Randy Scott Leaves a Legacy Beyond His Profession

From the Family and Friends of Randy Scott
March 2012

Randy Scott, the charismatic and visionary founding partner of Scott and Company LLP, died tragically in an automobile accident on January 7, 2012. On that day, Columbia lost more than a proficient accountant, an exemplary family man, a successful entrepreneur, and a charitable community servant – the community lost a rare and gentle soul.

Regarded as a consummate professional, Randy built Scott and Company LLP into a firm with the ability to handle even the most complicated of financial affairs. Randy did far more than create happy clients and turn competitors into colleagues, however; he engendered affection from everyone he met and even from many he did not meet, but whose lives he touched simply by being himself.

A person can be held in no higher esteem than when a competitor considers you a friend first, and a competitor second. Those were the sentiments of many of Randy’s associates in the field. When another CPA needed professional expertise, Randy was often the person they called.

Randy’s Most Prized Possession
As accomplished as Randy was in his professional career and as much as he devoted himself to the life of the community, those who knew Randy best knew his greatest passion was his family. Randy was married to his wonderful wife Kathy for 19 years. He was the proud father of three adult sons, Dale, Brian and Jay. Randy had also recently become a grandfather to Grady and Caroline, the births of whom Randy would have described as the two greatest events of his life.

Randy is also survived by his mother Nancy Scott, his brother Craig, and his three sisters Lisa, Carol and Tina, as well as many aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.  His father Olin Scott passed away in the summer of 2011. Carol works for Scott and Company LLP in marketing and is an important, contributing member of the firm’s staff.

Dale Scott, Randy’s eldest son and a local attorney, says he and his brothers will miss, perhaps most of all, the unwavering support from their father, manifested in the form of daily phone calls, visits and words of encouragement. No matter what the endeavor, Dale said, if we expressed an interest in something, my dad threw his full support behind us. Randy attended every activity and event his sons participated in, from their youth athletic events to the games they coached and the classes they taught as adults. On a recent occasion, Dale recalls expressing concern to his father about a case he was arguing. The next day, Dale was surprised but appreciative when he turned around in a Darlington Courtroom to see his father sitting in the back, silently cheering for him.

Commitment to the Community
The sharing of his own resources – financial, time, intellect and passion – marked Randy’s commitment to the community.

Dianne Chinnes, former president/CEO of Junior Achievement of Central South Carolina, said Randy was one of her most caring and giving volunteers, serving as board member, auditor, adviser, contributor, classroom consultant, supporter and a friend to Junior Achievement.

I never knew a volunteer who was more involved or cared more deeply, she said. Randy was known for his vision, integrity, community service and management skills. His record of achievements clearly demonstrates business excellence and community mindedness.

His legacy will also be known by the young men who grow up involved in the Boy Scouts of America. Randy led the Indian Waters Council through difficult financial times while serving as Council
President, helping them to raise over $1 million in cash and gifts in kind.  In addition, Randy led the successful effort to reopen Camp Barstow for summer camp after it had been closed for three years.
His tireless work on behalf of Scouting earned him the 2007 Silver Beaver Award for outstanding service.

In addition to his dedication to Junior Achievement and the Boy Scouts, Randy served on the following boards and committees: The Juvenile Diabetes Foundation, Richland County Sheriff’s Foundation, Inc., USC Friends of Accounting, Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club of Columbia, Keep America Beautiful and the Columbia Urban Lending Project. In 2004, he won the public service award from the South Carolina Association of CPAs.

His Vision Will Continue with Scott and Company LLP
Randy considered public accounting one of the world’s finest professions. He started Scott and Company LLP in 1995. Having previously been with two of the Big 4 accounting firms, Randy’s idea was to start a firm that offers the quality of service of the larger accounting firms at lower rates. With the help of his partners, Randy pursued this vision. Together they built one of the premier accounting firms in South Carolina, with the expertise to perform services for not only small to medium sized businesses, but some very large and complex clients, including clients registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

The remaining six partners of Scott and Company LLP plan to continue with Randy’s vision, leaving the name of the firm as Scott and Company LLP as Randy wanted says Don Mobley, Partner of Scott and Company LLP. Part of Randy’s vision was to start a high quality CPA firm that would become so established in Columbia and South Carolina that the firm and its name would be synonymous with high quality services and be around long after his passing.

A Friend Indeed
Randy was truly a southern gentleman who never met a stranger. He cared deeply for others and was a friend to people from all walks of life.

Randy Scott was my closest friend in Columbia, said John Hipp, prominent businessman and CEO of New Dominion Bank. I don’t mean a friend who calls you because they want something. He called me weekly and was just interested in finding out what I was doing and how my family was getting along. Even when I retired, he kept calling. When I was dealing with a medical issue, he kept calling, Hipp said. There is a real difference in an acquaintance and a friend. Randy was a true friend.

Hipp is not alone in that sentiment. Chris Asouzu, Director of Finance at Colonial Life Arena considered Randy to be more than just a friend.  Randy was a big brother to me. Our conversations were always centered around our families and our grandkids, says Asouzu.

Hunter Howard, Upstate Managing Partner of Scott and Company LLP, described Randy as a friend, partner and mentor. I will miss him greatly.  He was one of the most gracious people I have ever met.

Randy Scott will be missed, not only as a Columbia icon, but as the gentle soul he was. That big smile, warm greeting and his genuine concern for others will be remembered by all those whose lives he touched.

Scott and Company LLP is a full-service certified public accounting and business consulting firm with offices in Columbia and Greenville, South Carolina and is an independent member of the BDO Seidman Alliance. The team of partners and staff includes 20 people with many years of combined accounting, auditing and tax experience.