ATLANTA – April 17, 2026 – Aprio, the 20th largest business advisory and accounting firm in the U.S., today announces 23 of its certified public accountants (CPAs) have been named to Forbes’ 2026 Best-In-State CPAs list. Spanning practice areas from tax strategy and audit to international advisory and real estate, these honorees represent the breadth and depth of knowledge that defines Aprio, and the exceptional service its clients count on every day.
The Forbes Best-In-State CPAs list, developed in partnership with SHOOK Research, identifies the country’s top accounting professionals through a rigorous evaluation of industry experience, peer reputation, compliance records, client outcomes, and professional leadership. Being named to this list is a signal to clients, colleagues, and the broader business community that these professionals are among the best in their field.
With honorees spanning multiple states and practice areas, this year’s list reflects Aprio’s continued investment in attracting and developing top-tier talent. From navigating complex cross-border tax issues to guiding businesses through high-stakes transactions, these professionals bring deep technical mastery and the strategic insight and trusted relationships that drive tailored solutions for clients, wherever they are.
Aprio honorees by state certification:
Georgia
Alan Vaughn, Tax Partner | Real Estate
Dasha Walker, Audit Partner| Commercial Real Estate
Richard Kopelman, CEO of Aprio
Yelena Epova, Leader of Aprio’s International Business Services Group, UK Practice & Atlanta Office | Tax Partner
Illinois
Jason Lipschultz, Midwest Technology Industry Leader | Risk Advisory and Assurance Services Partner
Mark Mirsky, Midwest Regional Tax Leader | Manufacturing and Distribution | Technology | Tax Partner
Robert Eisenstadt, Audit Partner
Maryland
Lexy Kessler, Chairman of the American Institute of CPAs and the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants and Partner in Aprio’s Assurance Services Practice
Kayla Kania, Mid-Atlantic Leader | Audit Partner
Massachusetts
Mark Kashgegian, Restaurant, Franchise, and Hospitality Partner
Missouri
Jeff Ward, Risk Advisory and Assurance Services Partner
New Jersey
Fred Davis, Tax Partner | Nonprofit
New York
Brian DeSimone, Northeast Assurance Leader | Audit Partner
North Carolina
Julie Ayers, South Atlantic Regional Tax Leader | Construction | Tax Partner
Monica Cox, Tax Director
Oregon
Earl Pierce, Tax Partner
Leah DiGregorio, Tax Partner | Private Client
Texas
Melanie Geist, San Antonio and Austin Office Leader and Outsourcing Partner
Tennessee
Ryan Myers, Nashville Office Leader | Audit Partner
Virginia
Brian Bender, Aerospace, Defense & Government Advisory Partner
Elisa Martirez Obillo, Director of Assurance Services
Washington, District of Columbia
Kathy O’Connor, Nonprofit Consulting Leader and Partner
William Donahue, Audit Partner
To learn more, visit www.aprio.com.
About Aprio
Aprio is redefining what it means to be a global advisory and accounting firm. We help businesses and individuals Account for Anything™ — delivering clarity and confidence in a world full of unknowns. Aprio is the brand name under which Aprio, LLP, and Aprio Advisory Group, LLC deliver professional services to clients worldwide. Aprio Advisory Group, LLC provides advisory, tax, legal, wealth, and talent solutions to help build value, drive growth, manage risk, and protect wealth, while Aprio, LLP delivers audit and attest services with uncompromising quality and integrity. With more than 3,000 team members serving clients in 50+ countries and $5.5B in assets under management, Aprio, the 20th largest business advisory and accounting firm in the U.S., is consistently recognized as a Top Workplace, celebrated for transformative growth on the Inc. 5000 and Inc. Power Partners lists, and led by Richard Kopelman, named to Accounting Today’s Top 100 Most Influential People in Accounting. Learn more at Aprio.com.
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Aprio Media Contact
Leslie Weiner, Public Relations Manager
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