Those that enter the accounting profession do so for any number of reasons. For Shawn Middleton, serving in the military can be seen as a catalyst. After serving in the United States Air Force as a cryptologic linguist, Shawn wanted a career that would allow her to continue functioning as part of a team and had a certain level of “honor” in it. She also sought a career field that was more technically inclined. When you consider the characteristics of the career she was seeking – team environment, integrity, technical skill set – the accounting profession was the perfect fit.
Seventeen years later, Shawn still feels she made the right choice, joining PBMares in 2007. An experienced auditor, she uses her knowledge, passion and skills to provide assurance services to the firm’s non-profit, governmental, for-profit, real estate and hospitality clients. As for her desire to work as part of a team? She truly believes the whole is greater than the sum of its parts (in most situations) and loves working as part of a team to solve the issues her clients face.
Beyond her audit experience, Shawn leads the firm’s Enterprise Zone Program. In this role, she assists clients in the application process. This includes helping assess their eligibility and, if they meet the requirements, performing an agreed-upon procedures engagement where she walks applicants through the submission process. Further, she performs a similar function for clients interested in the Historic Tax Credit program.
Recognized early in her career as an emerging leader, Virginia Business magazine, in conjunction with the VSCPA, awarded her their Super CPA recognition in the Young CPAs category. In addition, she is an alumnus of LEAD Historic Triangle, now LEAD Greater Williamsburg, an intensive community immersion program that provides future leaders the opportunity to work together on issues of importance to the region. Shawn also serves on the board of NetworkPeninsula.
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS:
- American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
- Virginia Society of Certified Public Accountants (VSCPA)
- VSCPA Tidewater Chapter
- Virginia Economic Developers Association
- Risk Management Association – Hampton Roads Chapter
EDUCATION:
- Master of Science in Accounting from Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia
- Bachelor of Science from the University of Maryland Global Campus in College Park, Maryland
ARTICLES:
Not-for-Profit Accounting Update: Lease Accounting and Donated Assets (Contributed Nonfinancial Assets)
Many not-for-profits are in the first year of implementing the new lease accounting standard and may need guidance on where to start. Below-market leases or donated space also give rise to another new accounting update to consider.
Signs an Organization May Be Headed for a Potential Single Audit
Many organizations may not be aware they’re subject to a single audit. It can help to look at similar scenarios to determine compliance requirements when accepting funds greater than $750,000.
List of COVID-Related Grants Triggering Single Audits
Funding received from state or local governments may have originated in the Cares Act and may only be pass-through funding. Thus, the entity may be subject to a single audit requirement. Here is a list of CARES Act- and COVID-19-related programs that could trigger a single audit.
Is Your Not-for-Profit Organization’s COVID-19 Funding Triggering A Single Audit?
Part of the recovery funding for many not-for-profits has come from grants. While these funds have directly helped not-for-profits keep their doors open, many executives may not realize that some of these funds could trigger a single audit.
Tips for Improving Diversity on Nonprofit Boards
Not-for-profit leaders, take a look at the Board of Directors. Who is there? Is it a table (or a Zoom call) of different types of people, with varied backgrounds and different races and cultures?
News Update: Virginia Enterprise Zone Program (EZ) – New for 2019 and More Funding Available
The Virginia Enterprise Zone Program made a few changes for the 2019 grant year that may benefit Virginia companies IF they are located in an enterprise zone and installed solar panels in 2019.
Do Fundraising Materials and Pledge Forms Communicate the Same Message?
Nonprofit organizations use solicitation materials, fundraising events, marketing brochures, etc. to influence others to choose to donate to their organization versus a different one. Once a donor decides to make a promise to give or a pledge to a nonprofit organization, many times the form the donor sees may or may not mirror the information in the marketing materials that was used to influence their decision in the first place.
Boost Your Not-for-Profit’s Revenue While You Build Upon Your Future
Many people have heard the saying “location is everything.” While it may be debatable that location is everything, location is very important in the Commonwealth […]
How Not-for-Profits Can Make Pledge Forms More Transparent
Donations and contributions are the lifeblood for many not-for-profit organizations. Without the generosity of donors, these organizations would cease to exist. For this reason, keeping […]
10 Signs It May Be Time to Shop for a New Auditor
Thinking about hiring a new auditor can be overwhelming. Many times over the years I have heard auditees say, “I don’t want to get used […]