Hawkins Ash CPAs Exhibit Expertise in Employee Benefit Plan Audits with AICPA Advanced Certificate

Hawkins Ash accounting firm

Written by Corenne Gutierrez

October 17, 2018

Hawkins Ash CPAs is pleased to announce that Erica Knerzer, CPA, Charles Wendlandt, CPA, Randall Miller, CPA, Abe Leis, CPA, and Randy Juedes, CPA, have earned the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants’ (AICPA) Advanced Defined Contribution Plans Audit Certificate.

The certificate program was designed to show certificate awardees’ high level of competency and commitment to performing high-quality audits. Developed by leading experts and members of AICPA’s Employee Benefit Plans Audit Quality Center, the competency-based examination for certification tests one’s ability to plan, perform and evaluate employee benefit plan audits in accordance with the latest AICPA standards and Department of Labor and IRS requirements. The certificate acknowledges their achievement by declaring their dedication to quality and distinguishes their knowledge and expertise in this area.

Learn more about Hawkins Ash CPAs ERISA Audit Services>

Erica Knerzer, CPA

Erica Knerzer AICPA Advanced CertificateKnerzer is a senior audit manager in the Hawkins Ash CPAs La Crosse, WI, office. She serves as the co-chair of the Employee Benefit Plan services group, focusing on the development of employee benefit plan audits and also works on audits of privately held organizations. Erica joined the firm in 2000 and is also a member of the firm’s Audit and Accounting Committee. She is a graduate for UW-La Crosse and is a Certified Public Accountant.

 

Charlie Wendlandt, CPA

Charlie Wendlandt AICPA Advanced CertificateWendlandt joined Hawkins Ash CPAs in 2011. As a manager in the firm’s Marshfield office, his main responsibilities include planning, test of transactions and preparation of financial statements for ERISA audits outside of tax season. During tax season, he works on compilations and reviews and the preparation of corporate tax returns. Charlie serves as co-chairperson of the firm’s Employee Benefit Plan Service Group. He is a graduate of UW-Eau Claire and is a Certified Public Accountant.

 

Randy Miller, CPA

Randy Miller AICPA Advanced CertificateMiller has provided accounting and auditing services from the firm’s Manitowoc, WI office since 1982. He is the quality control partner of the firm’s Accounting and Auditing Committee and is the chairperson of the firm’s Executive Committee. He is also a member of the firm’s Employee Benefit Plan Service Group and Governmental Service Group. He has extensive experience providing accounting and auditing services to commercial entities, governmental entities, nonprofit organizations and employee benefit plans. He is the firm’s designated partner for the AICPA Governmental Audit Quality Center. He is a graduate of UW-Whitewater and is a Certified Public Accountant.

Randy Juedes, CPA

Randy Juedes AICPA Advanced CertificateJuedes joined Hawkins Ash CPAs in 2001. As partner-in-charge of the Hawkins Ash CPAs Medford, WI, office, his experience includes audits of commercial entities and employee benefit plans and individual and corporate taxation. He is a member of the firm’s Employee Benefit Plan Service Committee and Accounting and Audit Committee. He also serves on the firm’s Executive Committee. He is a graduate of UW-Eau Claire and is a Certified Public Accountant. He is the firm’s partner for the AICPA Employee Benefit Plan Audit Quality Center.

 

Abe Leis, CPA

Abe Leis AICPA Advanced CertificateLeis is the firm’s Managing Partner, based in La Crosse, WI, the firm’s headquarters. He joined Hawkins Ash CPAs in 1998 after starting his career as an intern. Abe also serves clients and has extensive knowledge and experience working with commercial entities, real estate entities, tax credit projects, retirement plan audits, and private school audits. He is a graduate of UW-La Crosse and is a Certified Public Accountant.

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Corenne Gutierrez
I joined Hawkins Ash CPAs in 2011. As the Firm's marketing manager, I develop and deploy strategic marketing and communications plans to fulfill the marketing goals of the Firm as a whole, each office and business line.

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