We are thrilled to announce that our CEO, Laura Sprouse, has been recognized as one of Forbes’ inaugural Best-In-State CPAs. This prestigious recognition highlights Laura’s outstanding contributions to the accounting profession and her commitment to excellence in serving our clients. 

A Prestigious Recognition 

The Forbes Best-In-State CPAs list identifies 1,000 of the finest CPAs from across all 50 states, following their successful Top 200 CPAs list from last year. This recognition is designed to offer Forbes readers a valuable resource for their personal and business accounting needs. 

Rigorous Selection Process 

Being named to this elite list is no small achievement. Forbes’ editorial team devoted an entire year to researching and evaluating thousands of eligible candidates through: 

• Interviews with industry insiders 

• Outside nominations 

• Editorial research 

• Guidance from an independent advisory board of accomplished CPAs 

Candidates were evaluated based on ten weighted categories, including professional achievements, honors and recognition, influence on the profession, thought leadership, and community service. 

Leadership in a Challenging Landscape 

This recognition comes at a critical time for the accounting profession. As Forbes noted in their research, the industry is facing a significant talent shortage with fewer accounting students entering the field to replace retiring CPAs. 

While this marks Laura’s first year as CEO, her leadership is built on a foundation of eight years as our firm’s COO, where she worked alongside our previous CEO to shape our organization’s direction. This deep institutional knowledge has allowed her to provide seamless continuity while bringing her own vision to her new role. Laura’s efforts have enabled and encouraged: 

• Talent Development: We continue to partner with local universities, offering internships and scholarship opportunities to promising accounting students. We also continue to participate in AICPA’s CPAs in the Classroom initiative, designed to reach high school students who are considering their career options.  

• Workplace Culture: Having risen through our ranks, Laura understands the importance of retention and ongoing professional development. She continues to advocate for learning opportunities that enhance our team’s expertise and ability to serve clients effectively and has helped to implement several programs to aid in onboarding, mentorship, and leadership development. 

• Embracing Technology: Having overseen our operational systems for nearly a decade, Laura understands which technologies truly enhance our client service. She ensures we adopt practical tools that support our work without overshadowing the human element of our practice. 

• Institutional Expertise: Laura’s multiple roles at Brown Edwards has given her an unparalleled understanding of our firm’s strengths and opportunities. This perspective informs thoughtful decision-making that honors our established reputation while positioning us for sustainable growth. 

What This Means for Our Clients 

For our clients, this recognition reaffirms that they are working with a firm that values exceptional service and expertise. Laura’s recognition by Forbes reflects positively on our entire organization and our approach to client service. 

The benefits for our clients include: 

• Validation of Our Approach: This acknowledgment confirms that our focus on relationships rather than just technological solutions resonates with industry leaders. 

• Personal Attention: Our firm has always prioritized understanding each client’s unique situation, ensuring clients receive personal attention rather than one-size-fits-all solutions. 

• Reliable Expertise: While we don’t chase cutting-edge trends, we do provide reliable, thorough, and thoughtful financial guidance. Laura’s recognition highlights the value of consistent, dependable expertise in a rapidly changing industry. 

• Community Connection: As a locally focused firm, our knowledge of the regional business landscape provides clients with contextually relevant advice. This recognition strengthens our position as a trusted local resource with nationally recognized credentials. 

• Steady Partnership: In uncertain economic times, clients benefit from our firm’s stable approach and commitment to long-term relationships. The transition to Laura’s leadership as CEO reinforces this commitment to being a steady, reliable partner in our clients’ financial journeys. 

Join Us in Celebrating 

Please join us in congratulating Laura on this well-deserved recognition. Her dedication to our clients, our team, and the accounting profession as a whole exemplifies the values that drive our firm’s success. 

We’re proud to have a leader whose expertise and vision have earned this prestigious national recognition, and we look forward to continued excellence under her guidance. 

For more information about the Forbes Best-In-State CPAs list and methodology, you can visit Forbes’ website.