AAFCPAs is proud to honor the outstanding achievements of our 2024 employee award recipients. These awards celebrate individuals who embody the firm’s core values, including collaboration, innovation, leadership, and compassion. Through their actions, these team members inspire excellence and strengthen our culture of kindness and mutual respect.

Caryn Francese

Spreading Joy and Kindness

Caryn Francese is the proud recipient of AAFCPAs’ 2024 peer-nominated Michael Oliveira Kindness Award, presented in memory of a remarkable colleague who inspired others with his selfless care and positivity. This award honors those who embody Michael’s spirit of unconditional care and concern for others and selfless kindness.

Here’s what Caryn’s colleagues shared:

• She is one of the kindest and most helpful people in the firm, always taking time to support others and spread joy.
• A constant source of laughter, warmth, and encouragement for everyone she interacts with.
• She goes above and beyond, bringing smiles to colleagues with thoughtful gestures like surprise ice cream trips and small acts of encouragement.

Kimoy Phillpotts

Inspiring Leadership in Action

Kimoy Phillpotts is the 2024 recipient of the peer-nominated Emerging Leader Award, recognizing a team member who demonstrates leadership qualities in areas of client service, technical competency, communication, strategic thinking, recruitment, developing others, inclusion or innovation.

Here’s what Kimoy’s colleagues shared:

• She leads with professionalism, kindness, and strategic thinking, earning respect from clients and colleagues alike.
• She excels at tackling challenging projects, delegating effectively, and fostering strong team communication.
• Her leadership qualities are evident, even to those who have worked with her briefly, making her a trusted role model.

Stephanie Ash

Championing Growth and Learning

Stephanie Ash has been awarded the 2024 peer-nominated Growth Mindset Award, which celebrates team members who seek collaborators, embrace challenges, and proactively look for opportunities to learn, grow, and improve.

Here’s what Stephanie’s colleagues shared:

• She drives improvements and implements more efficient audit processes.
• A reliable and innovative resource, she challenges herself and inspires others to grow and learn.

Sarah Flischel

Driving Innovation with Heart

Sarah Flischel is the 2024 recipient of the peer-nominated Innovation Award, which honors a team member who has been proactive in identifying opportunities for efficiency and automation.

Here’s what Sarah’s colleagues shared:

• Her efforts in process improvement and software implementation have significantly strengthened the firm’s workflow and efficiency.
• She balances technology-driven innovation with a people-first approach, empowering team members and fostering connections in a remote work environment.

JoAnne Starks

Leading with Inclusion

JoAnne Starks is the proud recipient of the 2024 peer-nominated Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) Award. This award recognizes team members who exemplify DEIB through their actions, their education of others, and their commitment to creating an inclusive workplace culture.

Here’s what JoAnne’s colleagues shared:

• She leads the firm’s DEIB initiatives with passion, organization, and creativity, advancing inclusion through education and action.
• A trusted resource for meaningful conversations about DEIB, her contributions inspire the firm to reflect, grow, and embrace inclusivity.

Celebrating a Culture of Excellence

At AAFCPAs, we are committed to fostering a workplace where employees feel valued, empowered, and inspired to excel. These awards not only honor remarkable individual achievements but also reflect the spirit and values that define our firm.

Please join us in congratulating these exceptional team members. Their contributions make a lasting difference for our clients, colleagues, and communities.