HORNE ranked in Top 100 by INSIDE Public Accounting
INSIDE Public Accounting has ranked HORNE number 29 on the Top 500 Firms list for 2024.
HORNE’s Board of Directors Announces New CFO
HORNE’s Board of Directors recently appointed Kennon Breaux as the firm’s chief financial officer.
Kennon Breaux
Kennon Breaux is the Chief Financial Officer at HORNE, and she leads the firm’s finance and accounting operations. Her primary focus is to identify, model and implement funding approaches that advance the firm’s mission.
Naveen Khan
Naveen Khan is the Director of AI and Innovation for HORNE’s Intelligence and Automation practice . She is responsible for overseeing the strategy, implementation and optimization of key emerging technologies and leading AI-driven product development.
Accounting Today ranked HORNE in top 30 accounting firms in the U.S. in 2024
HORNE has been named one of the top 30 accounting firms in the U.S. by industry publication Accounting Today.
Warren Haas
Warren Haas is an infrastructure engineer serving on HORNE’s data and technology team.
Tonya White
Tonya White is a senior manager on HORNE’s firm services team, where she leads the firm’s accounting department, payroll team, accounts payable and accounts receivable team.
HORNE’s Board of Directors announces new Director of People
HORNE’s Board of Directors announced Clay Kittrell as HORNE’s new Director of People, effective February 1, 2024.
Clay Kittrell
Clay Kittrell is the director of people at HORNE where he focuses on developing and executing tailored recruitment strategies that align with company growth and inclusivity objectives.
Why bad culture is scarier than a hard conversation
We work with enough leaders like you to know that hard conversations are scary in their own way. You probably wouldn’t use the word “scary,” but there are real fears that get in the way.
How to make hard conversations easier
How do you feel when you know you’ve got to have a hard conversation with someone?
This one mistake can cause most of your turnover
Have you ever felt unappreciated? What was the situation? How did that impact you? Whether you’re aware of it or not, appreciation is a deep human need.
How Strategic Planning Can Help You Hire and Keep Good People
We hear it all the time: it’s hard to hire and keep people. There is obviously truth to this.
Six ways to improve how you communicate change
What does it mean, practically, to “get people on board” with change? It often boils down to communication. Specifically, effective change communication is: early and often, clear and compelling and other-centered.
How to get skeptics on board with change
Getting skeptics on board with change is very, very hard. Not impossible, but hard. If someone’s skeptical, it’s probably for one of two reasons.
Get input from your people before starting change
Change is easier when people are actually excited about it. So, to change well, find out what people actually want—what would make them most excited if they saw it—and then incorporate as much of that as you can.
How to Lead Confidently Through Change
Change is everywhere. It can hurt us or make us stronger. It can divide us or bring us together. We believe one key thing can make the difference: how leaders prepare for, communicate during, and persist through change.
HORNE Seasons of Giving: $100,000 Donated to Local Charities
Five non-profits across the states of Mississippi, Hawaii, Louisiana and Florida will receive support for their community efforts thanks to HORNE’s Seasons of Giving initiative, powered by the HORNE Community Foundation.
HORNE Board of Directors admits Joe Green as director of assurance
HORNE’s Board of Directors recently appointed Public and Middle Market Partner, Joe Green, to serve as the next firmwide director of assurance. As he takes on this new role, he will also continue serving as the firm’s SEC director.
Are you considering cyber insurance to protect your business?
Cybersecurity and cyber insurance are a priority in today’s world, but in the past few years, these issues have become even more important for companies with employees working remotely. Working from home has multiplied the risks and occurrences of data breaches, and breach costs also have grown.
The Secret to Having Hard Conversations
Many leaders approach hard conversations the wrong way. The two most common mistakes we see are (1) allowing your emotions to set the tone and (2) making judgments about a person.
Want to keep employees? Have “stay conversations”
Recently we helped a family-owned general contractor re-engage two key employees. One was a supervisor whose future was in question as a large job was winding down. The other was a back office team member who’d become demotivated. Both were valuable to the business. The owners wanted to know: How can we help them stay?
HORNE ranked in Top 100 by INSIDE Public Accounting
INSIDE Public Accounting has ranked HORNE number 25 on the Top 500 Firms list for 2023.
One question to immediately improve your hiring process
One of the simplest and most cost-effective ways to improve hiring is to ask better interview questions. But what is a “better” or “worse” question? Today we’ll explain the anatomy of a better interview question and give one example that applies to any position.
How to set and achieve better goals
Let’s focus on goal setting. Take a moment to think about your goals. How confident are you that you can achieve them? How clear are they?
Lora Warren
Lora Warren serves as the director of proposal development at HORNE where she leads the proposal and capture team as they support internal stakeholders by responding to RFPs, securing new business opportunities and driving business development initiatives.
HORNE Earns C3PAO Designation
HORNE’s cyber team recently earned The Cyber AB Certified Third-Party Assessor Organization (C3PAO) designation which allows HORNE to perform specific cyber security assessments for Organizations Seeking Compliance (OSC) through contractual agreements.
Kathy Storm
Kathy Storm is a human resources senior manager who manages processes related to HORNE’s employee life cycle.
A deeper look at the generations
The workplace is no stranger to diversity, including race, religion and culture. But in the last few years, there has been a significant increase in the diversity and differences in generations.
Six things you need to know about Google Analytics 4
Google Analytics 4 is the next generation of Google Analytics. This is not simply a new version; it’s a new way to track and present data. Google’s goal is to provide more predictive analytics and display those through better data visualization.
Tips to get the most out of Google’s Helpful Content Update
Change is coming faster than ever. Every week, I search for the meaning of some new acronym that impacts our business processes. As someone who oversees not only HORNE’s web properties, but also those of clients, I had to research these changes Google has made. Here are my key takeaways.
Bridging the Gap: Capturing knowledge before it walks out the door
By 2030, all baby boomers will be 65 or older. Not to mention that many Gen Xers — or those born between 1965 and 1980 — are now in their 50s. Combined with workforce changes brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing “Great Resignation,” the potential for knowledge loss is growing across all industries.
How companies combat software insecurities
In most companies, developers are focused on meeting project deadlines, and that often leads to applications that are insecurely coded. Custom development can multiply vulnerabilities. Some 48 percent of developers think they leave vulnerabilities in their code, according to the State of Developer-Driven Security Survey 2022 from Secure Code Warrior.
Web applications remain biggest threat to cybersecurity
One of the biggest threats facing organizations related to cybersecurity involves web application security. Organizations continue to use custom-developed and off-the-shelf web applications, and they present significant cyber risk because of the vulnerabilities that are typically in them.
Essentials for growth: Culture, leadership development, planning
When it comes to sustaining or growing a business today, the status quo isn’t good enough anymore. We are in exponential times where the change around us is no longer incremental and we must anticipate the opportunities and challenges facing us in the future.
Fueling business growth through strategic planning
Exponential times have raised the bar for us to sustain business growth today. We are experiencing fast-moving change in so many facets of our businesses. Incremental thinking will only put us further behind so an effective strategic plan must be a priority.
Challenges to growth: Leadership Development
A critical challenge facing businesses today is leadership development. Opportunities for exponential growth and succession of various leadership roles require companies to plan and be intentional to develop the leaders to secure a bright and growing future.
Want growth for your business? Create a culture of belonging.
Large and small businesses have gone through massive changes in the past few years. Many saw their profits fall; they lost employees and suffered from supply chain issues.
Hire, Develop & Retain – Prioritize people and achieve growth.
The global pandemic reshaped the way we work. Not only did it expedite the shift to remote teams, it also highlighted the importance of work-life balance and allowed many workers to re-think their personal and career goals.
Cybersecurity: Protecting your Growth
Cybersecurity risks challenge your business development. You need to address the bad risks so you can take the good risks that let you grow and maneuver to stay ahead of your competition. You also need expert insights into cyber risk and how you must defend your organization and protect your growth.
Using technology to process and fuel growth
Technology’s power to disrupt is undeniable. One of the clearest examples rests in our pockets and purses. Decades ago, one would need a camcorder, gaming system, computer, stereo and encyclopedia – as well as a telephone – to replace just one of our mobile devices.
Unlocking the Power of Your Data
Since the early 1700s, when the first insurance companies were formed, organizations have sought to leverage data. What’s unique about now is the sheer amount of data available, thanks to how fast it’s generated.
Strategic Planning: Grow Your Company By Planning Ahead
If you don’t know your organization’s strategy, there’s a good chance company progress can be derailed. Change that equation with a dynamic and effective strategic plan.
Strategic Planning: Implementation and Accountability
Good preparation is crucial to good strategic planning – but you can’t finish without a robust strategic implementation program
Auto dealers must comply with GLBA by December 9
Automobile dealers don’t just sell vehicles, they do credit checks and issue loans as well. Because of this, dealers store important customer data, such as addresses, social security numbers and other personal identifiable information.
You’re Hired! How to use your website to drive recruiting.
When you look at your company’s website, what do you think its purpose is? What do you think it should be? Company websites serve many functions, such as providing information for current and potential clients. But one of its primary purposes also should be to recruit new talent.
Jennifer Summers
Jennifer Summers serves as assistant counsel for HORNE where she offers legal advice to senior leadership and administration regarding issues affecting the organization and its specific decisions.
Brett Watkins
Brett Watkins is a senior manager at HORNE who specializes in developing and implementing innovative programs to improve employee health and productivity. He is passionate about educating, guiding and assisting employees achieve a healthier lifestyle.
Vipin Prasad
Vipin Prasad is a senior manager in the business process solutions practice at HORNE where he serves as a technical business analyst/project manager. He specializes in business analysis, requirements analysis, current-state assessments, communication and helps liaise and coordinate future-state recommendations and solution delivery.
2022 Industry Growth Forecast
The pandemic presented unprecedented challenges for American businesses and local governments. As our nation heads toward a post-Covid environment, equally unique opportunities are taking shape. What does this mean for you?
Brad Pierce
Brad serves as the Chief Information Security Officer for HORNE where he leads cyber security programs and initiatives for the firm. He manages offensive cyber security operations for HORNE and its clients, where he leads on collaborating with executive leadership teams to strengthen their security posture.
Sara Yates
Sara Yates is a senior manager in the government services practice at HORNE where she works to execute human resources programs including employee relations, regulatory and compliance requirements and risk management. She is passionate about assisting internal stakeholders integrate their professional and personal lives while meeting and exceeding the needs of their clients by listening and researching solutions.
Bill Wadlington
Bill Wadlington is a senior manager in government services at HORNE. He specializes in information technology management.
More Than
With 1,000+ team members, we serve clients in 48 states and 2 U.S. territories. We focus on construction, cybersecurity, economic recovery, financial institutions, franchise, healthcare, M&A and public & middle market companies.
Leslie Petro
Leslie Petro focuses on creating events and experiences that align with the firm’s strategic initiatives while promoting the HORNE brand. As the event manager for the firm, she oversees all internal event management, as well as providing full event planning services to external clients.
Jon Legner
Jon is a data analytics senior manager at HORNE. He serves private and public companies by collaborating with them to use their data to solve problems and achieve their strategic objectives.
Terry Traylor
Terry Traylor serves HORNE as the director of finance. Using his background in assurance, business valuation and tax compliance, he manages the day-to-day financial operations for HORNE. Terry joined HORNE in 1996 and has more than 30 years of experience including audit, tax and consulting engagements. His experience spans a wide range of industries including manufacturing, merchandising, health care and financial institutions.
Lisa Taylor
Lisa Taylor serves as a director of project services at HORNE. She is a member of HORNE’s operations team where she serves the firm and its focus areas as a project manager, collaborator and advisor for strategic project implementations.
Mary Clay Morgan
Mary Clay Morgan serves as General Counsel at HORNE where she provides advice to firm leadership and administration on a wide range of legal and compliance issues. Mary Clay joined HORNE in 2021 with over 15 years of experience. Prior to joining HORNE, she was a partner at a national law firm where her practice was concentrated in employment discrimination, products liability, financial services, and commercial litigation matters, at the trial and appellate levels.
John Michaud
John Michaud is the director of business process solutions for HORNE. He leads the business process solutions team to apply process improvement, project management and analytic methodologies to bring out operational excellence to HORNE’s internal and external projects. His efforts enhance organizational effectiveness and provide the basis for management decisions.
Ken McDonald
Ken McDonald currently serves HORNE as the director of audit quality. His responsibilities include audit support, pre-issuance report reviews, assurance training, internal inspections, regulatory compliance, risk management and quality control. His industry experience includes manufacturing, transportation, consumer products, construction, not-for-profit and healthcare.
Chris Madison
Chris Madison is a director in firm services at HORNE where he works with private and public sector clients to provide analysis, design and implementation of best practice solutions for compliance and project effectiveness. He has developed multiple best practice resources for HORNE’s clients and has extensive experience in advising executives and government officials on highly technical program and compliance issues.
Tracy Cunningham
Tracy Cunningham serves as a director of project services at HORNE where she serves the firm and its industries as a project manager or in a collaborative role on strategic business objectives, initiatives and culture change. Tracy is a member of HORNE’s operations team and HUB team.
Tara Chrisco
Tara Chrisco is the director of people & organization development at HORNE. She is responsible for team member talent and potential over the entire worker life cycle – including talent acquisition, onboarding, learning, coaching and organization development. She also works with organizations that want to accelerate the growth of their workforce and business results.
Roxanne Anderson
Roxanne Anderson is a service transformation team senior manager at HORNE where she serves as a business analyst and project manager. She is responsible for establishing and coordinating project deliverables, communicating project status with internal and external stakeholders and creating custom project workflows.
Risk Management
Risk management involves every facet of your organization, regardless of your industry. We help transform risk into opportunity to give you peace of mind.
Rusty Butcher
For middle market and public companies, opportunities often come with a host of complexities. HORNE’s Rusty Butcher is here to help anticipate market factors and internal challenges so you are well informed and ready to take control of your future.
Client Advisory Services
The amount of time it takes to oversee routine accounting and financial operation functions is increasing. Let HORNE provide your managed accounting services.
Cybersecurity
Reduce exposure to cybersecurity threats. Stay ahead of the ever-changing regulatory requirements and strengthen your cybersecurity posture.
Wealth Building Strategies
The best wealth building strategies are achieved when we collaborate with you, your wealth advisor and your attorney to create your plan
Audit & Compliance
HORNE’s audit and compliance services provide a strategy to institute controls and manage risk and compliance to keep you prepared for opportunity.
SBA 7(a) Paycheck Protection Program Forgiveness Assistance
Many companies and individuals have applied for funds from the Small Business Administration (SBA) 7(a) Relief Loans Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Our previous communication addresses the recent suspension of the PPP due to inadequate funding. For our clients that did not receive funds or approval prior to the suspension, we will continue to work on completing applications and submitting to lenders in anticipation of additional funds being made available under the PPP.
Funding & Forgiveness: Exploring the CARES Act & Mississippi State Tax Incentives
Businesses today have to make tough decisions and search for funds to keep doors open and employees paid. Many applied for the SBA’s PPP loan to offset losses during the COVID-19 shutdown. The loan offers short-term relief, but there may be another opportunity for businesses to find additional monies in the form of unclaimed Mississippi state tax incentives.
Beware: Phishing Emails Target COVID-19 Small Business Loans
It has come to our attention that a new email phishing or “spoofing” scheme is being sent to businesses seeking financial assistance due to COVID-19. The emails are an attempt to scam business owners that have applied, or are considering applying, for Paycheck Protection Program loans backed by the U.S. Small Business Administration. These emails may look legitimate and appear to come from your bank.