Thomas D. Pietras, CPA

A former shareholder in our Firm, Tom joined us in 1992 (after thirteen years with Ernst & Young).  Today, he continues to serve clients of the Firm on a part-time basis and serves Firm personnel as an advisor for matters relating to accounting, auditing, and professional ethics issues.

Tom has served as audit engagement partner or as technical review partner for clients in a broad range of industries, including telecommunications, technology, insurance, manufacturing, dealerships and distribution, construction, and healthcare.

Tom is fluent in German and assists the Firm in serving clients based in Germany, Switzerland, England, Northern Ireland, France, Sweden, Italy, Austria and Slovenia.

Tom is a mentor to start-up companies through his associations with GrowCo, the USC/Columbia Incubator, VentureSouth, and the Growth Summit.

Tom was an adjunct professor at the University of South Carolina from 1996 through 2011, where he taught a graduate level accounting course for masters of accountancy students. Tom also teaches accounting and auditing seminars to CPA’s around the country. Speaking/teaching engagements have included:

Location                     Topic

Greenville, SC            Accounting for Income Taxes

Gainesville, FL           Advanced Compilations and Reviews

Nashville, TN             Auditing Employee Benefit Plans

Seattle, WA                Consulting to Healthcare Practices

Columbia, SC             Current Accounting Developments

Columbia SC              Employee Benefit Plan Reporting Requirements

Columbia, SC             Mergers and Acquisitions

Greenville, SC            Performing the Perfect Audit

Various                       Professional Ethics

Amelia Island, FL       Audit and Accounting Update

While working with Ernst & Young, Tom provided audit and consulting services to some of the firm's largest national and international clients based in South Carolina and served as a national seminar instructor, teaching Ernst & Young's audit methodology to other firm professionals. Tom also served on quality review teams that performed audit quality reviews of other E&Y offices.

Education:

Graduated from the University of South Carolina in May, 1979 with a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting.

Organizations:

  • Member of the South Carolina Association of Certified Public Accountants (named one of the 100 Influential People in Accounting)
  • Past member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
  • Member of the inaugural class of the Palmetto Venture Fellowship (a Program of Venture Carolina, VentureSouth, and the South Carolina Department of Commerce)
  • Past Member, Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce (Finance Committee)
  • Past Member, Spring Valley Education Foundation (Treasurer)
  • Past Member, South Carolina Small Employer Insurer Reinsurance Program (Board Member)
  • Past Member, Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce (Board Member)
  • Past Member, American Red Cross Blood Services (Board Member, Chairman of Finance Committee)
  • Past Member, Northeast Columbia Soccer Association (President, Treasurer)
  • Past Member, Keep America Beautiful of the Midlands (Board Chairman, Treasurer)
  • Past Member, Columbia City Ballet (Treasurer)
  • Past Member, South Carolina Youth Soccer Association (Treasurer)
  • Past Member, Committee of 100 (Board Member, Treasurer)
  • Past Member, EngenuitySC (Advisory Board Member)
  • Past Member, Navigating from Good to Great Foundation (Board Member, Treasurer)
  • Past Member, Columbia Advisory Board—German American Chamber of Commerce
  • Member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
  • Member of the South Carolina Association of Certified Public Accountants (named one of the 100 Influential People in Accounting)
  • Member of the inaugural class of the Palmetto Venture Fellowship (a Program of Venture Carolina, VentureSouth, and the South Carolina Department of Commerce)
  • Past Member, Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce (Finance Committee)
  • Past Member, Spring Valley Education Foundation (Treasurer)
  • Past Member, South Carolina Small Employer Insurer Reinsurance Program (Board Member)
  • Past Member, Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce (Board Member)
  • Past Member, American Red Cross Blood Services (Board Member, Chairman of Finance Committee)
  • Past Member, Northeast Columbia Soccer Association (President, Treasurer)
  • Past Member, Keep America Beautiful of the Midlands (Board Chairman, Treasurer)
  • Past Member, Columbia City Ballet (Treasurer)
  • Past Member, South Carolina Youth Soccer Association (Treasurer)
  • Past Member, Committee of 100 (Board Member, Treasurer)
  • Past Member, EngenuitySC (Advisory Board Member)
  • Past Member, Navigating from Good to Great Foundation (Board Member, Treasurer)
  • Past Member, Columbia Advisory Board—German American Chamber of Commerce