Each month, we highlight our FICPA members' latest and greatest career achievements.
If you have good news you'd like to share about yourself, your firm or your employees and would like to be included in a future edition of CPAs in the Spotlight, please email communications@ficpa.org.
Here are the CPAs in the Spotlight from February:
Berkowitz Pollack Brant
Liz McGrath, Jason Soman
Berkowitz Pollack Brant Advisors + CPAs last month announced the addition of two FICPA members as new associate directors.
Chief Executive Officer Joseph L. Saka commented, “The addition of these new associate directors to the firm reflects the growth of different practice areas. Liz and Jason bring unique talent and experience to help us best serve our clients.”
Liz McGrath provides tax planning to domestic and international high-net-worth individuals and assists with their trust and estate planning and cross-border issues. She has extensive experience with pre-immigration and expatriation planning, and foreign bank and asset reporting for individuals in the U.S. and abroad. McGrath holds a master’s degree in business administration from Fordham University and a bachelor’s degree in economics from Binghamton University.
Jason Soman advises attorneys, business owners and high-net-worth individuals on complex matters involving business valuations and forensic accounting. In addition to developing a specialized focus on matrimonial matters, he has deep experience uncovering financial improprieties and defending analyses and conclusions in shareholder and partner disputes, commercial transactions, commercial litigation and estate and gift tax matters. Soman holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Indiana University, a bachelor’s degree in accounting and information systems from Queens College and a certificate in advanced valuation from New York University.
Garcia Santa María
Paul A. Garcia, Eric E. Santa María
Paul A. Garcia, P.A. (PAG) announces a merger with Eric E. Santa María, CPA.
Santa María was previously the lead tax and litigation support partner with Verdeja De Armas Trujillo LLP. By joining forces, Garcia and Santa María will better position their clients to achieve long term growth and success, while strengthening their position as a trusted advisor.
"We are excited to have Eric join our team. His extensive professional experience and credentials will add to our expertise and reputation for providing high-quality tax and consulting services in the South Florida community and internationally," said Garcia.
Paul A. Garcia, P.A. is a certified public accounting firm that has been serving the Coral Gables community for over 35 years. Specializing in tax, accounting, and forensic litigation support, the firm is well known for their personalized and proactive approach to serving their clients.
Eric Santa María CPA has more than 20 years of experience working with individuals and businesses in South Florida providing tax, accounting, and consulting services. Santa María worked with Paul Garcia previously after leaving PwC in 2009.
"I am excited to re-join Paul's team," said Eric Santa María CPA. "I've known Paul as a good friend and colleague for more than 30 years and I'm very excited to partner with him to start our new firm. The added resources and expertise by joining forces with Paul will allow me to continue to service existing clients and allow me the opportunity to provide additional tax and consulting services during these uncertain times." Santa María serves clients in various specialty industry groups including Manufacturing and Distribution, Medical, Real Estate, and Aviation.
The new firm is operating under the name of Garcia Santa María PLLC, with their main office at 135 San Lorenzo Avenue in Coral Gables, Florida. The firm has plans to expand and hire professionals at various levels in the coming year with opportunities both in the office and remotely.
Markham Norton Mosteller Wright & Co.
Gail Markham
Gail Markham, CPA, ABV, CFF, CFE, CFP, Florida Supreme Court Certified Family Mediator, and Partner at Markham Norton Mosteller Wright & Co., P.A. (MNMW) received the Thomas Burrage Award from the Expert Resource Connection (ERC). This award honors professionals who display expertise in the business valuation and forensic accounting industry and offer mentorship to future leaders and philanthropy in their community.
The ERC trustees shared that “Gail is passionate about everything she does. For decades, she has provided the best to her clients in various situations while generously supporting the local community with her time, talent, and treasure. In addition, she is a critical problem solver and takes the time to support our future professionals through leadership and mentorship.”
The late Thomas Burrage was highly respected for his expertise in litigation, forensic accounting, business valuation, and taxation. He is remembered most as a kind and generous man who gave back to the profession. The Expert Resource Connection (ERC), a professional organization that Burrage co-founded, created this award in his memory. The ERC is a group of business valuation and forensic accounting professionals who share resources and collaborate on engagements.
Tonya Waters
Tonya Waters recently joined Markham Norton Mosteller Wright & Company., P.A. (MNMW) as an Associate of the firm, providing traditional accounting and tax services.
“Our firm continues to grow with new team members to help provide the best services to our clients,” said Victoria Loyola, CPA, CHBC. “Tonya brings an incredible work ethic along with a great depth of experience, we are so happy to have her on the team!”
Waters has a background in Aerospace Engineering and is currently pursuing an Accounting bachelor’s degree at Purdue University. She is a member of the AICPA and FICPA having joined the firm at the end of 2021.
McDirmit Davis
Rachel Brink, Jeenalyn Duna, Hayley Smith, Carlos Vidal
McDirmit Davis in Orlando is pleased to announce the following promotions within the firm.
- Jeenalyn Duna has been promoted to Audit Senior
- Carlos Vidal has been promoted to Audit Manager
- Rachel Brink has been promoted to Tax Manager
- Hayley Smith has promoted to Tax Supervisor
Congratulations to all four FICPA members.
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