When I started Kern and Company, about 40 years ago, I did so from ground zero, meaning that I did so without having any clients! I did not get started by purchasing an already existing CPA firm. I also knew that I would be competing with quite a few local CPA firms that were run by CPAs with more tax experience than I had. So, the question I had to ask myself was, “What do I offer that most, if not all, of my competitors lacked?” The answer was and is plenty of business experience outside of public accounting.
I served on the management consulting staff of a major accounting firm serving businesses, large and small, and many different lines of products and services. I worked in and helped manage manufacturing companies, companies in retail sales, and companies in wholesale sales. I also felt competent to teach and instruct business owners, having taught at the college level as a graduate assistant at Penn State University Park and at Penn state’s Harrisburg Campus, where I also served as the head of the Accounting Department. And, of course, I am the CEO of Kern and Company, PC, a closely held company.
My partner and Chief Operating Officer (COO) at Kern and Company has experience outside of public accounting and more than 20 years at Kern and Company, PC. Our other senior management executive had extensive prior experience in the financing industry.
We really are business advisors!
