Stewart H. Carlin

A native of Florida, Stewart wanted a change of scenery for his college experience. Driven by his desire for a great education and basketball he headed north to Atlanta to attend Georgia Tech, where he graduated in 1975 with a bachelor’s degree in industrial management/industrial engineering. Accounting was a subject that came easily to Stewart while in college, and combined with the encouragement of his neighbor, Bob May, a CPA, he steered his career path to accounting. Stewart earned his CPA license in 1983 in Florida. Stewart’s father was also a big influence on his career. “He emphasized hard work and doing the job right the first time,” says Stewart 

 

    Although he enjoyed living in Atlanta, he headed back home to Daytona Beach, Florida to begin his career. His first job was with the City of Port Orange, Florida, just outside of Daytona Beach, as the director of finance. During his three years it was the fastest growing city in the state of Florida, and won numerous financial reporting awards. His career guided him from the city to a public accounting firm in Daytona Beach where he oversaw a variety of clients. In 1982, Stewart set his sights on industry work and accepted a position with Camelot Distribution Company, a manufacturing and retail company. While working for Camelot he was transferred to Georgia where he worked until 1991 when he founded his current company, Accounting Consultants of Cobb, located in Marietta. 

    During this time, Stewart decided that involvement in professional organizations would further enhance his knowledge and experience. He joined the Georgia Society of CPAs in 1986. “I found the GSCPA an outstanding breeding ground for developing leadership skills,” says Stewart. “The various committees, sections and task forces allow an individual to grow into leadership positions if he or she desires.”

     Stewart’s road to the presidency began in 2000 when he became the chair of the Strategic Planning Committee. Over the course of the past decade he has chaired the Budget Committee, Annual Convention Task Force, Leadership Academy Task Force, Value and Proposition Task Force, Investment Committee and the Governance Task Force. In addition to committee and task force leadership he has been on the Board of Directors as director, treasurer and president-elect.

     Outside of the GSCPA Stewart is involved with a variety of nonprofit and civic organizations. He is a member of the Marietta Metro Rotary Club, where he served as president from 1995-1996 and as an assistant district governor from 2000-2003. Since then he has worked in various roles of the Rotary hierarchy. As a member of Mt. Zion United Methodist Church in Marietta, Stewart has assisted the church as finance chair and lay leader. He is a member of the Cobb Chamber of Commerce and has served on its board of directors. The Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Sports Advisory Council also benefits from Stewart’s dedication. He helps establish programs to increase sports involvement, which aids in patient recovery.

     As his presidential term begins, Stewart’s area of focus this year is on the individual member and what the GSCPA has to offer beyond CPE. Initiatives and efforts are centered on the GSCPA strategic plan. His areas of focus are:
1. Communications - a chapter and Council page will be created on the web site, as well as a corresponding listserve, to better communicate Society news and events with the membership. 
2. Reviewing the governance structure - information from the Governance Task Force will be posted on the GSCPA web site and allow the membership to make comments before the information is brought to the Council in November.
3. Continuing education - education staff will be reviewing courses, making recommendations as to whether a course should be held based on attendance and looking for innovative programs and unique ways to deliver CPE programs. 
     
    Stewart’s advice for individuals new to the profession is to be yourself. “I am more extroverted and look at things in a more conceptual way than some of my colleagues,” he says. “A variety of personalities and management styles help the firm become well rounded since various views and opinions are needed to attack different strategies and tactics.” 

     Stewart lives in Canton with his wife, Martha. They have two daughters, Melissa, 28, who is director of franchise operations at J. Christopher restaurant chain and Kristyn, 24, who works in the logistics area at Coca Cola Enterprises. 

    Strategic planning, strategic leadership and a melting pot of ideas will strengthen and enhance the membership as Stewart leads the Society into 2009.