PATRICK F. KERNS CPA

Patrick has nearly 20 years of experience serving a variety of real estate, higher education, construction, retail, not-for-profit, employee benefit plan and professional services clients.

Patrick is responsible for the management, coordination and delivery of accounting and advisoryrelated services to all of his engagements. These responsibilities require knowledge of clients and their industries, strong project management skills, the ability to develop distinctive client relationships, familiarity with financial reporting requirements and key technical pronouncements, and an understanding of the operating and internal control risks and concerns of the entities served. In addition, Patrick focuses on providing timely, pragmatic and insightful feedback on business risks and opportunities for improving and adapting to evolving regulatory environments. He works closely with the firm’s integrated resources to ensure that his clients receive well-researched guidance on the many ways issues may impact them.

Patrick also has a passion for technology and process improvement and seeks to bring those ideas to his clients as part of his commitment and passion for seeing his clients continue to evolve and improve.

Professional and Community Involvement

Member—American and Pennsylvania Institutes of Certified Public Accountants

Member—Schneider Downs Real Estate Industry Group

Member—Duquesne University Alumni Advisory Council

Chair—Schneider Downs Higher Education Group

Chair—Schneider Downs Business to Consumer Industry Group

Member—Schneider Downs Assurance Technical Advisory Committee

Past Chair—ACG’s Pittsburgh Chapter Future Corporate Leaders Board

Past President—Duquesne Young Alumni Council

Coach—Ingomar Franklin Park Little League

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Do you have a hobby/personal passion?  
Running, swimming and spending time with my family.

What was the best advice you’ve ever received?
Be true to yourself and always be honest.

Who is your role model?
My parents.  They taught me to work hard and never give up on your dreams.

What was your childhood dream?
To be a farmer.

If you could go back in time, what advice would you give your college self? 
Study abroad and travel more, you will never regret and you will never have more time than in college.

People would be surprised to know that I…
Built a second story deck (mostly) by myself.

What is the best or most interesting thing about your career?
Everyday I get to work with an amazing team of people and help to find solutions for a multitude of business issues and meet more great people.

What was your first job?
My first job was a cashier at a small grocery store.

When you have an hour of free time, what do you like to do?
Read, I have a passion for reading and learning

Do you have advice for young professionals?
Find a career with people that you enjoy as the people make the difference and make it more than a job.

Our Thoughts On

FEATURED

Big Problem: A Not-for-profit Client Out Of 401(k) Compliance.


Big Thinking: Allowing More Contributions By Highly Paid Employees.

Shareholder JASON LUMPKIN serves as a Practice Unit Leader for SDAdvantage Retirement Solutions. He has more than 17 years of qualified retirement plan experience, primarily serving middle market, closely held businesses. His background includes plan design, documentation reporting, participant education, and ongoing administration for defined contribution plans, including employee stock ownership plans.
While working with one of our non profit clients, Jason’s team discovered that the organization was failing non-discrimination testing due to poor 401(k) participation among its employees. To address the issue, we recommended the implementation of a second retirement plan, a 403(b) plan, that would cover only the highly paid employees, allowing them to contribute the maximum amounts without concern for the limits imposed by the 401(k) plan’s non-discrimination testing. “These top employees were no longer constrained by the limits of the 401(k) plan testing results,” Jason said. “Plus, the organization no longer had to be concerned about the non-discrimination test. We also avoided implementing a “safe harbor” design in the 401(k) plan, which can result in costly employer contributions and vesting provisions that favor short-term employees.” 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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