Smith + Howard Number One Among Elite 50 Best of the Best Firms in the Nation

Atlanta-based accounting firm, Smith and Howard, has been recognized as the number one CPA firm among the elite 50 “Best of the Best” firms in the nation by INSIDE Public Accounting. The firm was also included among the Best of the Best Fastest Growing Firms.

In a historic announcement for Smith and Howard, its employees, clients and friends, INSIDE Public Accounting (IPA) released the selection of the 2014 Best of the Best CPA Firms in the nation. For the fifth consecutive year, Smith and Howard is included as a Best of the Best CPA firm and this year, Smith and Howard was ranked the number one CPA firm in the nation among the Best of the Best firms. In addition, Smith and Howard was ranked as a Best of the Best Fastest-Growing Firm and an IPA 200 Fastest-Growing Firm.

The INSIDE Public Accounting (IPA) 2014 Best of the Best firms are well-managed and well-executed examples of how to succeed. The 2014 IPA Best of the Best firms come in all sizes and are dispersed across the U.S.

“The IPA Best of the Best firms represent the pinnacle of high-performing businesses in the U.S. Each firm demonstrates the right combination of vision, planning, training, and execution to deliver superior performance,” says Michael Platt, principal of the Platt Group and publisher of the accounting trade publication, INSIDE Public Accounting.

Over the past four years, IPA has named the top five Best of the Best firms, based on overall scoring. This year, Smith and Howard, Atlanta takes the award for the No. 1 Best of the Best firm in the nation.

“Smith and Howard will receive the ‘Pyramid of Excellence’ award at the 2014 PRIME Symposium held in November, in Indianapolis”, says Kelly Platt, principal of INSIDE Public Accounting. “This year more than 540 firms vied for the Best of the Best accolade, and Smith and Howard ranked No. 1,” says Platt.

Of the inclusion on the Best of the Best list and the firm’s first year as the number one firm, John Lucht, Managing Partner of Smith and Howard said, “Smith and Howard’s growth and our recognition on this elite list reflect our historical commitment to doing what is right for our clients and our people. We are honored and humbled to be included and are deeply grateful to our loyal clients, employees and friends for their commitment to each other’s success. Our growth value says, ‘We will not sacrifice quality for the sake of growth.’ IPA’s recognition of the quality of our operations and performance, combined with our recognition as a fast growing firm, underscores our commitment in this area and provides assurance to our clients and future clients that we will continue to provide them with superior quality as we grow.

Smith and Howard, one of the top Atlanta CPA firms in size and now the top CPA firm in the nation by way of this IPA ranking, provides global expertise and services with a personal, responsive level of service. Services include tax planning and compliance, state and local tax, sales and use tax, assurance, valuation, SOC reporting, CFO/Controller services, M+A, succession planning and more, primarily for middle market businesses.