KatzAbosch, one of the region’s leading certified public accounting, tax and consulting firms, is proud to announce that six more of our Certified Public Accountants: Michael Gentry, Terry Grant, Kent Thomas, Chris Clingerman, Anita Sheckells and Kristin Bailey have recently earned the Certified Construction Auditor (CCA) designation from the National Association of Construction Auditors (NACA), bringing the total number of CCAs employed with KatzAbosch to seven, including Claudia Wolter who earned her designation in 2011.

The National Association of Construction Auditors was created to enhance the control environment related to construction projects. Providing the professional Certified Construction Auditor (CCA) designation helps to instill confidence in employers and clients when they secure the services of a professional construction auditor.

In addition to the CCA designation, 6 of KatzAbosch’s Certified Public Accountants also hold the designation of Certified Construction Industry Financial Professional (CCIFP). This distinction shows an individual has met the highest standards of construction financial management. There are less than 20 CCIFPs in the state of Maryland and only 700 in the United States.

KatzAbosch is also the only member of The Construction Industry CPAs/Consultants Association (CICPAC) in the state of Maryland. CICPAC is a national association of CPA firms recognized by their respective markets for providing high quality financial and consulting services to over 6,000 construction entities. Each firm is the exclusive member in its area and must demonstrate proficiency in construction industry services and a reputation for high-quality work and integrity. Through CICPAC’s educational programs and the continuous exchange of ideas and information, members of CICPAC are able to stay at the forefront of the construction industry, allowing them to provide up-to-date services to their clients.

KatzAbosch hosted a breakfast meeting for the Maryland Chapter of CFMA on February 8.  The room was packed and in attendance were many influential people from the construction world including business owners, CFO’s and insurance and bonding specialists.  Zafar Farooqi from Capital Construction Consultants, Inc gave an excellent presentation on Construction Contract Claims.  It was evident from the group discussion that claims are more prevalent than ever in the current economic climate. After a brief instruction of claims certification and providing proper notice, the group greatly benefited from the case studies and graphic analysis describing delay impact claims, their cause, effect, and most importantly the recovery.

submitted by: Anita M. Sheckells, CPA, CCIFP

KatzAbosch has recently become a proud member of The Construction Industry CPAs/Consultants Association (CICPAC). CICPAC is a national association of CPA firms recognized by their respective markets for providing high quality financial and consulting services to over 6,000 construction entities.

Each firm is the exclusive member in its area and must demonstrate proficiency in construction industry services and a reputation for high-quality work and integrity. Through CICPAC’s educational programs and the continuous exchange of ideas and information, members of CICPAC are able to stay at the forefront of the construction industry, allowing them to provide up-to-date services to their clients.

When working with a CICPAC member, a contractor can receive the individual attention of one accomplished firm, combined with the unparalleled knowledge and resources of a nationwide network of construction industry specialists. Currently, KatzAbosch is the only firm to be a CICPAC member in the state of Maryland, and one of only 75 firms recognized nationally.

In addition to being a member of CICPAC, KatzAbosch’s own Claudia Wolter, shareholder and Co-Chair of the firm’s Accounting and Auditing Services Group, holds the designation of Certified Construction Auditor (CCA) from the National Association of Construction Auditors (NACA). This certification was created to enhance the control environment related to construction projects and help to instill confidence in employers and clients when they secure the services of a professional certified construction auditor. KatzAbosch also employees 6 of the less than 20 Certified Construction Industry Financial Professionals (CCIFPs) in the state of Maryland. This distinction shows individuals have met the highest standards of construction financial management. Earning the CCIFP designation entails a very rigorous exam and relatively few certified public accountants hold this professional distinction, only 700 in the entire United States.

KatzAbosch is tremendously honored to be accepted into CICPAC and looks forward to taking advantage of all the new resources that being a CICPAC member has to offer. In doing so, KatzAbosch will confidently continue to provide our clients the best up-to-date knowledge and service possible.

Timonium, MD- KatzAbosch, one of the region’s leading certified public accounting, tax and consulting firms, is proud to announce that Claudia Wolter, a shareholder and Co-Chair of the firm’s Accounting and Auditing Services Group, has recently earned the Certified Construction Auditor (CCA) designation from the National Association of Construction Auditors (NACA).

The National Association of Construction Auditors was created to enhance the control environment related to construction projects. Providing the professional Certified Construction Auditor (CCA) designation helps to instill confidence in employers and clients when they secure the services of a professional construction auditor.

In addition, Wolter has a bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Towson University and is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). She also holds the designation of Certified Construction Industry Financial Professional (CCIFP), a distinction that shows an individual has met the highest standards of construction financial management. There are less than 20 CCIFPs in the state of Maryland (of which, 6 are employed with KatzAbosch) and only 700 in the United States.

Baltimore, MD — On May 20, 2011, the Women in Associated Builders and Contractors (WABC), a committee of Associated Builders and Contractors Baltimore Chapter hosted their fourth annual

Women in ABC Career Empowerment Day at Catholic Charities’ My Sister’s Place. The six-hour workshop provided resources and training to twenty disadvantaged women who are enrolled in Catholic Charities’ Families That Work Program, a job-readiness program for temporary cash assistance recipients who are in their third trimester of pregnancy or who have given birth within the past six months.

Participants in the event were provided job interview training, workplace scenario workshops, resume writing skills, and an overview of careers in the construction industry. The event featured keynote speaker Carla Nelson, Director of the Mayor’s Office of Minority and Women-Owned Business Development, as well as professional support and presentations from participating WABC committee members.

“The event not only provided training needed for a career, but also business attire donated as a result of our clothing drive earlier this month,” says Anita Sheckells, who is the event chair and a shareholder with KatzAbosch, a certified public accounting firm which helped donate some of the clothing. “Part of the event included a shopping spree in two rooms filled with business clothing and accessories for women. There was one woman in particular who commented that she had never owned her own jewelry until now, let alone business clothing.”

Sheckells, a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and Certified Construction Industry Financial Professional (CCIFP), has been the event chair for Career Empowerment Day for the past four years. As a member of WABC, her committee is particularly interested in grooming women for a career in construction, for which they offer the participants their own expertise.

“To have these professional women speak to our ladies is an awesome experience,” says Charleen Thomas-Christon, program manager of Families That Work. “The American Dream is the availability of jobs where one can earn a good living, have job security, and affordable healthcare for the family. This day provides information on a non-traditional career path for women that will enable them to realize the dream is attainable.”

Timonium, MD — KatzAbosch, one of the region’s leading certified public accounting, tax and consulting firms, announces that three of the firm’s CPAs – Kristin Bailey, Michael Gentry and Claudia Wolter – have earned the Certified Construction Industry Financial Professional (CCIFP) designation, a distinction that shows individuals have met the highest standards of construction financial management. There are less than 20 CCIFPs in the state of Maryland, and only 700 in the United States.

“Earning the CCIFP designation entails a very rigorous exam, and relatively few certified public accountants hold this professional distinction,” said Mark Cissell, CEO and President of KatzAbosch. “This brings the total number of CCIFPs at our firm to six, which demonstrates the added value and industry insight we are able to provide our clients.”

Kristin Bailey is a manager with KatzAbosch and provides a full range of accounting services for clients including business advisory services, tax planning, and accounting and tax services for closely-held businesses and individuals. She is a member of the Construction Services group.

Michael Gentry, a Shareholder with KatzAbosch, is Co-Chair of the Construction Services Group and has provided accounting and tax services to contractors and construction firms for more than 10 years. In addition, Gentry services closely-held businesses in the distribution, healthcare, and transportation sectors.

Claudia Wolter, a Shareholder with KatzAbosch, serves as Co-Chair of the firm’s Accounting and Auditing Services Group, assists in the quality control management and oversight of the firm and is a member of the Construction Services Group. She recently served as a contributing author of “Construction Accounting,” an in-depth guide to construction financial and accounting issues for attorneys distributed by the American Bar Association.

Timonium, MD — Regional certified public accounting, tax, and consulting firm KatzAbosch announces that Kent Thomas, CPA, CCIFP has been asked to serve as an advisor to the Finance Committee for The Building Congress & Exchange Foundation (BCEF). The Finance Committee oversees BCEF’s investment portfolio and strategies and reports to the Foundation’s Board of Directors. Thomas is just one of three advisors serving in that capacity.

Thomas, a Shareholder with KatzAbosch, joined the firm in 1984. He currently serves as Co- Chair of the Construction and Real Estate Services Group and has provided accounting and tax services to contractors and construction firms for more than 20 years. Thomas holds the prestigious distinction of Certified Construction Industry Financial Professional (CCIFP), a certification held by less than 15 professionals in Maryland and less than 750 professionals in the United States.

The Building Congress & Exchange Foundation is dedicated to improving and promoting the construction industry in the greater Baltimore area. With the belief that education is the best way to foster growth, BCEF has awarded grants to individuals and organizations actively contributing to the construction community. Since its first year of active giving in 1998, the Foundation has awarded grants totaling approximately $425,000 to support the construction industry.

Thomas, who served as President of BCEF in 2004, is an active member of several other professional and civic organizations including the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), Maryland Association of Certified Public Accountants (MACPA), Associated Builders and Contractors, and the Construction Financial Management Association (CFMA).

Timonium, MD — Regional certified public accounting, tax, and consulting firm KatzAbosch today announced that Anita M. Sheckells, CPA, CCIFP and Shareholder, has been named Treasurer of the Howard County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.

Sheckells joined KatzAbosch in 1984 and serves as the firm’s Co-Chair of the Audit and Accounting Services Group and is past-Chair of the firm’s Construction and Real Estate Services Group. She holds the prestigious distinction of Certified Construction Industry Financial Professional (CCIFP), a certification held by less than 15 professionals in Maryland and less than 600 professionals in the United States. Anita specializes in special accounting issues, bonding and banking issues and providing services to construction and real estate industries.

Sheckells has been the recipient of several distinguished awards and professional designations including “Comeback Chapter of the Year 2008,” Construction Financial Management Association (CFMA); Maryland’s Top 100 Women, The Daily Record, 2006; “Smart CPA,” Baltimore SmartCEO Magazine; and “Leader in the Workplace” and “Special Leader
Professions,” YWCA Greater Baltimore.

She is a member of several other professional and civic organizations including Construction Financial Management Association, Board Member and past President; Associated Builders and Contractors, past Chair of Events Committee; Building Congress & Exchange; Maryland Association of Certified Public Accountants (MACPA), past Chair of Construction Accounting Committee; Women President’s Organization; American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA); University of Baltimore, past Accounting Advisory Board Member; Boy Scouts, Merit Badge Counselor. Additionally, as past Chair of the MACPA’s ConstructionAccounting Committee Anita organized two of the annual construction conferences.

Sheckells received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting from the University of Baltimore.