Jim Merklin serves middle-market and high-growth clients in a variety of industries. He has extensive experience in employee benefit plans, business planning, financial forecasting, attestation services, fraud/forensic investigations, feasibility studies, cash flow analyses, due diligence on business acquisitions, profitability studies and internal control operations reviews. Jim was with Ernst & Whinney from 1986 to 1989 and with Hausser & Taylor from 1989 until he joined Bober Markey Fedorovich in 1997. He was elected a partner in 2003.

Specializations

• Employee Benefit Plans/ESOP/403(b) plans
• SEC Accounting and Advisory
• International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS)
• Manufacturing/Distribution
• Minor League Baseball
• Retail & Consumer Products
• Revenue Recognition Standards

Education

• Bachelor of Science in accounting, Case Western Reserve University
• Master of Accountancy, Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University
  • Recipient, Dean’s Award for high scholastic achievement

Certifications

• Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
• Certified in Financial Forensics (CFF)
• Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE)
• Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA)

Professional and Civic Memberships and Activities – Current

• American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), member
• Ohio Society of Certified Public Accountants (OSCPA), member
• AICPA and OSCPA Employee Benefit Plan Conferences, frequent speaker
• Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, member
• Greater Akron Chamber, board member
• Leadership Akron, Nominating Committee member; Class 2003 graduate and vice president
• Summit County ADM Board, member; Chair, Fiscal Oversight Committee

Professional and Civic Memberships and Activities – Past

• AICPA Employee Benefit Plan Audit Quality Center Executive Committee, member
• AICPA Employee Benefit Plans Expert Panel, 403(b) Plans, Risk Alert and Audit Guide Task Forces, member
• AICPA and OSCPA Employee Benefit Plans Audit Conferences Planning Committees (2014-2016), member and past chair
• Allinial Global, Employee Benefit Plans Committee, past chair
• Allinial Global, Manufacturing/Distribution Committee, past chair
• Boy Scouts of America, Great Trail Council, past campaign chair
• Cleveland Clinic Akron General, Community Health Committee, chair
• Community Support Services, Inc., chair
• Goodwill Industries of Akron, chair
• International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans, member
• Leadership Akron, Executive Committee, chair, Development Committee, chair, board member
• Northeast Ohio Medical University Foundation, board of directors, chair
• Rotary Club of Akron, treasurer
• Summit County ADM Board Levy Support Committee, honorary treasurer
• Tocqueville Society, United Way of Summit County, chair
• United Way of Summit County, chair

Awards and Accolades

• Goodwill Industries of Akron, Taste of Vintage Honoree, 2015
• Leadership Akron, Distinguished Leader Award 2014
• FirstMerit Nonprofit Board Executive of the Year, Pillar Award 2011

CliftonStrengths

• Significance
• Relator
• Achiever
• Consistency
• Responsibility