2023 Men of the Year: John Helms III

John Helms III was the first member of his family to graduate college, and he credits his parents for enabling him to chase after his educational and career interests.

“This achievement holds profound meaning for me, as my parents were never afforded the opportunity to pursue higher education,” says Helms, senior partner at Abacus CPAs LLC. “They devoted themselves to supporting our family and fostering an environment that would enable our success.”

With the goal of making his family proud though his academic pursuits, Helms went on to earn a bachelor’s in accounting, graduating magna cum laude, and then a master’s of accounting from Missouri State University.

“The significance of my journey extends far beyond personal achievement,” he says. “It represents the culmination of my parents’ sacrifices and the realization of the opportunities they tirelessly worked to provide.”

At Abacus CPAs, he’s fostered and sustained growth for the firm. While the accounting industry as a whole nets about 3%-5% annual growth, his firm has recorded about 20% on a regular basis for several years. He credits the firm’s dedication to serve people.

“I’ve helped to shape our people-focused culture, which gives employees the passion to help clients far beyond just tax returns,” Helms says.

He also created the Abacus PASS Program, which stands for partnership, accountability, support and success, to help certified public accountant candidates pass the CPA exam.

“The program is tailored to each participant to guide them toward success because everyone’s path is different,” he says of the one-on-one meetings and group study sessions outside of work.

Helms says he has an innate desire to assist clients and to help them solve their problems.

“When confronted with daunting obstacles, I embrace the opportunity to support our clients,” he says. “I approach each situation with empathy and a determination to find practical solutions. By actively listening to their concerns and leveraging my expertise, I am able to guide them through the intricacies of their circumstances, ultimately helping them overcome their challenges and achieve favorable outcomes.”

Within the community, Helms currently serves as president of the American Red Cross’ Southern Missouri Chapter, where he also has been a board member and the vice president. He’s served on other boards and committees, such as with Diaper Bank of the Ozarks, Champion Athletes of the Ozarks and the Missouri Society of CPAs-Southwest Chapter.

He’s also a member of the American Institute of CPAs and of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners.

As a veteran accountant, Helms says he has had the opportunity to speak with young college professionals and mentor the younger accountants at his firm through mentorship programs.

“We want to give these university students a solid foundation to start a career in which they can learn and gain real-world experience,” he says.

In addition to his work serving clients, Helms says through his mentorship he has been able to forge meaningful connections with those he assists.

“The privilege of contributing to the growth and success of others is a source of immense satisfaction for me,” he says. “Witnessing their progress and knowing that I have played a meaningful role in their journey fuels my motivation to continue making a positive impact.”