Richardson & Associates Named Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber’s 2011 Small Business of the Year

Nov. 14, 2011 - PRLog -- Richardson & Associates, LLC is an extraordinary public accounting firm. The company, led by CPA Sherri Richardson, provides exemplary accounting, auditing and grant writing services to both the public and private sector.

            The progressive, community minded company was recently recognized as one of the region’s top businesses by the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber, when it was named 2011 Small Business of the Year (for companies with one to 50 employees.)

           “I was – at once -- very humbled, surprised, happy and excited when they announced the company as the winner at the Small Business Excellence Awards luncheon,” Ms. Richardson said. “My entire staff went up to accept the award – because I truly credit our whole excellent team. They are the ones I depend on to help the business grow and retain clients.”

   Richardson & Associates has also won two other major awards. In 2010, Ms. Richardson received the Future Leaders of the Year Award from the City of Cincinnati. And in 2009, the company received the Emerging Business of the Year from the African American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky.

          “It’s our business model to find the best and brightest accounting students in their junior or senior year,” Ms. Richardson said. “We train them in the basics of accounting, ethics, client retention, auditing, and they stay with us through their professional career. We help them get invaluable experience and training and we get their loyalty. Our staff of six accountants and one support person is a good mix of seasoned accountants and young, clean slates. Excellence is the minimum standard we follow when providing services.”

           The company’s track record shows the business model works! Since its inception, Richardson & Associates has more than tripled its staff and revenue.

   But what makes the firm distinctive is that the seven member staff also helps their clients increase revenue. “Our goal is to decrease our clients’ costs and increase their revenue,” Ms. Richardson said. “We stay engaged in the community and engaged politically, so we stay on the cutting edge of events in the Tri-State and know what projects are being started. We’re also certified as a SBE, DBE, MBE, WBE and EDGE business.”

   Theresa Harper, the firm's Business Development Manager, said Richardson &  Associates' motto is much more than just a tag line. “We are truly `Accounting For Your Success.'® We have more than tripled the revenue of several of our clients – sometimes by suggesting new revenue streams. We arm ourselves with the latest trends in each client's business and propel them to higher heights than they imagined. That's because we look beyond the day to day operations and project future revenue options.”

   Giving back to the community is a basic part of the culture of Richardson & Associates. Its community service policy allows staff to serve some hours “on the clock,” with the firm paying them during their volunteer hours.  

   Staff members mentor nine children in a special needs class at Rockdale Academy as a part of Cincinnati Public Schools’ “Adopt A Class” program. The firm participates in the “Accounting For Kids” program, which introduces accounting to children in a fun way. And Ms. Harper chairs the local NAACP’s ACT-SO (Afro-Academics, Cultural, Technological, Science Olympics) youth program and serves as youth advisor for 25 junior and senior high school students.
   
   Staff members serve on the boards of the Ohio Justice and Policy Center and the Cincinnati Chapter of the NAACP. The company donates hundreds of hours of accounting work to nonprofits.
   
   Richardson & Associates is also a “green” company -- printing only when necessary, using “cloud” accounting to take care of clients remotely, and filing taxes for clients electronically. “We have a commitment to sustainability, and support the educational, social and environmental health of our community,” Ms. Richardson said.

          Richardson & Associates is now accepting new clients and a second location is opening up soon in Over The Rhine. Contact the firm at 513-772-8348, log onto www.richardsonandassociates.com , visit us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.

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