PBMares, LLP one of the region’s leading accounting and consulting firms, has elected two new partners. Benjamin “Bo” Garner, CPA, MBA, in the firm’s Newport News, VA office and Edward T. Yoder, CPA, MSA, in the firm’s Harrisonburg, VA office have become partners effective January 1, 2019.

“Both Bo and Ed have exemplified leadership throughout the firm for many years,” said Alan Witt, CPA, CEO of PBMares.  “In addition to their commitment to strengthening our practice, they are both committed to strengthening our profession.  Their efforts to mentor aspiring young professionals is an example for others to follow.”

Benjamin “Bo” Garner has over 11 years of public accounting experience and is the youngest to be named partner at PBMares.  He started as an intern in 2007 and now leads the firm’s Not-for-Profit Team and chairs the firm’s Innovation Council.  In addition to serving clients, Garner shares thought leadership as a guest columnist for GuideStar, Virginia Business and the Virginia Society of Certified Public Accountants’ (VSCPA) Disclosures.  An active member of the VSCPA, he serves as the Vice Chair on the Accounting & Auditing Advisory Committee, the Young Professionals Advisory Council and is a Firm Ambassador.  Garner is also active with the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA).  As an advocate for the profession, he mentors college students on careers in public accounting and their transition into the workforce.  Garner was named Top 40 Under 40 by both CPA Practice Advisor and Inside Business in 2017 and was one of VSCPA’s Top 5 Under 35 in 2016.  He is an active member of the North Suffolk Rotary Club, serves on Ebenezer United Methodist Church’s finance committee and is the treasurer of the Suffolk Ducks Unlimited Chapter.  He earned his Bachelor of Arts in accounting and business/economics from Randolph-Macon College.  Garner earned his Master in Business Administration from the College of William & Mary.

Edward T. Yoder joined PBMares in 2005 and has 20 years of public accounting experience.  He serves a variety of closely-held businesses, not-for-profit entities and consolidated corporate entities with multi-state filings.  Yoder has delivered a variety of seminars and published articles for the firm. Most recently, he presented on the Tax Cut & Jobs Act covering the complexities of the new law and its implications to both individuals and businesses.  He is a member of the AICPA and the VSCPA.  He serves in leadership positions with civic and charitable organizations in the Harrisonburg area including serving as the treasurer for Rockingham County Rotary Club and Park View Mennonite Church.  Yoder graduated with a Bachelor of Science in accounting from Goshen College in Goshen, Indiana.  He received a Master of Accountancy, with a concentration in taxation, from the University of South Florida in Tampa, Florida.