LANCASTER, PA (July 8, 2021) – RKL LLP today announced the admission of four new partners to firm leadership: Travis A. Bieber, CPA, Benjamin J. Fortner, J.D., Timothy D. Kraft, CPA, and Joshua L. Weiss, CPA, MST.
“We are proud to welcome Travis, Ben, Tim and Josh to the firm partnership,” said RKL CEO Edward W. Monborne. “They are respected experts, trusted advisors and leaders among their colleagues and communities, and we are eager to see their contributions to the firm’s ongoing success.”
Travis A. Bieber, CPA
Bieber will serve as a partner in RKL’s Audit Services Group, where he will continue to lead assurance engagements for clients in a wide variety of industries, including manufacturing, distribution and food processing, and employee benefit plans. Throughout his nearly 14 years career in public accounting, Bieber has worked with privately held, family owned and private equity backed companies ranging in size from small start-up to large middle market.
Bieber is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants. He earned his B.S. in Accounting from Kutztown University. Bieber sits on the board of the Keystone State Quarter Midget Racing Club and the Golf Committee of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Berks County. He resides in his hometown of Oley, Pennsylvania with his wife and their two daughters.
Benjamin J. Fortner, J.D.
Fortner will serve as a partner in RKL’s Tax Services Group and continue to lead the firm’s Research and Development (R&D) Credit Practice. A recognized technical expert and respected leader in the field of R&D tax credits and business transactional law, Fortner has helped hundreds of mid-sized U.S. companies in a wide variety of industries reap the financial rewards of process improvement and product development.
Together with his team of R&D specialists, Fortner takes a hands-on approach to delivering customized analysis of his clients’ intricate activities to deliver increased benefit from this often misunderstood and under-utilized tax credit. He holds a Bachelors of Business Administration in Finance with Real Estate and Risk Management Focus from the University of Texas at Austin and a Juris Doctor from SMU Dedman School of Law. Fortner is a member of the State Bar of Texas and belongs to the Tax Section of that organization. He resides in Houston, Texas with his wife.
Timothy D. Kraft, CPA
Kraft will serve as partner in RKL’s Audit Services Group. With nearly 15 years of public accounting experience, Kraft delivers assurance and financial reporting services to clients primarily in the manufacturing and distribution industry and the public sector, including transits. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Government Finance Officers Association and Pennsylvania Public Transportation Association.
Kraft earned his B.S. in Accounting and Finance from Villanova University. He is active in his community, serving as treasurer of the South Mountain YMCA, treasurer for the Hawk Mountain Council, board member for the Mifflin Area Youth Baseball Association and council member for St. John’s Lutheran Church of Mohnton. Kraft resides in Mohnton with his wife and their two children.
Joshua L. Weiss, CPA, MST
Weiss will serve as partner in RKL’s Tax Services Group, where he will continue to serve the tax planning and compliance needs of clients in the manufacturing, distribution and service industries. With more than 15 years of public accounting experience, Weiss specializes in corporations and partnerships, including consolidated C Corporations and multi-state taxation, and has considerable experience in accounting for income taxes (ASC 740). He holds a B.S. B.A. Accounting from Kutztown University and an M.S. Taxation from DePaul University.
Weiss is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants. He sits on the board of Helping Harvest and serves as treasurer for the Laurel Run Swimming Association. Weiss is a 2010 graduate of the Leadership Berks program. He resides in Muhlenberg Township with his wife and their two sons.
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