support its people in building careers that match their personal and professional aspirations. CLA offers its people the opportunity to make choices about their career path, including the industry they serve, the service capabilities they develop, their geography, and more.

Each year CLA makes compensation and advancement decisions through an inclusive and collaborative process. These decisions are made by coaches and leaders who take time to know and help our CLA family members live their inspired careers.

Valene Faulkner Joins Firm as Manager of Tax Advisory Services

Schneider Downs & Co. a Top 60 independent Certified Public Accounting (CPA) firm providing accounting, tax, audit, and business advisory services to public and private companies, not-for-profit organizations and global companies. announced that Valene Faulkner, CPA, has joined the firm as Manager of Tax Advisory Services.

Ms. Faulkner has over 10 years of industry and public accounting experience in State and Local Tax, primarily focused on sales and use tax. Val has served clients in the retail, manufacturing and medical industries with extensive knowledge in the electric utility, steel manufacturing and cannabis industries. Her areas of expertise include look-back reviews, taxability matrices and audit defense.

Ms. Faulkner received her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Wyoming and both her Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting and Master of Accountancy from the University of Texas.