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 construction, automobile, 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 Private Equity and Automobile Industry Groups and previously was in the Manufacturing 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 Accounting Technical Advisory Group and oversees the firm’s independence compliance and monitoring program.

Education

BSBA – Accounting, Indiana University of Pennsylvania

Professional and Community Involvement

Member—American and Pennsylvania Institutes of Certified Public Accountants

Member—AICPA Joint Trial Board and former member Independence Subcommittee—Behavioral Standards

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

Butler Country Club—Board of Director, Treasurer

Central Catholic High School—Board of Director, Treasurer

Catholic Charities—Diocese of Pittsburgh Board of Directors, Current Honorary Director and former President, Vice President and Treasurer

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

St. Kilian Parish—Pastoral Finance Council

Leadership Pittsburgh XX

Association for Corporate Growth (ACG)

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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: New Rules For Business Deductions.


Big Thinking: New Tax Planning Strategies To Save $300,000.

Shareholder EVAN OGRODNIK has been with Schneider Downs since 2005 and is one of our experts in tax compliance and planning, accounting, and financial reporting matters.
Evan’s team always worked closely with our clients’ accounting group and Schneider Downs‘ audit team. When the IRS changed the rules on the deductibility of repairs and maintenance versus capitalization of assets, a group of Schneider Downs’ tax specialists performed a deep-dive on the technical rules of this change to develop tax planning strategies for their clients.  In one particular instance, through extensive analysis of the client’s fixed asset ledgers as well as those of related-party commercial rental properties, we were able to find tax savings of approximately $300,000. “Communication with our clients is always critical,” Ogrodnik said. “Our understanding of new, complex regulations, knowledge of our client’s business and internal workings, and the trust the client had in our experts, allowed us to take advantage of tax rules and garner significant deductions.” 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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