Evan Ross, 32 / Certified Public Accountant/Tax Senior Manager, Brown, Edwards & Company LLP
At Brown Edwards, Evan Ross spearheads the real estate practice area and leads the tax department, specializing in diverse industries. He is responsible for initiating the real estate practice area at Brown Edwards in 2023 and is part of the State & Local Tax (SALT) group and LEAN Team there. He earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from Roanoke College (2012) and a Master of Accounting (Taxation) from Virginia Tech (2013). He's held a Virginia CPA license since 2016, undertaking programs like the VSCPA Leadership Academy (2018) and presently enrolled in the Rainmaker Academy (2023-2024) for leadership and business development. He volunteers at Roanoke and Botetourt Chambers of Commerce, Boys & Girls Club, serves on the Finance Committee and Board of Directors for Junior Achievement of Southwest Virginia and coaches sports in Botetourt County. “Many kids do not have a positive role model and someone to teach them basic financial and physical skills. Children are extremely influential at young ages and I want those kids to succeed and develop. They may not end up being a Fortune 500 CEO or professional athlete, but I believe I am adding significant value to their lives at a young age.”
Education and Certifications:
- Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in Virginia since 2016.
- Earned a Bachelor of Business Administration with a Concentration in Accounting, Roanoke College, 2012
- Earned a Master of Accounting (Taxation), Virginia Tech, 2013
- Graduate of Virginia Society of Certified Public Accountants (VSCPA) Leadership Academy (2018).
- President, Roanoke Chapter of VSCPA, 2018
- Member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA).
- Enrolled in the Rainmaker Academy (2023-2024), a nationally recognized program focusing on leadership and business development.
Career Achievements:
- A leader in the tax department at Brown Edwards, specializing in industries such as real estate, construction, manufacturing and financial institutions.
- Responsible for initiating the real estate practice area at Brown Edwards in 2023.
- Known for his innovation, inspiration and high energy in the workplace.
- Actively involved in various firm initiatives, committees, business development, staff mentoring and client relationships.
- Organized a young professionals group across different industries to foster networking and create business opportunities.
- Conducted Diversity, Equity and Inclusion seminars at his firm, showcasing his commitment to important issues.
- Part of the State & Local Tax (SALT) group and LEAN Team at Brown Edwards.
Community Involvement:
- Serves on the Finance Committee and Board of Directors for Junior Achievement of Southwest Virginia, sharing his financial knowledge with local students.
- Involved with the Roanoke and Botetourt Chambers of Commerce and Boys & Girls Club, actively participating in events and meetings.
- Volunteer at the Botetourt YMCA for the past three years
- Volunteer coach for Botetourt County Parks & Recreation.
From the Nomination: “Evan Ross is a CPA adding value to his firm, clients and community. At work he is a leader in the tax department bringing traits such as innovation, inspiration and high energy. He is involved in many areas of the firm including business development, staff mentoring, client relationships, numerous committees and leadership. Ross focuses his client work in industries such as real estate, construction, manufacturing and financial institutions. He is responsible for kick starting the real estate practice area at Brown Edwards and is working with firm leadership to continue gaining momentum. His greatest value stems from forming relationships within the firm, clients and prospects. He has the ability to connect with people and make them feel comfortable and in good hands. He is currently enrolled in the Rainmaker Academy which is an 18-month program concentrating on leadership and business development. This is a nationally recognized program that attracts CPAs from across the county. In addition, Ross started a young professionals group amongst his accounting firm, a law firm and insurance company that brings individuals from different work backgrounds together on a quarterly basis. The purpose of the group is to bring these individuals together, create relationships, network and create business opportunities. He also graduated from the VSCPA Leadership Academy in 2018.
Client relationships go beyond annual tax compliance. Ross consults with his clients throughout the year and looks for opportunities to add value with business suggestions and updates on new legislation. His client base ranges from small businesses to multi-million dollar companies with significant multi-state and internal operations. No matter the size, Ross wants to give quality service to each client he engages with.
Ross is a valued member of the accounting profession, his firm and the local community. His energy, innovation, niche specific knowledge has allowed him to grow in the profession and become a leader and trusted advisor. He is always looking to improve and exceed expectations. At 32 years old, he has enjoyed a lot of success, but there is still a significant amount of growth and learning potential available.
Ross has achieved many accomplishments as an accountant and is heavily involved in multiple firm initiatives at Brown Edwards. He passed the CPA Exam and has been a Certified Public Accountant in the state of Virginia since 2016. He is a Graduate of Virginia Society of Certified Public Accountants (VSCPA) Leadership Academy (2018) and a member of American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). Ross is also enrolled in the Rainmaker Academy (2023-2024). This is a nationally recognized program that attracts CPAs from across the county and concentrates on leadership and business development. Ross is leader at his firm and recently help start the real estate practice area for the firm in 2023. He has had numerous speaking engagements internally and externally with VSCPA, Roanoke Chapter of VSCPA, Virginia Tech and Roanoke College. In the summer of 2022, Ross led a five hour Diversity Equity and Inclusion seminar for directors and managers at his firm which required him to be vulnerable and uncomfortable to communicate and discuss the content. He also piloted a coaching program at work and continues to be involved in mentoring and coaching staff throughout the year. The pilot program started in 2021. He is also part of the State & Local Tax (SALT) group and LEAN Team at Brown Edwards. The SALT group consults and advises business owners and individuals on state and local tax obligations and requirements. The LEAN team consults and develops efficiencies for the tax practice at Brown Edwards. He has knowledge in various industries, but specializes in real estate, construction and manufacturing. Ross continues to be a significant asset to his firm and clients through his commitment to relationships and quality service.
Ross is also heavily involved in his local community. He serves on the Finance Committee and Board of Directors for Junior Achievement of Southwest Virginia. He is able to share his financial knowledge with students in the community and help ensure the organization is financially responsible. He is also is involve with the Roanoke and Botetourt Chambers of Commerce and Boys & Girls Club and attends multiple events and meetings throughout the year. In addition to serving the community through various organizations, Ross also volunteers as a sports coach in Botetourt County. He has volunteered at the Botetourt YMCA for the past three years and is now a volunteer coach for Botetourt County Parks & Recreation. A lot of his volunteering is designed around kids. He has two daughters of his own, Saylor (5) and Lennon (1) and he believes there is value in kids having a positive role model and having access to financial knowledge.
Ross has a unique ability to connect with clients, prospects, employees and others in the community and create valuable relationships. All of these people trust Ross and feel comfortable approaching him with questions and discussions. He is always willing to try something new and is the first to volunteer at work and in the community. At a young age he has become a leader in his firm through relationships, innovations and trust. Ross prides his self on being a trusted advisor and wants clients, peers and others in the community to look to him for advice for any business problems.
Ross is very deserving of this recognition based on his career success, achievements and community involvement. He is a valued member of the accounting profession, his firm and the local community. His energy, innovation, niche specific knowledge has allowed him to grow in the profession and become a leader and trusted advisor. He is always looking to improve and exceed expectations. At 32 years old, he has enjoyed a lot of success, but there is still a significant amount of growth and learning potential available.”
What do you love about Roanoke?
“Roanoke has always been home. I grew up in the Bonsack area, attended Roanoke College for my undergraduate degree, met my wife in Roanoke and raised two beautiful daughters five minutes from where I lived as a kid. There are countless outdoor activities and no better place to raise a family than the Roanoke Valley. I am passionate about fitness and the mountains, greenways, Smith Mountain Lake and Blue Ridge Parkway provide opportunities to get outside and be active. My most recent fitness adventure is Spartan Races, which involve completing courses of various distances and testing your mental and physical endurance and strength. The trails, greenways and roadways in Roanoke allow me to train and prepare for these races. I have seen the area grow significantly over the years and I am always interested in trying out the newest restaurants and attending local community events with friends and family. I stay active in the community and have been fortunate to form strong relationships with people having similar interests in business and personal lives. Anywhere I go in Roanoke, I tend to run into a familiar face, which I enjoy.”
How does your passion impact our community?
“I am passionate about building relationships and adding value to everything I do. At work, I strive to build client relationships beyond annual tax compliance. I want my clients to trust in the value I offer and think to call me when they have a question or concern. Another passion I have is children. I volunteer with Junior Achievement of Southwest Virginia and coach rec sports in Botetourt County. Many kids do not have a positive role model and someone to teach them basic financial and physical skills. Children are extremely influential at young ages and I want those kids to succeed and develop. They may not end up being a Fortune 500 CEO or professional athlete, but I believe I am adding significant value to their lives at a young age.”