David M. Ward, CPA

Leadership

David joined BPS in 2006, his first job out of college. Rising through the ranks, he became a partner in 2021 and is also the director of BPS’ audit and assurance practice, which provides audit and attestation services to clients across a broad spectrum of industries on a national and state level.

BPS has a “people first” philosophy, which has allowed us to grow and develop our people into both talented professionals and future leaders of the firm. Having started at BPS right out of college when we had roughly 40 people, it’s been amazing to see us more than double in size since I joined. This is a testament to the great leadership of the firm and our philosophy of putting our people first.

Additionally, David is the lead audit professional on BPS' property and casualty insurance team, which includes regional and national commercial carriers, mutual insurers, captive insurance, reciprocals, and risk retention groups domiciled throughout the United States.

BPS is recognized among the top accounting and tax advisors to the captive industry by Captive Review. Captive insurance companies are among David’s specialties, and he consults on a national basis with clients considering establishing captive insurance companies on the issues of feasibility, formation, operations, and governance. He is a member of and actively involved in captive insurance associations in South Carolina, North Carolina and Vermont, and chairs the education committee for the South Carolina Captive Insurance Association and coordinates its Captive Academy.

Over the past few decades, captive insurance has become an essential risk financing and risk management tool for organizations spanning a wide variety of industries. Captives have provided these organizations with the ability to serve the insurance needs of owners and escape the uncertainties of commercial insurance availability and cost. Our significant expertise in captives and our focus on client service have made BPS one of the leading providers of audit, accounting, and tax services to captive insurance companies across all major U.S. domiciles.

David’s clientele also includes energy infrastructure, construction and distribution companies, as well as associations, nonprofit and employee benefit plans. As a BPS trusted advisor, he has served some of his clients for well over a decade, providing deep insight and guidance to clients on internal controls, best practices, and complex accounting matters. This includes the impact various transactions will have on clients’ financial statements and related disclosures.

Additionally, David has experience providing audit, attestation, and consulting services to clients in the construction and distribution industries as well as associations, non-profits and employee benefit plans.

When not at BPS or with clients, David enjoys vacationing with his wife and their daughter and spending time outdoors, whether it be at the beach, on the lake, in the mountains, or just sitting around the backyard fire pit.

Education:

  • Master of Accountancy, University of South Carolina
  • B.S., Accounting, University of South Carolina

Areas of Expertise:

  • Agreed-Upon Procedures
  • Audit/Assurance
  • Business Advisory

Industry Expertise:

  • Captive Insurance
  • Construction
  • Distribution
  • Associations and Other Not-For-Profits
  • Employee Benefit Plans

Professional Involvement:

  • American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
  • South Carolina Association of Certified Public Accountants
  • South Carolina Captive Insurance Association (Education Committee and Captive Academy Coordinator)
  • Vermont Captive Insurance Association
  • North Carolina Captive Insurance Association
  • The Friendly Society Restored