Timonium, MD — Regional certified public accounting, tax and consulting firm KatzAbosch today announced it has been awarded the 2009 Best Accounting Firms to Work For honor by Accounting Today Magazine. This annual award program, created by Accounting Today and Best Companies Group, acknowledges the best places of employment in the accounting industry nationwide.

One hundred public or privately held U.S. accounting firms in three different categories were recognized – 20 small-sized companies (15-24 employees), 65 medium-sized companies (25-249 employees), and 15 large-sized companies (more than 250 employees). KatzAbosch has been named one of the Best Accounting Firms to Work For in the medium-sized category.

“It is an honor to be recognized for our unwavering commitment to our employees among such a distinguished group of accounting firms from across the nation,” said Mark R. Cissell, President and CEO of KatzAbosch. “For 40 years,  KatzAbosch has been, and will continue to be, committed to hiring, retaining, and recognizing the best-qualified and
most-dedicated professionals while affording them opportunities for personal growth, professional development, and advancement.”

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.

“It is especially rewarding to receive this prestigious award as a result of the glowing responses KatzAbosh received from our personnel who spoke so highly of the firm during the voting process,” said Alvin D. Katz, Co-Founder and Chairman of
KatzAbosch. “The fact that our shareholders average an impressive 22 years with the firm is testament to our enduring commitment to providing the necessary support, resources and guidance that our staff needs to excel and succeed.”

Timonium, MD — Regional certified public accounting and consulting firm KatzAbosch today announced that Mark C. Kelly, Shareholder and Director of the firm’s Bel Air office, has been named a 2009 SmartCPA by SmartCEO Magazine. Kelly has been recognized for his leadership, accomplishments, expertise, innovation and relationship development as a top certified public accountant (CPA) in the Greater Baltimore business community.

“It is an honor to be included among such a distinguished group of CPAs who have dedicated so much of themselves to their profession,” said Mark C. Kelly, Shareholder and Director of the Bel Air office for KatzAbosch. “It is especially rewarding to be recognized for the work that I love to do and I look forward to continuing my philanthropic and civic commitment to the Bel Air community.”

Kelly joined KatzAbosch in 1979 and specializes in personal financial planning, management advisory services for closely held businesses and tax planning. Kelly has been assisting Bel Air businesses achieve their financial goals for more than 30 years. In 2000, Kelly became a Personal Financial Specialist (PFS) to add to his list of credentials.

Kelly is a member of several professional organizations including the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants; the Maryland Association of Certified Public Accountants; serves as Treasurer and sits on the Board of Directors for The Highlands School, Inc.; served as past-Director of the Fall Lacrosse Program and past-Coach of the Jarresttsville Recreational Council; and serves on the Board of Directors for Tee by 2 Charity Foundation of Maryland.

Kelly received a Bachelor of Arts’ degree in accounting from Albright College.

Timonium, MD— Certified public accounting and consulting firm KatzAbosch today announced Mark R. Cissell has taken the helm as President and CEO, several staff promotions and the naming of new members to the firm’s Board of Directors, all effective July 1, 2009.

Cissell, a Shareholder with the firm, becomes the third CEO in KatzAbosch’s nearly 40-year history. Cissell joined the firm in 1985 and has over 20 years of experience in auditing, accounting, and taxation. Katz will continue to play a key strategic role with KatzAbosch moving forward.

“We are honored to have such a talented and dedicated team at KatzAbosch and I am excited to work with Alvin, and the entire KatzAbosch team, to continue to grow our firm, provide superior client services and move Alvin’s vision forward,” said Mark R. Cissell, President and CEO of KatzAbosch. “Challenging economic times will not deter the firm from our commitment to hiring, retaining, and recognizing the best-qualified and most-dedicated professionals while affording them opportunities for personal growth, professional development, and advancement. Our sincerest congratulations and thanks go out to those who are being recognized for their excellence in service and we wish them continued growth with the firm.”

Steve Gershman, Anita Sheckells, Mark Rapson, Alvin Katz and Mark Cissell have been elected by the firm’s shareholders to the KatzAbosch Board of Directors for the July 1, 2009 through June 30, 2010 fiscal year.

The following individuals have been promoted to:

• Anita Sheckells – Chair of the Audit and Accounting Services Group

• Michael Gentry – Co-Chair of the Real Estate/Construction Services Group

• Kristin Hucht – Chair of the Not-for-Profit Services Group

• Krissie Kohler – Manager

• Phoebe Barger and Amie Stielper – Supervisor

• Yocheved Baumer, Augusta Boyce, Heather Boyer, Megan Souchak, and Angel Zollicoffer – Senior Accountant

Regional accounting and consulting firm KatzAbosch is proud to announce that it has been accepted as the exclusive Baltimore member of the National CPA Health Care Advisors Association (HCAA), a nationwide association of CPA firms that provide specialized accounting, tax and consulting services to health care practitioners.

Baltimore, MD — Regional accounting and consulting firm KatzAbosch, today announced it has named Melissa J. Pitchford, CPA, to Shareholder with the firm.

Pitchford joined the firm in 2002 and provides auditing, accounting, and taxation services. She serves as Co-Chair of the firm’s Medical Practice Services Group working directly with medical practices and physicians throughout the state of Maryland and specializes in business advice and assistance to medical services institutions and providers, business advice and assistance to closely-held businesses, and tax planning and preparation.

“Since joining our firm, Melissa has been instrumental in leading our Medical Practice Services Group, along with John Abosch, and expanding our services to the medical community in Maryland,” said Alvin D. Katz, President and CEO of KatzAbosch. “Melissa’s new role as Shareholder continues our goal of rewarding highly-qualified, dedicated and experienced professionals.”

“It’s been a pleasure working with the talented team of KatzAbosch and I’m honored to be named a Shareholder with the firm,” said Pitchford. “I look forward to continuing the growth and success of the firm’s Medical Practice Services Group by delivering superior service to the medical community.”

Pitchford is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and a member of several professional organizations including the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA); Maryland Association of Certified Public Accountants (MACPA); National Medical Group Management Association; Maryland Medical Group Management Association, Board of Directors, Affiliated Healthcare Advisors and the National CPA Health Care Advisors Association.

Pitchford received a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Salisbury State University.

Baltimore, MD — Regional accounting and consulting firm Katz, Abosch, Windesheim, Gershman & Freedman, P.A. (KAWG&F), today announced a re-branding campaign with a name change to Katz Abosch beginning January 2009. Additionally, Mark R. Cissell was named the new President and CEO of the firm effective July 1, 2009. Cissell succeeds Alvin D. Katz, CPA and Co-Founder of the firm, who will remain as Chair of the company.

“As we continue to grow and add new partners, we decided to go back to our roots and use the founding partners’ names,” said Cissell. “Because Alvin Katz and John Abosch built this firm on their expertise, strong ethics, and keen business savvy, the new name – Katz Abosch – makes perfect sense and represents the strong reputation of our founding partners.”

The firm’s new logo updates the existing typeface in favor of a more streamlined, effective and modern look.

“By simplifying our name and implementing a fresh, bold look, we are able to preserve the firm’s strong brand, while visually capturing the qualities of innovation, service, and leadership that are our company’s greatest strengths,” said Katz.

Cissell, a Shareholder with the firm, becomes the third CEO in the firm’s nearly 40-year history. Cissell joined the firm in 1985 and has more than 20 years of experience in consulting, auditing, accounting, and taxation. He is a member of the firm’s Board of Directors as well as the Medical Practice Services Group. Cissell is Chairman of the Howard County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors among numerous other civic and business involvement. Katz will continue to play a key strategic role with the firm moving forward in the areas of business development and client relations.

“Since joining our firm, Mark has played an instrumental role in key business initiatives – from ensuring our firm provides the highest quality service to our clients, to focusing on business development, and most recently to providing strategic input to our rebranding campaign,” said Katz. “Mark’s new role as CEO is a significant step forward for our firm to the next generation leadership and we are excited about his passion and commitment to our future.”

John P. Abosch and Alvin D. Katz co-founded the firm in 1969. Under Katz’s leadership as CEO, the firm has grown into one of the top regional accounting firms in the midAtlantic with offices in Timonium, Columbia and Bel Air with nearly 100 employees and whose industry expertise includes specialization in construction and real estate, medical, health and life sciences, not-for-profit, government contracting services, business valuation, litigation support and forensic accounting services.

“For nearly four decades, Alvin Katz, John Abosch, Al Windesheim, Steve Gershman and Mark Freedman have led our firm in a forward-thinking, innovative and passionate fashion. I look forward to following in their footsteps and continuing to grow the business for decades to come,” said Cissell.

“Katz Abosch is recognized throughout the region for keen leadership, technical expertise and innovative business practices with a proven track record of providing responsive, accurate and reliable service to clients. With Mark at the helm, we will continue to grow as one of the top accounting firms in the region,” said Abosch, Co-Founder and Shareholder. “Today’s announcement further highlights our continuing goal to reward talented and experienced professionals.”

Baltimore, MD — Regional accounting and consulting firm Katz, Abosch, Windesheim, Gershman & Freedman, P.A. (KAWG&F), today announced it has named Mark R. Cissell, CPA, as Chief Executive Officer. Cissell succeeds Alvin D. Katz, CPA and Co-Founder of the firm, who will remain as Chairman of the Board of Directors and will continue to oversee firm
operations. Cissell will begin the transition into his new role effective July 1, 2009. The firm also announced it will change its name to, KatzAbosch effective January 1, 2009, and introduce a new corporate logo.

Cissell, a Shareholder with the firm, becomes the third CEO in KatzAbosch’s nearly 40-year history. Cissell joined the firm in 1985 and has over 20 years of experience in auditing, accounting, and taxation. He is a member of the firm’s Board of Directors as well as the Medical Practice Services Group. Katz will continue to play a key strategic role with KatzAbosch moving forward.

“Since joining our firm, Mark has played an instrumental role in key business initiatives at KatzAbosch – from ensuring our firm provides the highest quality service to our clients, to focusing on business development to grow our firm, and most recently to providing strategic oversight on our re-branding initiatives,” said Alvin D. Katz. “Mark’s appointment as CEO is a significant step forward for our firm to next generation leadership and we are excited about the passion and commitment Mark brings to his new role as CEO.”

Co-Founded in 1969 with John P. Abosch, Katz has grown the firm into one of the top regional accounting firms in the mid-Atlantic with offices in Timonium, Columbia and Bel Air with more than 100 employees and whose industry expertise includes specialization in construction and real estate, medical, health and life sciences, not-for-profit and government contracting services.

“For nearly four decades, Alvin Katz has led our firm as a forward-thinking, innovative and passionate CEO and I am very fortunate to have been provided with many amazing opportunities and experiences. Alvin’s leadership and commitment to KatzAbosch are characteristics to be admired and ones I will carry over in my new role as CEO,” said Mark R. Cissell. “I am excited to work with Alvin, and the entire KatzAbosch team, to continue to grow our firm, provide superior client services and move Alvin’s vision forward.”

“KatzAbosch is recognized throughout the mid-Atlantic region for our leadership, technical expertise and innovative business practices with a proven track record of providing responsive, accurate and reliable service to our clients. With Mark at the helm, KatzAbosch will continue to grow as one of the top accounting firms in the region,” said John P. Abosch, Co-Founder and Shareholder. “Today’s announcement further highlights our continuing goal to reward talented
and experienced professionals.”

The firms new logo, created by Nancy Kapp & Company, Inc., a full-service marketing and communications firm based in Baltimore, updates the existing typeface and eliminates the abbreviation of each partners name in favor of a more streamlined, effective and modern look. “By simplifying our name and implementing a fresh, bold look, we are able to preserve the firms strong brand equity, while visually capturing the qualities of innovation, service, and leadership that are our company’s greatest strengths,” said Mark R. Cissell.

Cissell is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and a member of several professional organizations including the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA); Maryland Association of Certified Public Accountants (MACPA); Howard County Chamber of Commerce, Chairman of the Board of Directors; Steven Daniel Jeffrey’s Foundation, Board of
Directors; Howard County Arts Council, Past Treasurer of the Board of Directors; Howard County Leadership, Class of 1997; Howard County YMCA, Board of Directors; and the Medical Group Management Association, National and Maryland Affiliations.

Cissell received a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Western New England College, Springfield, Massachusetts.