UHY Advisors: Achieving Growth While Delivering the Next Level of Service

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LeighAnn Costley of UHY Advisors


Being on the front end of a growth curve can be exciting for any firm, and challenging as well. Few firms really master growing rapidly while still continuing to deliver an exceptional client experience.

But a few are able to do just that---and many of those firms were honored at our recent 5TH Anniversary Client Advisor Awards luncheon (December, 2010) including UHY Advisors, a 2010 nominee.

Our guest on Growing Professional Services Radio, LeighAnn Costley, is a CPA and Principal with UHY Advisors GA, Inc. and is the practice leader of the Southeast region Tax Services group in Atlanta.

We asked LeighAnn to join us on this week’s program because her firm has been able to maintain a high level of client satisfaction even as they continue to expand and grow their firm. She generously shared how the Firm has been able to do that.

As LeighAnn noted, the foundation of their success comes from the fact that they are a national firm with a local focus. She explained that she and her colleagues in the Southeast have a depth and breadth of knowledge of this market, and when a client’s needs require a specialist, she can leverage the expertise of any of her colleagues on a nationwide basis. So, if a client in the construction industry would benefit from the knowledge of a specialized advisor, LeighAnn can call on the specialist within her firm, regardless of where that person is located. She can help her colleague understand the implications of the region that she knows so well and her colleague can bring exceptional industry knowledge to bear, creating a win/win for her client.

The Financial Leaders Seminar, a quarterly event that UHY Advisors shares with Home Depot has also contributed to the success of the Southeast region. Each quarter, local CFO’s and senior financial executives are able to gain vital information from the thought leaders assembled for the event. The attendees gain CPE credit, but unlike many programs that offer such credits, they gain invaluable broader business knowledge from the Financial Leaders Seminar series. As LeighAnn explained, “the program is real world focused.” The next event is March 17th. To find out more, you can contact Kelly at UHY Adviors – 678-672-4400

While LeighAnn shared many insights on how UHY Advisors has successfully grown the firm in the Southeast, an especially noteworthy point was the fact that individual professionals from UHY remain engaged with clients for many years, thus allowing them to gain a deep knowledge of the client and the unique needs they have. Having gained that knowledge, the Firm’s professionals are able to be highly proactive rather than reactive.

UHY Advisors has been successful by doing things differently, whether it is for their middle-market clients or the larger corporations served by their consulting practice.

You can download our Podcast here to gain many more helpful insights on how UHY Advisors delivers the “next level of service” that they promise and how they managed to win the coveted nomination for the 2010 Client Advisor Award.

Our guest:

LeighAnn Costley

LeighAnn is a Principal with UHY Advisors GA, Inc. and is the practice leader of the Southeast region Tax Services group in Atlanta. She is a Certified Public Accountant in the states of Georgia and Michigan.

Professional Experience:

• Over 15 years of experience, including as a Director in the Private Client Advisors practice of a Big Four accounting firm.
• Significant experience providing comprehensive tax compliance and consulting services to a variety of clients including:
• Closely held corporations
• Individuals
• Partnerships
• Tax-exempt entities
• Trusts
• Highly skilled at assisting clients with the identification and implementation of tax planning strategies designed to increase profits, preserve wealth and achieve short and long term goals. 
• Assists clients and represents them in cases involving IRS scrutiny.
• Serves clients in various industries, including:
• Family Offices
• Manufacturing
• Private Equity
• Professional Services
• Real Estate
• Sports Franchises
• Telecommunications

Education:

• Masters of Science in Taxation, Walsh College – Troy, Michigan
• Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, University of Michigan – Ann Arbor,Michigan

Active and Prior Professional Memberships Include:

• Member – American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
• Member – Georgia Society of Certified Public Accountants
• Member – Michigan Association of Certified Public Accountants

Active and Prior Community Involvement Include:

• Chair of the Board of Directors – Kate’s Club, Inc.
• Member – United Way Tocqueville Society