Category: Owensboro, KY

Alexander Thompson Arnold CPAs Named
Seventh Largest Accounting Firm in Tennessee

Alexander Thompson Arnold CPAs has been named Tennessee’s seventh (7th) largest accounting firm by American City Business Journals. This ranking is based on the number of full-time certified public accountants with the firm. The firm is ranked eighth (8th) for total staff in Tennessee.

“We are honored by this recognition,” said ATA’s Chief Manager Al Creswell, CPA. “At ATA, we build relationships with our clients, so we can understand their challenges and devise strategies to help them succeed. Our approach combines industry experience, community involvement and continuing education opportunities to provide the highest quality accounting services. We believe this approach is why we continue to grow.”

Collectively, ATA boasts 16 partners, 130 staff members, and 10 offices. The firm’s headquarters is in Union City, Tenn., and its largest office is in Jackson. Each office reflects the community it serves and gives exceptional personal attention to clients. Because of the firm’s size, team members are able to specialize in multiple areas or focus on building expertise in one niche. The firm’s niches include: tax, governmental audit, utility systems audit, financial institutions audit and compliance, business valuation, employee benefit plan audit and administration, SSAE 16/SAS-70 audit, not-for profit audit and healthcare services. Staff members seem to like the flexibility, and clients benefit from a deeper knowledge base.

The firm is a member in good standing of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Tennessee Society of Certified Public Accountants, the Kentucky Society of Certified Public Accountants, the Private Companies Practice Section of the AICPA, and the BDO Seidman Alliance.

Jason Anderson Joins Alexander Thompson Arnold CPAs

Alexander Thompson Arnold CPAs is proud to announce that Jason Anderson has joined its team. He is a senior manager in the firm’s Murray, Kentucky office.

“During his 10 years in the accounting field, Jason has demonstrated his hard work ethic and high professional standards. Both of which complement ATA’s client-centered, excellence-driven focus,” said Al Creswell, CPA and chief manager for Alexander Thompson Arnold PLLC. “We are proud to have Jason on our team.”
Anderson focuses his practice on audit work, fraud investigation, individual and corporate tax and, estate planning. He has worked hard in the accounting industry and has earned several certifications, including certified public accountant (CPA), certified fraud examiner (CFE), certified internal auditor (CIA) and chartered global management accountant (CGMA).

A graduate of the University of Tennessee at Martin, Anderson is a member of the Kentucky Society of CPAs, Kansas Society of CPAs, American Institute of CPAs, Association of Certified Fraud Examiners and Institute of Internal Auditors.A native of Carroll County, Jason and his wife Brandy have two daughters: Annabella and Genevieve. He enjoys spending time with his family, an array of outdoor activities, reading and classical music.

Alexander Thompson Arnold CPAs Announces Staff Promotions

Alexander Thompson Arnold CPAs is proud to announce that six of its staff members have earned promotions.

They include:

• Theresa Corley and Jenny Beth Hepler in Union City were promoted to Senior Manager;
• Carrol Kessens in Jackson was promoted to Manager;
• Brad Carraway in Dyersburg and Matt Wood in Jackson were promoted to Senior Accountant; and
• Virginia Rice in Union City was promoted to Senior Bookkeeper.

“Our team members at ATA dedicate themselves to providing the highest quality accounting and auditing services to our clients,” said Al Creswell, CPA and chief manager for Alexander Thompson Arnold PLLC. “We are proud to recognize them as they excel as leaders within the firm and as professionals.”

Tennessee Society of CPAs Announces Leadership for 2010-2011

The Tennessee Society of CPAs (TSCPA) recently announced its leadership for 2010-2011.

Alexander Thompson Arnold CPAs had representatives appointed throughout the organization.

Alexander Thompson Arnold representatives are serving in the following positions:

• • • Board of Directors – Art Sparks, Jr., Union City
    • West Tennessee Chapter Immediate Past President – Stephen M. Eldridge, Jackson
    • West Tennessee Chapter Treasurer – Carrol Kessens, Jackson
    • Council Members – Art Sparks, Jr., Union City, and Carrol Kessens, Jackson
    • Construction Conference Committee – John Whybrew, John E. Hudson and Charles Allison, Jackson
    • Employee Benefit Plan Conference Committee – Jerry Smith, Paris
    • Financial Institutions Conference Committee – Jack Matthis, Jr., Milan
    • Governmental Committee – Mike Hewitt, Jackson, and Glendora Greenway, Dyersburg
    • Legislation Committee – Stephen M. Eldridge, Jackson
    • Nominating Committee – John Whybrew, Jackson
    • Peer Review Committee – Art Sparks, Jr., Union City
    • Small Business Committee – Kevin Howell, Dyersburg
    • Taxation – State Committee – Tamara Stanfill, Jackson
    • Young CPA Committee – Karie Spencer, Milan

TSCPA is the state professional organization of CPAs with more than 8,000 members in all areas of public practice, government, education, business and industry. The West Tennessee Chapter is one of eight chapters across the state and has 300 members in 18 counties. TSCPA is headquartered in Brentwood, Tenn.

Al Creswell Serving on the Tennessee State Board of Accountancy

The Tennessee State Board of Accountancy recently announced its leadership for 2010-2011. Alfred Creswell, CPA, chief managing officer for Alexander Thompson Arnold PLLC, is serving the third year of his second three year term.

The Tennessee State Board of Accountancy (http://tn.gov/commerce/boards/tnsba/) is part of the Department of Commerce and Insurance, which works to protect consumers while ensuring fair competition for industries and professionals who do business in Tennessee.

For over 30 years, Creswell has dedicated his life to providing quality accounting services. He has been a partner with Alexander Thompson Arnold CPAs since 1981, where his practice focuses on tax and firm administration. He serves on the Licensing and Law & Rules committees of the Tennessee State Board of Accountancy. He is an active member of the American Institute of CPAs and Tennessee Society of CPAs.

A graduate of the University of Tennessee at Martin, Creswell is active in his community. He is the president-elect and treasurer of the Union City Rotary Club and a Paul Harris Fellow. He’s a board member for the Discovery Park of America, Obion County Distinguished Speakers Foundation, and University of Tennessee at Martin Athletics Board. He is a trustee for the Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity at UT Martin and a member of the Union City Shrine Club. He and his wife Michelle are also members of Union City First United Methodist Church.

Al Creswell Serving on the Tennessee State Board of Accountancy

The Tennessee State Board of Accountancy recently announced its leadership for 2010-2011. Alfred Creswell, CPA, chief managing officer for Alexander Thompson Arnold PLLC, is serving the third year of his second three year term.

The Tennessee State Board of Accountancy (http://tn.gov/commerce/boards/tnsba/) is part of the Department of Commerce and Insurance, which works to protect consumers while ensuring fair competition for industries and professionals who do business in Tennessee.
For over 30 years, Creswell has dedicated his life to providing quality accounting services. He has been a partner with Alexander Thompson Arnold CPAs since 1981, where his practice focuses on tax and firm administration. He serves on the Licensing and Law & Rules committees of the Tennessee State Board of Accountancy. He is an active member of the American Institute of CPAs and Tennessee Society of CPAs.

A graduate of the University of Tennessee at Martin, Creswell is active in his community. He is the president-elect and treasurer of the Union City Rotary Club and a Paul Harris Fellow. He’s a board member for the Discovery Park of America, Obion County Distinguished Speakers Foundation, and University of Tennessee at Martin Athletics Board. He is a trustee for the Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity at UT Martin and a member of the Union City Shrine Club. He and his wife Michelle are also members of Union City First United Methodist Church.

STEPHEN ELDRIDGE EARNS CRISC CERTIFICATION

Stephen M. Eldridge, a partner with Alexander Thompson Arnold CPAs, recently earned his Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC) certification through the Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA).

ISACA designed the CRISC certification for IT professionals who have hands-on experience with risk identification, assessment, and evaluation; risk response; risk monitoring; IS control design and implementation; and IS control monitoring and maintenance.
The CRISC complements two other certifications Eldridge has earned from ISACA: Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) and Certified in the Governance of Enterprise IT (CGEIT).

CISA is designed for IT professionals who perform independent reviews of control design and operational effectiveness;

CGEIT is for IT and business professionals who have a significant management, advisory or assurance role relating to the governance of IT, including risk management; and

CRISC is for IT and business professionals who are engaged at an operational level to mitigate risk and who design, implement and maintain IS controls.

Eldridge’s practice at Alexander Thompson Arnold CPAs focuses on auditing, tax, and client development, and he is the partner in charge of the firm’s SAS 70 audit practice. He earned his BSBA from Union University in Finance and Accounting. In addition to his other credentials, Eldridge is a Certified Public Accountant and a Certified Information Technology Professional. He is a member of the TSCPA, AICPA, ISACA, TGFOA, TVPPA, Jackson Area Technology Group and Utility Technology Association.
As an active member of the community, Eldridge is a board member and chairman of the finance committee for Youth Town and is a club member and former board member of the Jackson Rotary Club. He is also actively involved with Sigma Alpha Epsilon and Relay for Life. A 2004 graduate of Leadership Jackson, he is the president-elect for the West Tennessee Society of Certified Public Accountants.