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.

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 — 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.