Chris has worked as a network administrator and information technology specialist. As Director of Information Technology Services, Chris specializes in Information Technology Exams for community banks.

Chris earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Computer Information Systems with a minor in Chemistry from Missouri State University. He attends many professional conferences and teaches two MIS classes at his alma mater.

With more than 20 years of experience in public accounting with emphasis in small business accounting services, computer software consulting, and employee benefit audits, Kathy currently manages multiple audits engagements for client employee benefit and retirement plans working with clients in a wide range of industries.

Kathy’s academic background includes a Bachelor of Arts degree in accounting/business administration from Drury University in Springfield. She has served as president of the Southwest Chapter of the Missouri Society of CPAs, board member of the Missouri Society of CPAs Board of Directors, and a former member of the United Way of the Ozarks allocation committee. She is a current member of the Missouri Society of CPAs and the American Institute of CPAs.

This merger will benefit both firms’ clients, according to Joe Page, Managing Partner of The Whitlock Company. “Because we have such extensive experience providing accounting, auditing, taxation and management advisory services to individuals and businesses of all sizes, we have a lot to offer our new clients. But, the Mitchell Roy & Wilson team brings a wealth of experience and additional industry expertise to our firm as well. Our existing clients will find them an exceptional resource.”

The newly joined firms will work out of The Whitlock Company’s Springfield headquarters. According to Page, the change in venue will be the most noticeable post-merger difference for clients of the former Mitchell Roy & Wilson. “We have worked for some time to ensure that this transition is seamless. We look forward to working with our new staff members and earning the trust of their clients,” he said.

This survey and award program was designed to identify, recognize and honor the best places of employment in the accounting industry, benefiting the nation’s economy, its workforce and businesses. The Best Accounting Firms to Work for list is made up of a total of 100 companies, split into small, medium and large-sized companies.

Accounting firms from across the country entered the two-part survey. The first part consisted of evaluating each nominated firm’s workplace policies, practices, philosophy, systems and demographics. The second part consisted of an employee survey to measure the employee experience. The combined scores determined the top firms and the final ranking. Best Companies Group managed the overall registration, survey and analysis process and determined the final rankings.

Read Joe’s full bio by clicking on this link.

Joe will succeed Dave Myers, CPA, who has served as Managing Partner since 2002. “It has been my honor and privilege to serve as Managing Partner over the last 9 years. Joe will bring a great deal of knowledge and experience to the Managing Partner role. He has been directly involved in the management of the firm since his admission to the partnership in 2004 and is a natural choice to lead us into the next generation,” Dave commented. “I am confident that Joe will provide outstanding direction for the firm in the coming years.”

Under Dave’s direction, the firm has achieved a number of significant milestones with a total personnel and revenue increase over the same time period. The firm has moved to a paperless office environment, been actively involved in community service and been voted Best Accounting Firm to Work For three consecutive years in a row. Dave will continue to serve his clients and play an active role in the firm.

Joe joined The Whitlock Company in 1994 and was admitted to the partnership in 2004. “I am honored by the opportunity to continue to build on the strong foundation built by the management team and staff of The Whitlock Company. I admire Dave’s contribution to the firm and the community. His pursuit of exceptional client service, strong leadership and effective strategic practices will continue to serve as a model for me as well as other firm leaders.”

Dave and Joe have been working together to ensure a smooth transition for staff and clients. The duties and responsibilities of the Managing Partner will continue to expand as the firm continues to grow.

He received a degree in Business Administration from Central Missouri State University and is a certified public accountant in Missouri and Colorado. Most recently, he was a credit Analyst for Guaranty Bank in Springfield.

“We are glad to have Shawn join our team. While The Whitlock Company is a growing business, our hiring process is incredibly selective. We hire only employees who have something exceptional to offer our clients. Shawn’s experience working with financial institutions made him a clear choice,” said Tom Beisner, CPA, Partner and Banking Industry Service Leader.

The entire staff of The Whitlock Company is involved in raising funds for the Special Olympics. Fundraising events will include $5 Jeans Days (held on every other Friday between from March until the event in May), and a raffle for a Kindle Reader from Amazon. One hundred percent of proceeds from these fundraisers will benefit the Special Olympics.

“We are excited as a company to have this opportunity to be a part of the Special Olympics. We’ve found some fun ways to raise money for this great organization and we’re proud to be able to give back to our community,” said Managing Partner David Myers.

The Special Olympics of Missouri provides year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with mental disabilities, giving them the opportunity to develop physical fitness and share their gifts with others.

As an independent member of PKF North America, The Whitlock Company has strong relationships with leading accounting firms around the country. The addition of Eisner, LLP, based in New York City and Wipfli, LLP, based in Milwaukee, add depth and expertise to the worldwide network. These firms are among the largest (23rd and 25th respectively) and most successful in the United States.

“ Being a part of this extraordinary network is a great benefit to us and to our clients because we are able to access the expertise of our peers no matter how distant they are,” said managing partner David Myers. He added, “It allows us to combine the depth of knowledge of a national firm with local insights. That’s an important aspect of our company.”

About Eisner: Eisner LLP is one of the premier accounting and business advisory services firms in the United States. They provide auditing, consulting and tax services to public and private firms across North America and internationally with almost 600 professionals and staff including approximately 85 partners.

About Wipfli: Milwaukee-based Wipfli LLP’s 110 partners and more than 800 associates serve clients domestically and internationally with 15 offices in the United States and two in India.
Their client base represents dozens of industries, and the services they perform are equally diverse.

About PKF North America: PKF North America is an association of 88 separate and legally independent accounting and consulting firms located in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. For more than forty years, member firms have benefited from access to educational materials and their peers’ expertise. The organization’ s most recent additions bring the net revenue of PKF North American member firms to approximately $1 billion.

The company consistently gains national and local attention as an excellent employer. The trade publication Accounting Today ranked The Whitlock Company as one of the “Best Accounting Firms to Work For,” in 2008 and 2009.

“Part of our success as a company is that we not only strive to build a qualified staff of professionals, we work to ensure that their professional lives at The Whitlock Company are engaging and enjoyable,” said Managing Partner David Myers.

Myers added that the company’s reputation allows them to hire outstanding candidates, which in turn improves client satisfaction. “It is important to us as a company that we continue to improve, not just grow,” he explained.

The Whitlock Company was recently named as one of the 2009 Best Accounting Firms to Work for. This is the second year in a row that Whitlock has received the designation.  The annual list of “Best Accounting Firms” was created by Accounting Today and Best Companies Group.

This survey and award program was designed to identify, recognize and honor the best places of employment in the accounting industry, benefiting the nation’s economy, its workforce and businesses. The Best Accounting Firms to Work for list is made up of a total of 100 companies, split into three groups: 20 small-sized companies (15-24 employees), 65 medium-sized companies (25-249 employees) 15 large-sized companies (more than 250 employees). The Whitlock Company has been named one of the Best Accounting Firms to Work for in the medium-sized category.

Companies from across the country entered the two-part survey process to determine the Best Accounting Firms to Work for. The first part consisted of evaluating each nominated company’s workplace policies, practices, philosophy, systems and demographics. The second part consisted of an employee survey to measure the employee experience. The combined scores determined the top companies and the final ranking. Best Companies Group managed the overall registration, survey and analysis process and determined the final rankings.

For more information about the Best Accounting Firms to Work for program, visit www.BestAccountingFirmstoWorkfor.com