FFVA trade associate member update
Averett Warmus Durkee Osburn Henning – certified
public accountants and business advisors – serving agriculture for
half a century
Huge accounting firms have their place. But Jim Warmus knew in 1989 that
they weren’t his kind of place. He and several colleagues had been
working for a Central Florida CPA firm when it was purchased by a
national firm. They opted out and formed their own company, Averett
Warmus Durkee. Agricultural interests, an important part of their client
base, came with them. Additional agricultural clients came to the
company when it merged another firm into its practice in July 2010 and
became Averett Warmus Durkee Osburn Henning.
“We have been serving agricultural clients since the 1960s. Our
biggest ag client came on board with us in 1979,” Warmus said.
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From left, AWDOH's Jim Warmus, Chuck McKeeby and Ed Cranford.
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AWDOH provides a full palette of services for agribusinesses. Another
one of the company’s principals, Chuck McKeeby, names tax planning
as the number one service they provide for ag clients. “And we
help them make the transition when they move on to different things like
selling their land or developing the land themselves.” McKeeby
says they also assist with succession planning, estate taxes and tax
compliance.
The company is there for its clients in tough times. Hurricanes and
other events such as floods and crop diseases provide opportunities for
the firm to make life a little easier for their ag clients. “We
worked with a client from Fort Pierce during the hurricanes to make sure
they received insurance proceeds they were due,” said manager Ed
Cranford. “We also helped them out with financial issues related
to citrus canker and the sale of some of their groves.”
Other services the firm provides for its ag clients include audits,
reviews and compilations; management advisory services, including
obtaining financing; and business valuation, sales, mergers and
acquisitions.
AWDOH also serves other industries, including airlines, real estate,
automotive dealerships, manufacturing and timeshare industries. The
cornerstone of their business is the personal service they provide
– all the way up to the partners.
“For our citrus and cattle farming clients, we go see them and
ride the groves and look at cattle to get a first-hand look at what they
need,” said Warmus. “We find agriculture very interesting.
The farmers take the time to tell you about themselves and their groves
and the family history of the business. One client told us all about how
a grapefruit is formed and grows. We enjoy the people.”
AWDOH has received awards such as Florida Trend’s Best Florida
Companies to Work For in 2010 and experiences very low turnover, which
helps to build strong relationships with clients. It employs
approximately 100 and is one of the region’s largest CPA
firms.
For more information, go to the company’s website.
You’ll find a complete list of services provided, news and other
important information. Or call (407) 849-1569 to set up an appointment
and to learn more.