Introducing Our Newest Partner - Danielle J. Kimmell
Growing up in a working-class family in Amherst, Ohio, Danielle Kimmell knew early on that she wanted to be an accountant. And not just an accountant – a partner in a premier CPA firm. What she didn’t know was whether she’d ever get the chance. As far back as Kimmell could remember, only two members of her family – an aunt and an uncle – had attended college.
“My mom had me take bookkeeping classes in high school in case I didn’t go to college,” said Kimmell. “My senior year, we were still figuring out how we were going to pay for it. I wanted to go, but college was a privilege and an opportunity to learn. Not a right.”
Encouraged by her mother, Jane Jacinto, Kimmell worked part-time jobs and took extra classes to earn college credit – while also participating in school activities – that eventually earned her the qualifications she needed for student loans and financial aid.
And those high school bookkeeping classes paid off. After declaring her accounting major immediately, she graduated from The University of Akron four years later with a Bachelor of Science in accounting.
“Whether in school or in my career, I’ve never questioned hard work. I just assumed that if I wanted something, I had to roll up my sleeves, figure it out, and get it done,” she said. “It’s how I was raised. Nothing was handed to me. In college, when other kids were going to Myrtle Beach at Spring Break, I was heading home to work at Burger King to earn extra money for when I went back to school.”
Now, several years later, that self-reliance, along with a strong sense of responsibility and desire to maintain control of her own destiny, has helped Kimmell quickly climb the ladder to be named the eighth partner, and second female partner, at Bober Markey Fedorovich. It’s an honor she received at the relatively young age of 34 – something she believes will help bring a new perspective to the firm’s partner group.
“We have several generations of employees here at BMF, each one with its own unique set of characteristics and qualities. I think I will be able to help bridge the gap,” she said. “Also, even though my leadership style is to empower people to think and do for themselves, I have always maintained an open door policy, and that won’t change. Staff can come to me with questions and concerns and I now feel even more comfortable approaching my partners, when necessary, to explain the staff’s perspectives and my approach to problem resolution.”
Kimmell joined BMF in 2005 as a senior manager after working for eight years at a local firm where she was hired upon graduation from college. She was drawn to BMF’s excellent reputation in the Akron community and region, focus on high-quality, core competency services, sophisticated clients, commitment to community, and what she called the “value-added proposition.”
With more than 13 years of experience, Kimmell focuses on serving large, middle-market, privately held companies in a variety of industries, including manufacturing and distribution. She also has significant experience in the area of employee benefit plans, as well as consulting on issues arising in middle-market business settings, including audit, compliance and tax issues.
With her promotion, she will be taking on agreater role with the Audit and Advisory department’s internal functions, especially in assimilating the ongoing influx of new guidance and information, as well as helping in the maintenance of overall quality control.
In addition, Kimmell will soon take the lead role on the firm’s technology initiatives, something she has been deeply involved with for the past few years. Her accomplishments to date include overseeing the implementation of BMF’s paperless engagement management system in 2007, a new web portal project in 2008 and a firm-wide Voice over IP system in 2009.
Kimmell is also an established community leader. Currently involved with several local organizations, she is chairperson for Project GRAD Akron, a recent Leadership Akron graduate, and a recipient of the 2007 Greater Akron Chamber’s “30 for the Future” award.
Just last year, she was named the United Way of Summit County’s Young Philanthropist of the Year.
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Contact information:
Danielle J. Kimmell, CPA
Partner
330.762.9785
Email