Leadership Team

The Association would like to recognize the efforts of our co-founders for their thought leadership and support in the formation of the Association and the then emerging position of Firm Administrator within CPA firms. Cliff Brownstein, Don Scholl and Gene Cohen were responsible for the organization and launching of the Association of Accounting Administrators, now the CPA Firm Management Association. These three had the vision which has led to successful practice management for CPA firms throughout North America since 1984. Each took their experience in CPA firm management and brought CPAFMA to fruition. Cliff was serving as a Firm Administrator and Don and Gene were consultants to the profession when they formed the national organization. Don and Gene became the first two Presidents of the newly formed association and Cliff took on the role of Executive Director, a role he served for ten years.

Don and Gene became the first two Presidents of the newly formed association and Cliff took on the role of Executive Director, a role he served for ten years. Sadly, Cliff Brownstein passed away in March of 2022 and Don Scholl passed away in March of 2024. They will forever be remembered as two of the original co-founders of our organization.