Career moves

John Karaffa had the right stats to found ProSport CPA five years ago, an accounting firm that serves professional athletes, as both an athlete and one that played abroad, like many of his clients.

Witt Mares PLC and PBGH LLP have agreed to merge. The deal is expected to take effect on Jan. 1, 2013.

Charles “Sandy” Kennedy Jr. joins G.T. Reilly & Co. as vice president and director of tax services.

Cloud and on-premises enterprise resource planning and customer relationship management software provider Acumatica has expanded its U.S. presence by opening new office headquarters in Kirkland, Wash. effective today.

James Peko has been promoted to national managing principal of Grant Thornton LLP’s Corporate Advisory & Restructuring Services practice.

Top 100 Firm Mauldin & Jenkins promotes two managers to partner in its Florida and Georgia locations.

Andrew Cohen, a member of WeiserMazars LLP’s executive committee and partner-in-charge of the Long Island practice, has been elected vice-chair of the AICPA Joint Trial Board for 2013/2014.

CALIFORNIA

Brad Benton has been chosen to lead the health care practice of Dixon Hughes Goodman LLP.

Missouri Society of Certified Public Accountants and the AICPA presented Linda West, senior manager at Stone Carlie & Company LLC, with the Women to Watch Emerging Leaders Award.

Online accounting community iShade said Tuesday it is adding two new directors as it prepares for the New Year.

HSMC Orizon LLC has brought Rand Hansen and his associates from G. Randall Hansen, CPA PC on board.

President Obama has named SEC commissioner Elisse B. Walter as the new chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission, succeeding Mary Schapiro.

Mary L. Schapiro, who has led the Securities and Exchange Commission for four years, said Monday that she plans to step down from her post on Dec. 14, 2012.

Lattimore Black Morgan & Cain PC gave five staff members the role of partner.

New hires, promotions and more

Anita Sherman, managing partner at Greenwalt CPAs, was presented with The Distinguished Service Award during the Indiana CPA Society CPA celebration held on Nov. 16.

Darin James is the newest partner in RubinBrown LLP's tax consulting group.

The International Federation of Accountants has elected Warren Allen of New Zealand as president for a two-year term and former American Institute of CPAs chair Olivia Kirtley as deputy president, succeeding Allen.

Deloitte Financial Advisory Services LLP named Lisa Dane as a director in its business intelligence services practice.