INSIDE Public Accounting names Bauknight Pietras & Stormer as a 2020 Best of the Best Firm
September 10, 2020
During one of the most challenging years the public accounting industry has ever faced, Bauknight Pietras & Stormer, P.A. (BPS) has risen above it and in so doing, has been recognized by INSIDE Public Accounting (IPA) as one of the 50 Best of the Best public accounting firms in America for 2020. BPS was also lauded as one of the nation’s fastest growing public accounting firms.
BPS is the only South Carolina firm included in IPA’s annual compilation of top public accounting firms. Neighboring Georgia has five honorees while North Carolina has two. This is IPA’s 30th Annual Survey and Analysis of public accounting firms; selection as the Best of the Best is based on a firm’s performance in key areas of management, strategic vision and growth. Honorees are considered among the highest performing public accounting firms in North America.
BPS Managing Shareholder Russell L. Bauknight said the honor is particularly meaningful given the events of the last six months of the COVID-19 pandemic. “Businesses try to plan for the unknown, but I don’t think global pandemics were on our list! BPS had to immediately execute on four critical fronts: keeping our people safe, being available for clients who count on us as their trusted advisor, staying abreast of directives from the federal and state governments on tax deadlines, the Cares Act and Paycheck Protection Program, and other emergency response programs; and running our own business.”
He continued, “I’m extremely proud of the way the BPS team responded during this very stressful time, adapting to work from home orders and social distancing, while continuing to stand strong for our clients. Fortunately, BPS has a deeply ingrained culture, which allowed us to persevere and maintain focus on priorities.”
Firms of all sizes from across North America were eligible for the 2020 Best of the Best public accounting firms list. IPA analyzed more than 540 firms before selecting the top 50. A proprietary scoring system removed any imbalances that could be attributed to a firm’s size or proximity to a major metropolitan area. The result is a clear picture of the best managed firms and their characteristics.
Said IPA Publisher Michael Platt, a principal with the Platt Group, “Best of the Best firms represent the top performers in their peer group, which is an exceptional accomplishment in the competitive world of public accounting. They excel by leaning in to help their clients, being proactive and seeking solutions, not just selling services. And while most firms can boast that having good people, one hallmark common across Best of Bests firms is their ability to leverage their team and create employee opportunities by building an environment team members are excited about and proud to work for.”
This latest honor comes less than eight months after BPS was recognized by global media company Forbes as being among the top recommended tax and accounting firms in America. A total of 227 firms were named to the Forbes list. BPS was one of 90 firms recognized for both tax and accounting services and one of only two South Carolina firms on the Forbes list.
About Bauknight Pietras & Stormer, P.A. (BPS)
Established in 1991, BPS is among the Southeast’s premier accounting and consulting firms and among the largest locally owned public accounting firms in South Carolina with 31 Certified Public Accountants and 38 professional staff. BPS is a strategic partner to clients in the insurance, construction and real estate, employee benefits, hospitality, manufacturing and distribution, professional services, telecommunications, and technology industries. BPS is a member of Prime Global, an association of private accounting firms, and in 2019 was recognized by Forbes as being among the top recommended tax and accounting firms in America. Learn more at www.bpscpas.com.
