EDWARD R. FRIEL CPA

Edward has more than 30 years of public accounting experience. He joined the firm in October 1996 and has been a shareholder since 2005. Edward’s background includes serving a variety of clients in the dealerships, construction, mining, manufacturing, transportation, oil and gas, investment and professional service, retail industries and the nonprofit sector. He is a trusted business advisor, providing clients with proactive and timely advice on matters including accounting, finance, governance and general business guidance.

Edward is a member of the firm’s Dealerships, Private Equity Services and Energy and Natural Resources Industry Groups. These groups are responsible for developing specialized knowledge for these industry segments. He is also a member of the firm’s Audit Operating Group and oversees the firm’s independence compliance and monitoring program.

Professional and Community Involvement

Member—American and Pennsylvania Institutes of Certified Public Accountants

Finance Council—Diocese of Pittsburgh

Pastoral Finance Council—Saint Mark the Evangelist Parish

Leadership Pittsburgh XX

Association for Corporate Growth (ACG)

Former Member—AICPA Joint Trial Board and the Independence Subcommittee—Behavioral Standards

Former Member—PICPA—Professionals Ethics Committee and Pittsburgh Chapter Executive Committee and Scholarship Fund Trustee

Former Board of Director (former President, Vice President and Treasurer)—Catholic Charities—Diocese of Pittsburgh

Past President, Treasurer and Board Member Emeritus—Rebuilding Together Pittsburgh

Former Board of Director, Treasurer—Butler Country Club

Former Board of Director, Treasurer—Central Catholic High School

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Do you have a hobby or personal passion?
I love following Pittsburgh’s sports teams.

What was the best advice you’ve ever received?
Try to learn from every experience, whether it’s good or bad.

Who was your role model?
My father

If you could go back in time, what advice would you give your college self?
Take more advantage of opportunities that are presented

People would be surprised to know that I…….
….am a history buff, specifically Revolutionary and Civil War history.

What is the best or most interesting thing about your career?
I think it’s fascinating that I learn every day. Often, it’s not about accounting…but rather about the industries of our clients.

What was your first job?
I was a paperboy.

Do you have a “motto?”
Winston Churchill’s line, “Never, never, never give up.”

Do you have advice for young professionals?
Find something you are passionate about and go do it.

Our Thoughts On

FEATURED

Big Problem: A Limited Employee Benefit Plan.


Big Thinking: Increased Contributions And Employee Retention.

Shareholder JOE BRUCE has more than 21 years of public accounting experience since joining Schneider Downs in 1996. He has expertise with a variety of clients including construction, manufacturing, retail, oil and gas industries, and employee benefit plans.
One of Joe’s clients had a successful business and was interested in contributing more to their retirement accounts. However, the client was limited by the existing employee benefit plan structure and IRS contribution limitations on their existing structure. Joe’s team was familiar with the structure of their existing plan and offered to do an analysis of their options. “The Schneider Downs Retirement Plan Solutions Group suggested a cash balance plan and provided an analysis to the business owners which quantified the impact and provided options to allow the client to evaluate the direction they were most comfortable moving forward with.” Bruce said. “The client elected to adopt the cash balance plan and was able to significantly increase contributions into the owners’ retirement accounts. This also enhanced the quality of the retirement benefits for their employees, which in turn helped improve employee retention.” 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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