Firm Celebrates 70^th Anniversary

Hungerford, Aldrin, Nichols & Carter is celebrating its 70^th anniversary. The locally owned and controlled firm was created in 1941 with a focus on family owned and closely held businesses in West Michigan. In addition to the firm's focus on accounting, tax preparation and planning, and auditing, Hungerford has also created specialty niches that include Specialized Accounting Services, School and Governmental Audit and Consulting Services, Non-profit Auditing Services, Employee Benefit Plan Services, and Broadcast Services. The full-service firm has grown to include over 60 employees.

Hungerford has been recognized numerous times as one of "West Michigan's 101 Best & Brightest Companies to Work For" by the Michigan Business and Professional Association, and was also named one of the "Best Accounting Firms to Work For" in 2010 by Accounting Today magazine. In addition, the firm was named a "Small Business of the Year" by the Greater Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce in 1999.

 

Governmental Services Team Goes East To Go West

Members from the Hungerford Governmental Services Team, including Phil Saurman, Jason Mitchell, and Adriane Schrauben recently attended the Michigan School Business Officials (MSBO) Annual Conference & Exhibit Show held at Cobo Hall in Detroit. This event was attended by 500+ Michigan school district personnel. At the event, Hungerford co-sponsored a breakfast with our event partner, Huntington National Bank, attended by 60+ school business officials from districts across the state of Michigan. In addition, Phil Saurman delivered a morning presentation on "Ethics" as part of the conference program. 

Hungerford and Huntington National Bank shared an exhibit booth developed around a "Western" theme where conference attendees got a taste of the Wild West with root beer or ginger soda, served in a take-home cowboy boot shaped mug. The theme proved to be popular with conference attendees, who voted our booth "Best in Show" for the second year in a row!

 

Hungerford Repeats as ‘Best and Brightest' Winner

For the sixth consecutive year, Hungerford Aldrin, Nichols & Carter has been named one of "West Michigan's 101 Best and Brightest Companies to Work For" by the Michigan Business and Professional Association. This year's winners practice innovative strategies and represent best practices in human resources. According to Hungerford's Managing Shareholder Rick Chrisman, "This award highlights our commitment to our employees as our most important resource."

"We are honored to recognize the efforts of this year's 101 Best and Brightest companies," said Jennifer Kluge, MBPA president. She added, "These companies have created impressive organizational value and business results through their policies and best practices in human resource management. This award has become a designation sought after by hundreds of West Michigan area companies and is a powerful recruitment tool in the drive to attract and retain exceptional employees."

 

Murphy Recognized by Business Journal

Hungerford Shareholder Peggy Murphy has again been named to the Grand Rapids Business Journal's "50 Most Influential Women in West Michigan." The women were honored at the Amway Grand Plaza Ambassador Ballroom in March. The keynote speaker at the event was the daughter of former President Gerald and Betty Ford, Susan Ford Bales.

 

Firm Awards Annual GVSU Scholarship

Tiffany Williams is this year's winner of the $2,000 Hungerford Accounting Scholarship, an annual award given to a student in Grand Valley State's School of Accounting. Tiffany maintains a 4.0 GPA as she pursues a bachelor's degree in business administration, with an emphasis in accounting, and expects to graduate this coming Fall. She is in the process of researching graduate schools, and will also be preparing for taking the CPA exam to obtain certification. This past summer Tiffany volunteered in the accounting department at Family Futures, a non-profit organization. She also joined an on-campus group called "Best Buddies" at GVSU. This organization provides individuals with mental and physical disabilities the opportunity to develop life-long, one-on-one friendships with students.

 

Mitchell Elected V-P of FSU Alumni Board of Directors

Jason Mitchell of Hungerford's Governmental Services department has been elected Vice-President of the Ferris State University Alumni Board of Directors.  Jason will continue to serve as Chair of the Distinguished Alumni Awards and the Legacy Scholarship Awards Committees, host of the annual Spring Reunion Awards Banquet, and serve as a member of the Ferris State University Advocacy Network Committee.

 

Firm Announces Promotions

We're proud to announce the promotions of Janet Bruner, Steve Jahr, Kyle Sischo, and Chris Veldman to Senior Accountant.

 

Annual Accountants Seminar Held

Hungerford's Annual Update for Accountants seminar was held December 1 at Centennial Country Club, including a full breakfast and program. As in the past, in lieu of a registration fee, attendees contributed to our charity, Family Promise. This year's seminar topics included the following:

-Annual Payroll Tax Update

-2011 Tax Update: Tax Simplification - an Oxymoron?

-Prudent Practices for Investment Stewards

-Activity-Based Costing - Understanding the Costs that Drive Your Business

-Record Retention Guidelines - Electronic and Paper

 

Jason P. Mitchell, CPA Honored by Ferris State University

Jason P. Mitchell, CPA received a Ferris State University Distinguished Alumni Pacesetter Award.  The Ferris State University Alumni Association annually recognizes outstanding alumni of the University. This award is designed to recognize recently graduated alumni who, while pursuing their professional endeavors, are "setting the pace" for all Ferris alumni to be involved with their communities and Ferris State University.  Since its initiation, only 27 alumni have received the award, which is considered one of the Alumni Association's highest honors. Jason is a Senior Manager in Hungerford's Governmental Services department.

 

Standard Mileage Rates Increased

The Internal Revenue Service has announced an increase in the optional standard mileage rates for the final six months of 2011. Taxpayers may use the optional standard rates to calculate the deductible costs of operating an automobile for business and other purposes. The rate will increase to 55.5 cents a mile for all business miles driven from July 1, 2011, through Dec. 31, 2011.

The new six-month rate for computing deductible medical or moving expenses will also increase by 4.5 cents to 23.5 cents a mile. The rate for providing services for charitable organizations is set by statute, not the IRS, and remains at 14 cents a mile. Taxpayers always have the option of calculating the actual costs of using their vehicle rather than using the standard mileage rates.

 

Firm Announces Promotions

Hungerford, Aldrin, Nichols & Carter, PC is pleased to announce the promotions of Adriane Schrauben, CPA and Jason P. Mitchell, CPA, to Senior Manager.

Adriane joined Hungerford in 2000, and since then has specialized in fiduciary, gift and estate tax and consulting services and leads this sector of the firm's practice. Adriane also works with the Governmental Services department in providing accounting, auditing and consulting services to school districts.

Jason, as a member firm's Governmental Services department, serves entities such as school districts, cities, townships, villages, district libraries and finance authorities.  He specializes in providing accounting and auditing services, accounting issue consultation, training and assistance with implementation of new professional standards, federal grant administration, as well as fraud and accounting error prevention and detection services. 

 

Hungerford's Electronic Newsletter Now Available

If you'd like to be added to our database to receive our bi-weekly electronic newsletter, please contact our receptionist at 616-949-3200. The newsletter has timely articles and updates geared to your specific interests or business. This information can help keep you informed, and may give you that added edge to set your business apart. It's just another way Hungerford, Aldrin, Nichols & Carter is "Where Good Ideas Add Up."
 

Hungerford Honored by Accounting Today

We're pleased to announce Hungerford, Aldrin, Nichols & Carter PC has been named one of the 2010 Best Accounting Firms to Work For by Accounting Today magazine.

 

Firm Offers Wireless Internet Service

Hungerford now has wireless internet service available in both upstairs conference rooms at our Grand Rapids location at 2910 Lucerne Drive SE.  This allows our guests and clients to use their own computers for presentations/demonstrations and collaborative meetings.  This service is not available when regulators or successor providers are on-site to review client workpapers.