Forbes Names Six Aprio Leaders to 2025 America’s Best-In-State CPAs List
May 1, 2025
Recognition highlights Aprio’s commitment to innovation, thought leadership, and service in the profession
ATLANTA – May 1, 2025 – Aprio, the 24th largest business advisory and accounting firm in the U.S., proudly announces that six of its leaders have been named to Forbes’ 2025 America’s Best-In-State CPAs list. Recognized for their innovation, thought leadership, experience, and service to the community and to their profession, the honorees include Richard Kopelman, CEO, Lexy Kessler, partner and Chair-Elect of the American Institute of CPAs and the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants, Yelena Epova, International Practice Leader, Atlanta Officer Leader, and Tax Partner, Mark Kashgegian, Restaurant, Hospitality, and Franchise Partner, Mark Mirsky, Manufacturing and Distribution Tax Partner, and Carl Mayes, Managing Director, Professional Practice Group.
As the accounting profession evolves, the demand for trusted, high-performing advisors has reached new heights, driven by growth opportunities and innovation. Forbes developed the second annual list by assessing nominees across weighted criteria, including experience, thought leadership, community involvement, and innovation.
Aprio’s six honorees exemplify the evolving role of the CPA – offering clients strategic insights across tax, audit, business consulting, and emerging areas such as AI, international growth, and regulatory strategy.
2025 Forbes Best in State CPAs include:
Georgia:
Richard Kopelman, CEO of Aprio, has led the firm’s transformation into a nationally recognized business advisory and accounting powerhouse. Under his leadership, Aprio has grown to more than 2,100 professionals across 33 global locations and completed 35 strategic mergers and acquisitions. Richard’s people-first approach has led to Aprio to be a fastest-growing firm, while his commitment to talent development and innovation continues to shape the firm and the future of the profession.
Yelena Epova, International Practice Leader, Atlanta Officer Leader, and Tax Partner, is the founder and leader of Aprio’s International Practice, a team of 350+ professionals serving clients in over 50 countries and speaking over 60 languages. She is also the co-founder of Aprio’s Black Business Forum. Her vision has been central to Aprio’s rise in solutions with deep cross-border capabilities. Yelena brings an unmatched global perspective to advising clients on complex international tax matters. Yelena also serves as a mentor to emerging leaders and is recognized for her commitment to developing talent across the profession.
Illinois:
Mark Mirsky, Manufacturing and Distribution Tax Partner, helps businesses navigate complex tax planning, international structuring, and growth strategies. His experience spans manufacturing and distribution, and technology sectors. Mark’s background includes roles at a Big Four firm, corporate in-house, and middle-market consulting, enabling him to offer tailored solutions for businesses at every stage of growth. His focus on multi-state taxation, acquisition structuring, and business consulting helps companies optimize their strategies in a dynamic global market.
Maryland:
Lexy Kessler, Partner and Chair-Elect of the American Institute of CPAs and the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants, is a trusted advisor to business leaders across the Mid-Atlantic region. Lexy blends experience in assurance, tax, and consulting to help clients navigate shifting markets and unlock growth. A former leader of Aprio’s Government Contracting segment, she is recognized for her commitment to mentoring the next generation of CPAs and driving forward-thinking strategies to modernize the profession.
Massachusetts:
Mark Kashgegian, Restaurant, Hospitality, and Franchise Partner, has more than 40 years of experience advising restaurant and franchise business owners on tax strategy, succession planning, and long-term growth. A passionate advocate for people development, Mark has spent his career mentoring future leaders and co-founding leadership academies focused on both technical and soft skills.
North Carolina:
Carl Mayes, Managing Director, Professional Practice Group, leads the Assurance division with responsibility for audit quality, engagement quality reviews (EQRs), and quality control (QC) processes. He developed and implemented Aprio’s audit quality improvement strategy, embedding a culture of continuous improvement across the firm. Carl’s leadership has advanced the firm’s assurance methodology in key areas such as analytics, sampling, internal controls, and risk assessment. He also oversees Aprio’s assurance consultation function, providing guidance on complex audit matters.
To learn more about Aprio and its leaders, visit aprio.com.
About Aprio
Aprio is the brand name under which Aprio, LLP, and Aprio Advisory Group, LLC, deliver professional services. Since 1952, clients throughout the U.S. and across more than 50 countries have trusted Aprio for guidance on how to achieve what’s next. As a premier business advisory and accounting firm, Aprio Advisory Group, LLC, delivers advisory, tax, managed, and private client services to build value, drive growth, manage risk, and protect wealth, and Aprio, LLP, provides audit and attest services. With proven experience and genuine care, Aprio serves individuals, entrepreneurs, and businesses, from promising startups to market leaders alike. Aprio has grown to 2,000+ team members providing solutions to clients in industries including Manufacturing and Distribution, Non-Profit and Education, Professional Services, Real Estate, Construction, Restaurant, Franchise & Hospitality, Government Contracting, and Technology. Aprio.com
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Aprio Media Contact
Leslie Bashuk, Senior Public Relations Specialist