W. Ashley Thiem Selected for ‘Top 10 Rising Stars’ Accounting Award

ATLANTA - Jan. 4, 2016 - PRLog -- The National Academy of Public Accounting Professionals (NAPAP) has selected W. Ashley Thiem, CPA, of Thiem & McCutcheon, CPAs, PA in Charleston as one of the 2015 "Top 10 Public Accounting Professional Rising Stars" in South Carolina. The award is designed to recognize outstanding public accounting professionals who have been practicing for less than fifteen years.

"We are very pleased to recognize Mr. Thiem, whose expertise, leadership and impressive achievements in the field of public accounting while practicing for less than fifteen years have earned him this significant honor," says Paul Witte, Executive Director of NAPAP. A primary charter of the National Academy of Public Accounting Professionals is to recognize and distinguish the top public accounting professionals in each state.

The accountants who make the NAPAP "TOP 10 Rising Stars" list demonstrate an extensive amount of knowledge, skill, experience and success in the field of accounting, while practicing for less than 15 years. To achieve this award, the accountants must first be nominated by industry peers or satisfied clients. The nominees are reviewed by the NAPAP research committee, which evaluates each nominee's credentials against the award criteria, and compiles a list of finalists from which the NAPAP Board of Governors selects the Top 10 Rising Stars. Selection criteria include education, years of experience, areas of expertise, certifications, publications, awards, leadership, and client satisfaction.

W. Ashley Thiem, CPA/PFS, is an Investment Advisor Representative with Paraklete® Financial, Inc (Paraklete).  Paraklete® provides integrated fee-for-service financial planning.  The firm's focus is on independence and objectivity. Paraklete® Financial, Inc. acts as An Advocate in Financial Services® for its clients and therefore, does not manage assets or sell products.

Thiem is also the Co-President of Thiem & McCutcheon. He has been certified as a public accountant since 2006 and has worked in the accounting industry since 2003. Thiem earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting degree from the University of Georgia, and a Master of Business Administration from Charleston Southern University.

Thiem belongs to several professional associations, including the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and the South Carolina Association of Certified Public Accountants (SCACPA). He served as the Chair of the SCACPA Young CPAs Leadership Cabinet for several years, and also served on the organization's Behavioral Standards Committee, Legislative and Advocacy Committee, Strategic Membership Task Force, and Political Action Committee. In 2011, Thiem won the South Carolina Young CPA Award and in 2012 he was elected to the SCACPA Board of Directors.

Except for his time in college, Thiem has resided in Charleston all of his life and has been active in the community. He is currently a Trustee for the St. Michael’s Foundation, serves on the board for the Charleston Chapter of Smiles for a Lifetime, and is on the Young Alumni Board of UGA’s Terry College of Business. He also served on the St. Michael’s Church Finance Commission and was the Missions Coordinator for The Gate at St. Michael’s Church.