When Jim Lewis was promoted to managing shareholder of KPM CPAs PC in 2014, he brought more than 30 years of experience to his role leading the firm he joined in 1981.
Lewis specializes in wealth management services and tax preparation for both businesses and individuals. John Twitty is one of them.
“I have known Jim for almost 25 years as a friend, fellow Leadership Springfield Class 8 member and my CPA and financial adviser,” says Twitty, executive director of the Transmission Access Policy Study Group. “Jim is a man of integrity and character. These traits make him an outstanding friend and an even better accounting professional. I’m never one to take risks with my taxes, and even if I were, Jim wouldn’t allow it.”
As managing shareholder, Lewis is open to new initiatives that position KPM to become more innovative. As a result, in a 12-month time frame, he initiated two mergers to boost the firm’s revenue and position it as the sixth-fastest growing accounting firm in the country and the top firm in the Midwest, as rated by Accounting Today.
“This resulted in our firm nearly doubling in size,” Lewis says. “As a part of this redevelopment, I oversaw the construction and completion of our new, large headquarters building that will allow our firm to continue to grow in addition to spearheading our membership acceptance into a large, international association of independent accounting firms.”
As KPM has expanded and additional executive-level administrative positions became necessary, Lewis recognized that encouraging active leadership was critical for success.
“I have mentored and coached in such a way that has allowed them to spearhead innovative projects in our changing firm,” he says. “As a direct result of this strategy, I have overseen the design of a new brand for all KPM companies, a redeveloped website, increased employee-engagement initiatives and enhanced coaching and mentoring programs.”
Lewis is a certified public accountant, certified financial planner and personal financial specialist and belongs to the American Institute of CPAs, Missouri Society of CPAs and the Financial Planning Association. In addition to being a Leadership Springfield graduate, he is a former board member of the organization and a recipient of the O. Franklin Kenworthy Award for Outstanding Leadership.
“Leadership Springfield gives this award to those who have a deep commitment to our community, are heavily involved in civic affairs and possess strong leadership skills,” Lewis says. “It was an honor to have my efforts reflected in this award bestowed by notable community leaders.”
He has sat on the boards for United Way of the Ozarks, Springfield Business Development Corp., Cents of Pride and Ozarks Food Harvest, for which Lewis served as chairman of the capital campaign to build a new warehouse for the food bank that serves 28 counties.
“I was very passionate about this cause and am proud it was so incredibly successful and raised more than $5 million,” Lewis says.
Twitty says Lewis is committed to serving his community.
“Jim has been making Springfield better for 30 years now,” he says.
Utah-based gourmet cookie chain Crumbl Cookies opened its first Springfield shop; interior design business Branson Upstaging LLC relocated; and Lauren Ashley Dance Center LLC added a second location.
