THOMAS D. PRATT CPA, ABV, CFF, CVA

Tom has more than 35 years of experience in public accounting and business consulting providing forensic accounting, litigation support, business valuation and financial reorganization services to a diverse client base. His clients have ranged from large publicly-traded companies to middle market and small, closely-held businesses. His clients also have included numerous governmental entities and not-for-profit organizations. Tom works with clients from a wide variety of industries including construction, manufacturing, retail, energy, professional services, healthcare, technology and financial services.

Tom has led hundreds of consulting engagements during his career, including internal investigations of allegations of fraud and misconduct, analysis of Ponzi and other fraud schemes, business and fraud risk evaluation, shareholder and partner disputes, commercial damages, economic losses and business interruption claims. He has also performed business and intellectual property valuations for litigation, financial reporting and other purposes such as estate, gift tax and ESOPs.

Tom has extensive experience in the presentation of complex financial and accounting analyses to business executives, boards of directors and government officials. He has testified as an expert in both federal and state courts and arbitration proceedings on accounting and valuation matters, and has served as a neutral mediator in financial disputes.

Education

B.A. – Accounting, Westminster College

Professional and Community Involvement

Member – American and Pennsylvania Institutes of Certified Public Accountants

Board Member – Presbyterian SeniorCare, Chair of Budget and Finance Committee, Member of Executive Committee

Member – National Association of Certified Valuation Analysts

Member – Licensing Executives Society

Member – FBI Citizens Academy Alumni Association, Class of 2017-XVIII

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Do you have a hobby or personal passion?
I play the bass in the band at my church every Sunday.

What was the best advice you’ve ever received?
My Dad encouraged me to study accounting when I wanted to switch majors in college. He said that if I understood accounting, I would be prepared for anything because accounting is the foundation of all business.

Who was your role model?
My father-in-law, Dean English. He set an excellent example for setting priorities and balance among Church, Family and Business.

What was your childhood dream?
My childhood dream was to play shortstop for the Pittsburgh Pirates – whose wasn’t?

People would be surprised to know that I…….
…was originally a music major until I switched to accounting.

Do you have a “motto?”
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men – Colossians 3:23

Our Thoughts On

FEATURED

Big Problem: Redundant Back Office Functions.


Big Thinking: Back Office Consolidation Project Saves $600,000 Annually.

Shareholder DON APPLEGARTH has more than 26 years of public accounting experience and is the practice leader of the Schneider Downs Accounting, Assurance and Advisory Services department. He has experience serving companies in a variety of industries, including but not limited to manufacturing, retail, construction, real estate, transportation and logistics, and natural resources.
Don’s team had an ongoing audit engagement with a large manufacturing company that ran two subsidiaries as if they were separate companies. This resulted in disparate accounting, human resources and IT functions. In addition to providing traditional audit and tax services, Don tapped the expertise of Schneider Downs’ Technology Services, Risk Advisory Services, and Human Resource experts to present a comprehensive back office consolidation plan. “We conducted a comprehensive back office assessment of technology, processes, and a skills assessment of existing client personnel,” Applegarth said. “Leveraging strong relationships with the owner and key decision makers, the client trusted our multi-disciplinary team to come up with an effective back office implementation that ended up saving the company more than $600,000 annually. The client knew there would be savings, but they were extremely pleased with the amount of savings, new synergies, and tangible benefits to the Company’s operations going forward.” Schneider Downs provides Big Thinking and Personal Focus in delivering a variety of services for large and small businesses, both publicly and privately held, as well as nonprofit organizations, government entities and more. Through our commitment to thought leadership and knowledge management, we deliver the solutions our clients need with a personal commitment to service.

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