Milwaukee-based Wipfli (FY17 net revenue of $274.8 million) admitted 13 professionals to partnership.

Chris Blaylock was admitted as an audit partner in the manufacturing and distribution practice in La Crosse, Wis. In his role, Blaylock assists middle market clients with financial accounting and reporting matters and related business considerations. He is also a leader of Wipfli’s research and development tax credit service line.

Michael Carlson was admitted as an audit partner in the financial institutions practice in St. Paul, Minn. For more than 17 years, Carlson has focused on serving community banks and credit unions. In his current role, he provides a range of services to financial institutions from audits and SOC attestation engagements to loan reviews, while specializing in FDICIA consulting and mergers and acquisitions.

Karl Eck was admitted as an audit partner in the nonprofit and government practice in Madison, Wis. Eck has more than 17 years of experience in working with grant-funded nonprofit organizations, providing audit, consulting and training services. He also provides training on various topics at Wipfli’s annual national conferences, as well as webinars specific to indirect cost rate agreements.

Mark Elliott was admitted as an audit partner in the manufacturing and distribution, and construction and real estate practices. He is based in Rockford, Ill., and has more than 20 years of experience. Elliott specializes in assisting manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, contractors and other closely held businesses manage various aspects of their businesses.

Scott Hanson was admitted as a tax partner in Duluth, Minn. Hanson has more than 15 years of public accounting experience working with closely held businesses, individuals, and estates and trusts. He specializes in income tax planning and compliance for C corporations, S corporations and LLCs, valuation, merger and acquisition services, and estate taxation and trust income taxation.

Jim Hyland was admitted as an audit partner in the health care practice in Milwaukee. Hyland has more than 17 years of experience in public accounting with a focus on conducting and managing financial statement audits for health care organizations. He has specialized in attestation services to health care clients, as well as tax-exempt financings, risk assessment, and internal control improvements and employee benefit plan audits.

Tammy Jelinek was admitted as a consulting partner in the nonprofit and government practice in Madison, Wis. With more than 25 years of experience working in and with nonprofit organizations and for-profit businesses, Jelinek is active in client education and serves as a contact for clients to the range of consulting services and trainings.

Paul Johnson was admitted as a risk advisory and forensic services partner in St. Paul, Minn. Drawing from more than 20 years in the IT and information security fields, Johnson is a member of Wipfli’s risk advisory services practice, where he works with clients to assess, improve and test their information security and risk management programs. He also helps clients determine their compliance with health care security requirements including HIPAA and HITRUST.

Holly Kohl was admitted as an audit partner in the manufacturing and distribution practice. She is based in Wausau, Wis. With more than 18 years of experience, Kohl has experience working with manufacturing and commercial clients providing audit and accounting services. As a leader in the employee benefit plan audit practice, Kohl develops and provides internal training, as well as ensures the quality of employee benefit plan audits in accordance with the most current Department of Labor requirements and accounting and reporting standards.

Sara Mikuta was admitted as a risk advisory and forensic services partner in the financial institutions practice in Westchester, Ill. A 30-year banking industry veteran, Mikuta leads the financial institutions practice’s risk advisory and forensic services team that solely focuses on serving the financial institutions industry. Her team is responsible for the development and delivery of internal audit services, regulatory compliance examination services, loan portfolio services, information technology services, and fiduciary and trust services for banks and credit unions.

Kevin Paul was admitted as a tax partner in Media, Penn. With more than 15 years of experience, Paul specializes in individual, family entity, trust, estate and gift tax compliance, planning, and consulting for high-net-worth individuals and their families. He assists various types of businesses and individuals with financial, insurance and investment management planning consulting services.

Ryan Risley was admitted as a technology consulting partner in the information technology group in Reston, Va. Risley is a member of the technology consulting practice and leads the chief information officer (CIO) advisory services practice. In his role, Risley helps CIOs and other chief executives align business strategy.

Matt Rowley was admitted as a technology consulting partner in the information technology group in Reston, Va. He is a member of the technology consulting practice and leads the intellectual property development practice. In his role, he has built and led client service teams that drive financial, operational and process improvement transformations.

Brett Henry

Great Bend, Kan.-based Adams Brown Beran & Ball (FY16 net revenue of $18.2 million) promoted Brett Henry principal.

“Brett’s hard work and dedication has distinguished him at the firm,” says Brian Staats, MP “We congratulate him on this significant achievement.”

In his new role, Henry will continue assisting clients with their tax and accounting needs. He will also specialize in tax work for the oil and gas industries, specifically long-term tax planning designed to help companies increase cash flow. Additionally, he serves as the firm’s energy (oil and gas) segment leader. He has been with the firm since 2006 and previously served as a senior manager.

Anthony Reh

Chicago-based BDO USA (FY17 net revenue of $1.4 billion) has named Anthony Reh as assurance OMP for the Atlanta office.

In this role, Reh will be responsible for overseeing the growth of the office with a continued focus on exceptional client service, management of professionals and strengthened relationships in the local community. He will also continue to service both public and private clients in a number of industries including technology, manufacturing, distribution, retail and nonprofit.

“Anthony is an ideal candidate for Assurance Office Managing Partner,” says Paul Heiselmann, Southeast Region MP. “He is a recognized leader in his field and his extensive experience makes him an invaluable asset to the firm.”

Reh has more than 15 years of experience helping clients navigate complex transactions including mergers and acquisitions, recapitalizations and reorganizations. He routinely assists with the application of complex accounting and reporting issues.

Karen Schuler

Chicago-based BDO USA (FY17 net revenue of $1.4 billion) admitted Karen Schuler to partnership. In this role, Schuler will be responsible for helping global and highly regulated clients develop sustainable programs that are aligned with an organization’s strategy. Previously, Schuler was managing director in the Washington D.C. office.

“Her deep knowledge of complex corporate challenges, coupled with her passion for helping clients makes her an invaluable asset to our team,” says Bill Eisig, Atlantic Region MP.

Schuler has more than 25 years of experience managing global organizations that provide information security, GRC and forensic services. She is a testifying expert and well-known presenter and author on high risk corporate issues impacting global organizations. She has held executive level positions for some of the largest global service providers, is a former member of the United States SEC’s forensic team, and is currently BDO’s data and information governance practice leader.

Christopher Neal

Richmond, Va.-based Cherry Bekaert (FY17 net revenue of $173.8 million) admitted Christopher Neal as a tax partner in the Richmond office.

Neal will advise clients in the areas of tax minimization strategies, tax implications of business transactions and tax provision compliance. He will also serve as a member of THInc, Cherry Bekaert’s specialty practice that provides innovative solutions to clients in the industrial, technology and health and life sciences sectors.

Neal focuses his practice on clients in the industrial, real estate, construction and private equity sectors. He has more than eight years of public accounting experience, and a background working with C corporations, S corporations and partnerships in the middle market.

Mark Batliner

Bethesda, Md.-based Calibre CPA Group (FY16 net revenue of $23 million) admitted Mark Batliner as a partner.

Batliner has recently relocated from the Chicago office to the New York office. As partner, he works directly with labor union and employee benefit clients, as well as helps to mentor and train Calibre CPA Group staff as they perform audit and accounting services.

“As Calibre CPA Group continues to grow and expand the reach of our services, we are fortunate to have a person like Mark ready to take on the responsibilities and leadership that comes with being a partner,” says James Kokolas, MP.

Omaha, Neb.-based Lutz (FY17 net revenue of $35 million) admitted four new shareholders.

Tyler Bartruff joined Lutz in 2012 and has more than six years of professional accounting and consulting experience. As a tax and consulting shareholder, his responsibilities will include transaction planning and consulting for business organizations, estate planning for individuals and tax return compliance. Additionally, he will provide consulting services on litigation support projects, business valuations, merger and acquisition planning and partnership equity allocation modeling.

Stephanie Hand joined Lutz in 2005 and has more than 17 years of experience. As a human resources shareholder, she plays a key role in the people strategy for the firm including Lutz’s performance and talent management, recruiting, employee relations and retention efforts.

Jared Hardy joined Lutz in 2005 and has more than 12 years of experience in public accounting. As an audit shareholder, he provides accounting, auditing and consulting services to privately held companies in a variety of industries, including construction, manufacturing, franchising and retail industries. He has also made the decision to transition to the Grand Island, Neb. office.

Gary Newton joined Lutz in 2012 with more than 29 years of experience. As a Lutz tech shareholder, his primary responsibilities are managing and designing network solutions for new and existing clients, as well as designing, managing and supporting local and wide area networks.