Human Resources

Article Dean Dorton

Recent news impacting the world of HR and employers

EEO

A federal judge has reinstated the revised EEO-1 pay-data reporting provisions, which were suspended in 2017. The controversial provisions required covered employers to report pay information by race, ethnicity and sex. At this time, the mandate’s effect date is not clear. This year’s filing deadline is quickly approaching. So, employers need to be aware that the ruling could take immediate effect and require them to report data on W-2 wages and hours worked for all employees who were part of the workforce in 2018. The reinstatement may be appealed so nothing is guaranteed. Employers may want to consider reviewing internal reporting systems to ensure they can produce the pay data they may be required to provide. But, we do not recommend employers begin collecting data until there is clarification on the court’s order and next steps.
Read more from SHRM…

Overtime Exemption Salary Threshold

The Department of Labor has proposed an increase in the salary-level threshold for white-collar exemptions to $35,308 per year from $23,660. This could result in the need for employers to review FLSA guidelines, potential reclassification and increased pay. We are not recommending employers take action at this time. This proposal is the first step in a lengthy process. But, employers need to be aware that this action is once again being considered.

Article Dean Dorton

Business growth throughout Kentucky is critical to the continued expansion of Kentucky’s economy and vital to job creation throughout the Commonwealth. In conjunction with The Lane Report, Dean Dorton is proud to recognize the distinct and esteemed companies that are impacting Kentucky’s economic development through Best Bets 2018! The Best Bets list is based on several factors including the revenue figures for the last three years, employee investment, re-investment in the company, and other achievements. Bim Group is honored to be the supporting sponsor of this unique new initiative.

“Dean Dorton has had the honor and privilege of working with a variety of Kentucky-based companies for several decades now. We get to see firsthand the significant impact these companies have each year on our state’s economy,” said David Bundy, President and CEO of Dean Dorton. “We wanted to create a way that we could recognize their efforts and results, so we have created the Best Bets list. We are proud to recognize the distinct and esteemed companies that are impacting Kentucky’s economic development through a new special report, Kentucky’s Proof, and the Best Bets list. This year we are excited to see some of the same companies on the list for a second year in a row, as well as some new names, indicative of the impact these companies are making on overall economic growth.”

Congratulations to this year’s Best Bets 2018 winners (in alphabetical order):

Company Headquarters Year Founded
ACE Consulting Company Nicholasville 2007
Bates Security Lexington 1984
Country Boy Brewing Georgetown 2012
ID+A, Inc. Louisville 1981
 Investors Heritage Life Insurance Company Frankfort 1960
Maverick Insurance Group Louisville 2013
PHOENIX Process Equipment Company Louisville 1987
SkuVault Louisville 2011

Kentucky’s Proof will hit business mailboxes in April, highlighting each of the companies listed above and featuring meaningful insights into what these companies are doing to succeed year after year.

More than 30 companies applied for this year’s Best Bets list and eight were chosen as 2018’s Best Bets. This year, the size of the companies ranged from one to more than 300 employees and revenues ranged from $1 million to $140 million. To learn more, visit kybestbets.com.

Article Dean Dorton

Dean Dorton’s inaugural IGNITE Leadership Conference, held on July 19-20, 2018, encompassed a slew of interactive activities for 25 college students who joined together in Lexington, Kentucky for two packed days of hands-on accounting education.

DAY ONE

The conference kicked off with an opening by Mike Shepherd, Director of Tax Services, followed by a series of introductory games and a tour of our Lexington office.

Ryan Walker, Associate Director of Assurance Services, introduced to the students the various services the firm’s assurance team provides. He then led an audit case study, in which the students performed a mock inventory observation for a fictitious client. In this hands-on exercise, students conducted a real-world activity—one that they will likely provide to clients in the future.

Immediately after the audit case study, four of our team members—Katie Escudero and Joey George, both Specialists in Tax Services, and Payton Miller and Nick Reynolds, both Supervisors in Assurance Services—participated with the students in a Q&A roundtable. Discussion topics ranged from transitioning to a full-time career after college, to the demands of a career in public accounting. Dean Dorton was a discussion topic as well, as students wanted to learn what has made the firm a Best Place to Work in Kentucky for 14 consecutive years—one of only three companies  to have made the list each year of the program’s existence.

Mike Shepherd kicked off the afternoon with a tax case study, sharing with students the tax services we provide to clients, from compliance to strategic consulting. The tax case study wrapped up with an exclusive tour of City Center, a two-acre mixed use development under construction in the heart of downtown Lexington. Hard hats on and eager to learn about City Center, the IGNITE participants toured multiple floors of the development’s office space and hotel space, and walked through the completed 700-vehicle underground parking garage (the first and only underground parking garage in Lexington).

Day one ended with a fun outing at the Lexington Legends minor league baseball game, which happened to fall on the stadium’s 80s Night. The IGNITE participants and Dean Dorton team members dressed in festive 80s garb, cheering on the Legends as they scored a victory against the West Virginia Power.

DAY TWO

David Bundy, President and CEO, kicked off the second day with a welcome and overview of the firm. IGNITE participants then learned valuable CPA exam tips and tricks from two team members who recently studied for and passed the four-part exam: Madison Embry, Specialist in Assurance Services, and Nick Lawson, Specialist in Tax Services.

The students learned about Dean Dorton’s internship program and Accounting and Business Compliance Services (ABS) positions, which are reserved for new accounting graduates. In a hands-on activity led by Abby Kirk, Supervisor of Tax Services, and Estelle Withrow, Associate in ABS, students experienced the opportunities which starting an accounting career in our ABS program can bring.

The morning concluded with a multi-faceted consulting case study. In Part I of this case study, Jason Miller, Director of Business Consulting Services, illustrated the wide array of consulting services we provide to clients. Then, Nick Lynch, Associate Director of Business Consulting Services, discussed forensic accounting, providing examples of past fraud cases and the importance of the firm’s forensic accounting service.

The IGNITE participants enjoyed lunch with a few partners of the firm. In this one-on-one setting, the students had the unique opportunity to learn more about the partners and their careers in various firm services.

After lunch, Elizabeth Woodward, Director of Forensic Accounting and Litigation Support, and Nick Lawson, Specialist in Tax Services, led Part II of the consulting case study with a hands-on forensic accounting activity. The students conducted an inventory observation similar to that on day one, but this time, identified where fraudulent activity occurred with the fictitious client’s inventory. The case study simulated real-life interactions between clients and forensic accountants, highlighting some of the challenges faced while in the field.

IGNITE 2018 wrapped up with a Q&A session with David Bundy, covering topics such as the future of the accounting profession, the future of Dean Dorton, and the firm as a whole. As David’s session concluded, the students received personalized commemorative Louisville slugger bats as a parting gift.

Twenty-five students walked away from this inaugural leadership program with information about the firm, the ability to practice hands-on accounting tasks, and had some fun while meeting our team members. As IGNITE participants start their semester, we are encouraged by the future of the accounting profession after meeting and getting to know these current—and future—leaders.

Universities represented at IGNITE Scroll down for more photos!Learn more about IGNITEView More Photos

Article Dean Dorton

C.S. Lewis once said, “You are never too old to set another goal or dream a new dream.” With that thought in mind, with mixed emotions we announce that three of our directors are retiring on June 30. We appreciate them for their considerable contributions to our firm’s success!

Chris Anderson, Director of Business Consulting Services, has worked in public accounting for more than 40 years. Chris’ practice included focus primarily on consulting, litigation support, and tax controversy matters and tax issues related to litigation support, business valuation, and forensic accounting. Chris earned his Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration and Political Science degree from William Jewell College in 1975, followed by a Master of Science in Accounting from the University of Kentucky in 1979.

Once he retires, the first thing Chris will do is take a long vacation and spend more time with family. He will miss the people here at Dean Dorton, and plans to stay in touch with the friends he has made over the years.

Paula Hanson, Director of Tax Services, has more than 35 years of service with Dean Dorton after starting her career with Ernst & Young and working in private industry at Gray Construction for three years. Paula’s services to clients focused on tax planning and compliance. She also spent much of her time focusing on providing estate planning and financial and tax planning services for individuals and their businesses. Additionally, Paula worked with many financial institutions, providing fiduciary tax compliance and consulting services.

Paula’s name is recognizable among many for her leadership in both professional and community organizations, including serving as a council member and past board member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, as well as a past president of the Kentucky Society of Certified Public Accountants. In 2016, Paula was honored with the Martha Layne Collins Leadership Award from Women Leading Kentucky. Paula earned her Bachelor of Science in Accounting Degree from the University of Kentucky in 1980.

Paula most looks forward to more family time, travels, and golf. The first thing she’ll do when she retires is spend some quality time at her family cottage on Lake Huron in Ontario. After that, she has slated plenty of time for her two grandchildren.

What will Paula miss most about Dean Dorton? “I’ll miss all the wonderful people I have worked with over the years. They have been more than just colleagues; they have been dear friends. I also loved my involvement with recruiting to help have a hand in the folks that make up the firm. And last but not least, I have loved the clients I worked with over the years. For that I am truly grateful.”

Gwen Tilton, Director of Tax Services, has worked more than 35 years in public accounting, including time spent at a national accounting firm. Gwen played an integral leadership role in Cotton + Allen and chaired the tax department during her career. Gwen oversaw Cotton + Allen and Dean Dorton combining as one firm in 2011. Gwen has provided countless tax compliance and planning strategies to her clients in a variety of industries throughout the years. Aside from tax services, Gwen provided expert witness testimony for cases throughout Jefferson Circuit and Family Courts, Federal Bankruptcy Court, and regionally.

Gwen has been an active member of the Louisville community throughout her career as well. She is a past council member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, as well as past president and board member of the Kentucky Society of Certified Public Accountants. Locally Gwen is greatly involved with the Louisville Olmsted Parks Conservancy. Gwen graduated magna cum laude with her Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University of Kentucky in 1979.

Gwen most looks forward to traveling more in retirement. The first thing she’ll do when she retires is toss her business suits and shop for shorts and sundresses!

Article Dean Dorton

On Tuesday, the annual Best Places to Work in Kentucky awards ceremony was held at the Lexington Convention Center, where the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce and the Kentucky Society for Human Resource Management announced this year’s winners. Nearly 1,300 attendees joined in celebrating the 100 Kentucky companies who were recognized for their commitment to focus, measure, and move their workplace environments toward excellence.

For the 14th consecutive year, Dean Dorton was a part of this prestigious list.

Dean Dorton is one of only three companies to have made the list each year of the program’s existence, and we’re the only medium-sized company with this consecutive accolade. We’re also a member of the Best Places to Work Hall of Fame!

“We are proud to be one of only three companies to be recognized as a Best Place to Work in Kentucky for 14 consecutive years. Our team members are the cornerstone of our success and their passion for each other, our clients, and their communities plays a large role in the overall culture of the firm. We glean valuable information from the Best Places to Work in Kentucky survey each year and we strive to maintain a workplace that is both satisfying personally and professionally. It’s an honor to see the results of our efforts each year via the Best Places to Work in Kentucky list.”

David Bundy, President and CEO

The selection process, managed by Best Companies Group, is based on an assessment of the company’s employee policies and procedures and the results of an internal employee survey.

More about Best Places to Work in Kentucky and the full list of winners can be found at bestplacestoworkky.com.

Article Dean Dorton

Business growth throughout Kentucky is critical to the continued expansion of Kentucky’s economy and vital to job creation throughout the Commonwealth. In conjunction with The Lane Report, Dean Dorton is proud to recognize the distinct and esteemed companies that are impacting Kentucky’s economic development through Best Bets 2017! The Best Bets list is based on several factors including the revenue figures for the last three years, employee investment, re-investment in the company, and other achievements. BIM Group is honored to be the supporting sponsor of this unique new initiative.

“Dean Dorton has had the honor and privilege of working with a variety of Kentucky based companies for several decades now. We get to see firsthand the significant impact these companies have each year on our state’s economy,” said David Bundy, President and CEO of Dean Dorton. “We wanted to create a way that we could recognize their efforts and results, so we have created the Best Bets list. We are proud to recognize the distinct and esteemed companies that are impacting Kentucky’s economic development through a new special report, Kentucky’s Proof, and the Best Bets list.”

Congratulations to this year’s Best Bets 2017 winners (in alphabetical order):

Company Headquarters Year Founded
Accuserv Louisville 1998
Bates Security Lexington 1984
Buzick Construction Bardstown 1937
Car Keys Express Louisville 2002
 eCampus.com Lexington 1999
Kentucky Kingdom and Hurricane Bay Louisville 2003
Payment Alliance International Louisville 2005
Pitman Creek Wholesale Danville 1993
SkuVault Louisville 2011
TiER1 Performance Solutions  Covington 2002
US WorldMeds Louisville 2001

Kentucky’s Proof will hit business mailboxes in April, highlighting each of the companies listed above and featuring meaningful insights into what these companies are doing to succeed year after year.

More than 50 companies applied for the inaugural list and 11 were chosen as 2017’s Best Bets. The size of the companies ranged from 1 to more than 1,400 employees and revenues ranged from $1 million to $1 billion. To learn more, visit kybestbets.com.