Author: KraftCPAs

HIPAA, HITECH, and HITRUST

Posted on by KraftCPAs

Any organization or business that handles health information or other sensitive data should be familiar with HIPAA, HITECH, and HITRUST requirements. Unfortunately, some entities and/or their employees view these “H-words” merely as suggestions or someone else’s responsibility. Others are confused by how these terms apply to them. If you’re already muttering, “What the H?” — this series is for you.

What the H? articles

What the H?

HIPAA, HITECH, and HITRUST: The Essentials of Healthcare Security Compliance

In Part 1, we explore the differences between these important acronyms, as well as how these concepts build upon each other to play a significant part in securing protected health information (PHI). Read the entire Nashville Medical News article – Part One.

How the H?

HIPAA, HITECH, and HITRUST: The Path to Compliance

“How do I get – and stay – compliant?” is the (potentially million-dollar) question facing any entity handling PHI. In this article, we outline the recommended path to compliance. Read the entire Nashville Medical News article – Part Two.

Why the H?

HIPAA, HITECH, and HITRUST: The importance of each for you and your consumers

Now that we know what these concepts mean and how to achieve compliance, we explore the reasons behind it all. Read the entire Nashville Medical News article – Part Three.

What the H? video

If you were unable to attend our What The H? HIPAA, HITECH, and HITRUST Seminar you can still watch the What the H? presentation video and the presentation slides.

KraftCPAs admits two new members

Posted on by KraftCPAs

KraftCPAs PLLC is pleased to announce that Sean Owens and David Lister became members (owners) in the firm, effective November 1.

Sean, who works in the assurance services practice area, has been with KraftCPAs since January 2003. He has extensive experience with manufacturing, wholesale and distribution clients. With more than 15 years of experience, Sean has also worked with a variety of other clients including broker-dealers, investment companies, not-for-profits and educational institutions.

In addition to being a certified public accountant, Sean is registered by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) as a qualified peer reviewer. In this capacity, he reviews other CPA firms’ quality control processes and procedures to verify compliance with professional standards.

A member of the AICPA and the Tennessee Society of Certified Public Accountants (TSCPA), Sean is past president of the TSCPA Nashville Chapter and a member of the peer review committee. He also serves the community as an executive committee member and audit committee chair of the Tennessee Kidney Foundation. He is a graduate of Leadership Wilson County.

David Lister, who works in the tax consulting and compliance practice, joined Kraft in 2006. He has more than 10 years of experience in taxation of corporations, pass-through entities and individuals. His experience includes serving clients in a variety of industries including construction, manufacturing/wholesale/distribution (MWD), financial institutions, franchisers and service providers. 

David also has significant experience assisting clients with mergers, acquisitions and dispositions. He has managed many complex federal and multi-state tax planning, research and compliance engagements, including nexus studies, tax examinations and client representations for individuals and large to midsize companies.

A member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Tennessee Society of Certified Public Accountants (TSCPA), David serves on the TSCPA state taxation committee, on the TSCPA Council and as treasurer of the TSCPA Nashville Chapter. He is also a member of the Kiwanis Club of Nashville.

“We are pleased to promote Sean and David to membership in the firm,” said Vic Alexander, chief manager of KraftCPAs. “Each of them has made significant contributions to our practice in their years with the firm, and it has been a pleasure to watch them advance in their careers. We are pleased to add them to the ranks of the next generation of Kraft owners.”

KraftCPAs, which was founded in 1958 by the late Joe Kraft, now has 16 members/owners and a total team of more than 190, including seven affiliated companies.

Alexander receives prestigious Business with Purpose award

Posted on by KraftCPAs

Congratulations to Vic Alexander, chief manager of KraftCPAs, who recently received the 2016 Business with Purpose Award in the “leader with purpose” category. The Business with Purpose awards are presented by the Hilton & Sallie Dean Institute for Corporate Governance & Integrity at Lipscomb University. The institute’s mission is to assist companies in creating cultures of high integrity and in employing best practices of good corporate governance.

Vic Alexander, who became chief manager of KraftCPAs in 1993, said, “I was humbled to receive this award from Lipscomb University and the Dean Institute. While I received the award in the leader category, I believe it reflects on the reputation for integrity, honesty and the core values that were the foundation of our firm’s success long before I became chief manager. I was fortunate to have strong role models in Joe Kraft and his partners, and I’m honored to accept the award on their behalf. With the help of the entire KraftCPAs team, I will continue to strive to deserve this recognition.”

Proceeds from the luncheon will be used to fund student scholarships at Lipscomb University, to support the Student Center for the Public Trust and to support the work of the Dean Institute.

KraftCPAs PLLC admits Michael Davis to membership in the firm

Posted on by KraftCPAs

KraftCPAs PLLC is pleased to announce that Michael Davis became a member in the firm on Nov. 1, 2015.

Michael, who joined KraftCPAs in 1997, earned his undergraduate and master’s degrees from the University of Tennessee. He has been with the firm his entire career. Most recently a senior manager on our financial institutions team, Michael works almost exclusively with our community bank clients, overseeing internal audits, external audits, compliance and loan reviews.

In addition to being a CPA, Michael is a certified financial services auditor – a designation awarded by the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA). He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Tennessee Society of Certified Public Accountants (TSCPA), the IIA and the Risk Management Association. In the past, he has served on the TSCPA Financial Institutions Committee and the Tennessee Bankers Association compliance committee.

“Michael’s commitment to client service has contributed greatly to our firm’s long-term success in the banking industry – which is one of our firm’s largest practice areas in terms of revenue,” said Vic Alexander, chief manager of KraftCPAs. “We are pleased to admit him into membership in our firm.”

Lucy Carter and team join KraftCPAs

Posted on by KraftCPAs

The members of KraftCPAs are pleased to announce that Lucy R. Carter, CPA, and the team of Carter Lankford, CPAs, P.C., will join our firm effective July 1.

Lucy will become a member (owner) in the firm. Sara Lankford, who has been in public accounting for more than 30 years, has decided to retire at the end of June.

Lucy has provided tax, audit, litigation support, management consulting, compliance, reimbursement and compensation services primarily to healthcare providers since 1977. She is the author of numerous articles appearing in The Journal of Accountancy, Healthcare Financial Management and Nashville Medical News. She has been recognized as one of the area’s Top 100 Health Care Leaders by the Nashville Business Journal.

Like many of our members, Lucy is actively involved in community service. She serves on the board of directors of Junior Achievement and on the audit committee of the United Methodist Publishing House. She is also a member of the Downtown Nashville Rotary Club.

Lucy explains, “In assessing the future of our firm, it became clear we would need additional resources to support future growth and provide career opportunities for our team. We had looked for the right match for some time. Kraft’s reputation for quality work, excellent client service, philanthropy and its award-winning culture make it the right choice. I have known many of the Kraft members for years and have always admired the firm. Because we share the same commitment to quality and have a similar firm culture, Kraft will just be bigger — not different — for our team and for our clients. We’re pleased to join the Kraft family.”