Bauknight, Pietras & Stormer ranked top accounting firm

What started as a four-person accounting practice in 1991 is now number one in the Columbia region according to Columbia Business Review’s annual book of lists released earlier this month. Bauknight Pietras & Stormer, P.A. (BPS) climbed to the top based on a multi-disciplinary accounting and tax consultancy that includes 41 certified public accountants (CPAs) and a total staff of 65.

Managing shareholder Kenneth Bauknight, CPA, is one of BPS’ original founders. The number one ranking is gratifying, particularly when considering the work that went into building a large, successful practice from the ground up.

“Starting a business is never easy, but we were fortunate to quickly assemble a talented leadership team with deep experience working with the IRS, global accounting firms and leading local firms. We brought diverse experience and perspectives to the Columbia market that have served our clients well and enabled us to build our business fairly quickly,” said Bauknight.

While BPS is located in Columbia, its clientele is both national and local and includes corporations, privately held businesses, start-up companies, and individuals. The firm has expertise in specialized areas like captive insurance, telecom, real estate, and fiduciary services encompassing business succession planning, trusts and estates. BPS shareholders are recognized experts in these areas, regularly speaking and publishing on these issues. Additionally, BPS Shareholder Russell Bauknight, CPA, was recently named to the World Board of PrimeGlobal, one of the five largest associations of independent accounting firms in the world.

Kenneth Bauknight is equally proud of the firm’s record of job creation and mentoring future CPAs. Each year BPS welcomes interns from both the University of South Carolina and Clemson University to work side-by-side with its professional staff during tax and audit seasons. For the past three years, BPS has been named among the Best Places to Work in South Carolina.

“We’ve worked hard to make BPS a trusted partner to our clients and a great place for people to build careers. Being recognized as number one by Columbia Business Review is an honor,” Bauknight said.

About Bauknight Pietras & Stormer, P.A.

Established in 1991, Bauknight Pietras & Stormer, P.A. (BPS) is among the Southeast’s premier accounting and consulting firms and the largest locally owned public accounting firms in South Carolina. BPS serves as a strategic partner to our clients, providing tax, accounting and assurance, and business planning services as well as trust and estate planning. BPS serves a diverse client base in captive insurance, construction and real estate, employee benefits, hospitality, manufacturing and distribution, professional services, telecommunications, and technology. BPS is a member of Prime Global, an association of private accounting firms. Learn more at www.bpscpas.com.