Annual Report 2025
Growing Our Impact
Empowering Entrepreneurs
Teneka Williams is the founder of Royal Petals ATL, a flower shop located in Southwest Atlanta. Royal Petals is not your typical florist – it is a vibrant movement to uplift each other through the power of florals. Early in her professional journey, Teneka realized she needed more than just a passion to serve the community for her business to survive. That’s where the Building Resilient Entrepreneurs (BRE) Pilot Program came in.
A collaborative partnership between Aprio, the United Way of Greater Atlanta, The UPS Foundation, and Truist Small Business Banking, BRE is designed to address the challenges faced by underrepresented small business owners in the Atlanta area, along with other fundamental business elements, including retirement planning, insurance, and other financial essentials.
With invaluable input from Aprio’s Black Business Forum, the BRE Pilot Program welcomed 15 small business owners in September 2024 who participated in a six-month journey of business development workshops, access to valuable resources, mentorship, and networking opportunities, as well as a 1:1 match of up to $1,500 in savings.
The pilot program culminated with eligible entrepreneurs participating in the Spark Prize Pitch competition, where they had the chance to win up to $7,500 in additional capital. Teneka placed first in the Spark Prize Competition and received the Fan Favorite Award.
Following this successful launch, Aprio is scaling the BRE program in 2026 to focus on the restaurant, franchise, and hospitality industry. With input from our Aprio professionals in this space, the expanded program will support entrepreneurs with industry-specific curriculum, resources, and guidance to help them build thriving operations.
“This was a solid combination of both personal and professional development. When you really pull back the layers of what we created, we provided tools not only for the business owners and entrepreneurs benefit, but for the individual as well.”
Aprio’s IMPACT
Aprio was recognized with the IMPACT Corporate Innovative Project of the Year Award for our Building Resilient Entrepreneurs (BRE) Program. In partnership with the United Way of Greater Atlanta, the program directly supports underrepresented small business owners with mentorship, funding, and resources, and is one of the many ways Aprio team members are Making a Difference. The honor was presented at the 28th Annual Corporate Volunteer Council of Atlanta (CVC) Impact Awards, which recognizes companies that successfully utilize their team members’ skills to support a nonprofit or community partner.
A Tangible IMPACT
In addition to our year-round volunteer efforts, Aprio team members in the U.S., Colombia, and the Philippines mark their calendars each November for an entire week of IMPACT. Community IMPACT Week is our annual volunteer campaign where we take our #Make a Difference Fundamental global, creating meaningful, positive impact across the communities and organizations we passionately support.
Whether volunteering solo, with Aprio colleagues, or rallying friends, family and clients, our team members show up and show out, collectively participating in volunteer projects across the U.S. and around the world. This year marked our largest impact yet with more volunteers, more hours, and more organizations supported.
IMPACT By the Numbers
“The Aprio volunteer shirt represents more than a day of service; it represents our shared commitment to show up, give back, and use our time and talents to support the communities we’re part of. Wearing it is a reminder that even small actions, when done together, can create real impact.”
“Working for an organization that values community involvement is incredibly important to me. I have always aspired to have a job where I can make a meaningful impact, and Aprio provides that opportunity. Through various volunteer initiatives, I feel empowered to contribute positively and make a difference in the community.”
“IMPACT Week brings our values to life. There’s incredible energy as Aprio team members come together with purpose, generosity, and heart—stepping outside their day-to-day roles to serve our communities. It’s a powerful reminder that leadership shows up at every level, and when we give our time and talents with intention, our impact reaches far beyond the office.”
“My volunteer impact means finding and creating the good I want to see in the world. It is inspiring to see firsthand all the good our local nonprofits do for members of our community, and it is incredibly uplifting to help uplift others.”
Funding the Food Fight
Each year, Aprio team members join together to help put food on tables during the Georgia Society of CPAs (GSCPA) and Feeding Georgia’s Annual Accounting Food Fight. This two-week campaign encourages employees to donate much-needed funds in support of local food banks and pantries across our footprint.
This year marks our largest turnout yet as we surpassed our $30,000 goal, raising $31,257.77 to provide over 115,000 meals to families in need. Aprio donated an additional $5,000 to the Atlanta Community Food Bank, and Client Accounting Services Practice Leader and Partner Nicole Mitchell contributed her $1,000 industry recognition award from the Celebration of Women in Accounting to the Food Bank of Maryland. What’s more, a client in the northeast joined the effort with a $10,000 donation to the Community Food Bank of New Jersey, significantly expanding our campaign’s reach and impact.
Aprio Accounting Food Fight By the Numbers
Earth Day in May
Because April is a busy month for financial services, Aprio supports environmental community partners across the globe during an entire week in May. Earth Day in May is our chance to roll up our sleeves, get our hands dirty, and make a noticeable difference in our communities by helping to clean up and beautify parks, gardens, farms, preserves, and nature centers.