General Bio

As a partner at Meara Welch Browne, P.C., Preston Herman oversees all external audits, reviews, compilations and other attestation engagements. Preston primarily works with companies in the manufacturing and distribution, engineering, governmental and not-for-profit, textile, construction, health care, insurance and renewable energy industries.

He is also a Certified Public Accountant, licensed in Missouri and Kansas, and is accredited in Business Valuation (ABV) by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

In his accounting and audit work, Preston oversees annual employee benefit plan audits; prepares financial statements and footnote disclosures in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP); and provides consulting services related to accounting processes and internal controls and makes recommendations for process improvements resulting in increased efficiency and stronger controls.

Clients utilize Preston’s skillset and experience to provide consulting related to mergers and acquisitions and interim CFO services. These services involve understanding of various business and IT systems and discussions with all departments of an organization in order to develop protocols for seamless system integrations and robust business processes. In these CFO services Preston has aided in managing every aspect of businesses with annual cash flows in excess of $50,000,000, including negotiating contracts and developing cash flow projections for debtors.

In addition to his audit and accounting work, Preston utilizes his accounting and economics expertise in numerous complex litigation and valuation engagements involving serving as an expert witness regarding damages and other related allegations in business disputes. This includes analysis of damage calculation models, contract disputes and breaches, corporate veil issues, bankruptcies, and business and asset valuation models, among others. Preston also has experience with various fraud investigations involving extensive forensic accounting procedures, conducting interviews with clients, and extensive research into suspects’ personal and professional finances.

Preston graduated from Kansas State University, summa cum laude, with degrees in business administration: accounting and finance, with a minor in economics. Preston also has a master’s degree in economics from the University of Missouri.

Education

• Kansas State University, Bachelor of Science in business administration: accounting and finance, minor in economics
• University of Missouri, Master of Art in Economics

Certifications

• Certified Public Accountant (Licensed in Missouri and Kansas)
• American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Accredited in Business Valuation (ABV)

Community Involvement

• Involved in the Kansas City and Kansas State communities