According to to CPA.com, since Pace was promoted to lead the firm’s CAS practice in 2017, revenue has risen from $3 million to $8.5 million annually.

“Along the way, he has built a culture that is flexible, consultative, and fully remote, encouraging time off and working hours that create a healthy work-life balance,” CPA.com said in a prepared statement.

Two runners up were named, Hannah Smolinski, president of Clara CFO Group, and Steve Chaney, founder and CEO of Chaney & Associates.

According to CPA.com, when the COVID-19 pandemic struck, Smolinski created more than 100 videos to provide education and guidance to small business owners who needed assistance from the Paycheck Protection Program and Economic Injury Disaster Loan (programs.

Chaney uses cloud-based solutions for GL, bill payment, spend management, payroll and more to close the books each week for clients. 

“By relying on automation and shifting pre-accounting work to clients, his 20-person team is able to serve more than 1,000 clients,” the statement said.