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.

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: High Tax Burden For Family-owned Franchisor.


Big Thinking: Comprehensive Planning For A 15% Tax Reduction.

A tax shareholder with more than 25 years of private and public accounting experience, CHRIS MCELROY joined Schneider Downs in 2017 and advises clients in diverse sectors, including consumer products and retail, healthcare, and manufacturing and distribution. Chris' team went to the aid of a family-owned retailer/franchisor that needed to reduce its tax burden to better align with the long-term vision for the business. Schneider Downs' shareholder-led service model positioned the team to have a sophisticated understanding of the client's objectives and leverage opportunities afforded by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. "We helped the client implement a structure to get requisite cash flows to the owners while taking advantage of favorable corporate tax rates, non-U.S. tax planning, and other tax provisions such as QBI and FDII,” said McElroy. “We were able to reduce their overall annual global tax burden by nearly 15% as a result." 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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