NIU alumnus Bruce Cook, CPA, MST, has been named senior tax manager for the Apple Growth Partners (AGP) Chicago office. AGP is an award-winning accounting and business advisory firm, which has expanded services to businesses in the state of Illinois, with professionals now practicing in Chicago. The Chicago office is the first extension of the firm to be located outside of Northeastern Ohio.
As an experienced accountant, Cook will focus on tax compliance and consulting, along with staffing, budgeting, and business development. He will work with several industries including manufacturing, distribution, professional services, leasing companies, real estate, and restaurants. Cook holds a Master of Science in Taxation from the Northern Illinois University College of Business and its accountancy program.
Two additional hires to AGP Chicago include: Andrea Conti, PMP, who joined as assistant director of tax operations and holds certification as a Project Management Professional, and; Josh Jonaitis, CPA, who returns to AGP as a tax manager, after beginning his career with AGP as an intern and associate to then grow his accounting career as a manager, taking on additional responsibilities as a team leader.
The recent staff expansion directly results from the firm’s aggressive growth plan, including the AGP Anywhere program, empowering employees to choose where they work best.
“These professionals joining our leadership team each represent a major development within our firm,” comments Chuck Mullen, AGP chairman. “Bruce is the second leadership role we’ve hired in Chicago, Andrea is bringing her expertise as a project manager to our tax department, and Josh is returning to AGP after beginning his career with us. These are significant milestones and a result of our growth plan and focus on culture.”
AGP President Erica Ishida agrees. “Our firm is concentrated on strategic growth over the next 10 years, including expanding our team remotely and tackling scheduling and project management head-on,” states Ishida. “Adding Bruce, Andrea, and Josh to our team helps us achieve our advancement trajectory while setting AGP up for success in how we work.”
Apple Growth Partners is an award-winning accounting and business advisory firm with more than 77 years of creative solutions that deliver healthy, sustainable growth. AGP offers a full range of services for privately held businesses, including tax planning and compliance, audit and assurance, business valuation, litigation consulting, employee stock ownership plans, fraud prevention and detection, family office services for High-Net-Worth individuals, and transaction advisory. AGP’s mission statement is championing the Healthy Growth® of our people, our clients, and our communities through authenticity, world-class service, and taking care of each other.
reposted from Yahoo, M. De Jean, Director of Marketing, NIU College of Business
