Firm Profile
Abrams, Foster, Nole & Williams, P.A. (AFNW) is a minority-owned certified public accounting firm that was founded in 1983 to provide growth and development opportunities for African Americans in the accounting industry. Today, AFNW has grown into a diverse regional firm that serves the needs of companies and individuals throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. Our capabilities include accounting, auditing, tax and business advisory services for a variety of clients. Currently, AFNW serves individuals and families, nonprofit and religious organizations, federal, state and local government entities, and privately-held companies throughout the Mid-Atlantic Region.
At AFNW, we believe that our clients always come first. No matter what engagement challenges may arise, our talented professionals will be there working the hardest with and for you to deliver valuable solutions. We take pride in delivering premiere services as we understand that it is central to the success of the firm. Through personalized attention from our industry experts, we effectively address our clients' business and industry needs.
Management Team
Our leaders possess a wide range of professional experience in a variety of industries. This experience gives AFNW a depth and breadth of knowledge necessary to assist all types of corporate and individual challenges. Our commitment to provide value-added services ensures that we understand your industry challenges and have the business and financial knowledge necessary to address your short and long term goals. AFNW brings technical skill, business acumen, creative ideas, and timely solutions to all engagements. By assigning the right staff to each engagement, we are able to provide optimal solutions to meet and exceed client expectations.
Arnold Williams, CPA
Managing Director
Mr. Williams is a founding partner and currently the Managing Director. He brings a rich background in the health care industry to the firm and takes particular pride in serving nonprofit organizations within the region.
Gerald Abrams, CPA
Founding Director
Mr. Abrams is a founding partner of the firm with a background in the education and local government industries. His expertise includes tax, accounting, advisory and consulting services for companies and individuals.
Alicia Foster, CPA
Founding Director
Ms. Foster is a founding partner and has a diverse professional background. Her expertise is providing audit and assurance services for varying clients ranging from commercial corporations to nonprofit organizations.
Sheila Scott, CPA
Audit Principal
Ms. Scott is an Audit Principal with more than 15 years of experience. Her professional expertise is providing audits for a variety of clients in the state and local government, nonprofit, education and commercial industries.
Steven Davis, CPA
Tax Principal
Mr. Davis is the head of the Tax Dept. which currently serves individuals, private companies and public organizations. For nearly 20 years, Mr. Davis was the CFO for several for-profit and nonprofit organizations.
Bridget Lyday, MBA
Firm Administrator
Ms. Lyday is responsible for the financial, accounting, and human resources functions of the firm. She has more than 20 years of accounting and management experience with nonprofit organizations, state & local governments, REIT’s, property management companies, and manufacturing firms.
Jonathan Earley, CISSP
IT & Information Security Manager
Mr. Early is the Information Technology & Security Manager and Computer Services Auditor of the firm. He also works with the Audit Department to perform IT Evaluations, so that auditors can better determine the risk assessment related to the client's IT environment.
Mission, Vision & Values
For more than 30 years, AFNW has cultivated and maintained lasting relationships through a passion for industry expertise and a dedication to serving clients. Our mission, vision and values distinguish us from the rest. They inspire us to persistently achieve more and serve as the guiding principles for how we operate now and into the future
Mission
At AFNW, we are committed to:
- Providing quality services and innovative solutions that facilitate personal, professional and financial growth for our clients.
- Fostering a diverse, challenging and rewarding environment for our talented professionals to enhance their careers.
- Enhancing our communities through thought leadership, educational advancement and philanthropic initiatives for a better place to work and live.
Vision
To be a trusted partner for our clients' business and financial growth, and the premier choice for quality professionals to grow and develop.
Values
Our professionals live by the philosophy – Quality with Distinction. Everything we do is fueled by our desire to perform services in a manner that provides value to our clients, deserves respect and acknowledgment, and has the ability to help our clients grow and prosper right along with us. To continuously perform at this level, AFNW adheres to the following core values summarized in one worthy acronym – MERIT:
Methodology – our service methodologies are performed from the top-down, focusing on efficiency and effectiveness through collaboration and proactive communication.
Expertise – we only serve clients for which we have the industry specific knowledge to provide tailored services and meet or exceed expectations.
Respect – diversity and cultural acceptance encourages open communication and teamwork, which enhances productivity and inspires our staff to be the best they can be.
Innovation – cutting edge information and technology keeps us at the forefront of industry discussions and enables us to provide unique opportunities for our clients.
Trust – we take pride in our longstanding relationships with our clients, our employees and our business partners because they were founded on reliability and integrity.
Community Involvement
AFNW is involved in several industry related associations, including the Maryland Association of Certified Public Accountants (MACPA), American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), Maryland Government Finance Officers Association (MDGFOA), National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) and National Association of Black Accountants (NABA). We understand the importance of these memberships is rooted in professional growth and development and enhancing the communities in which we live and work. AFNW is committed to the accounting industry and our professionals continuously seek to refresh and expand upon their knowledge and technical skills to better service our clients.
AFNW personnel also serve on the Board of Directors of several nonprofit organizations, health care organizations and educational institutions. They have been teachers, speakers and trainers since the inception of the firm, spreading knowledge that will help our clients, colleagues and employees grow. AFNW offers charitable donations for admirable causes when possible and hosts and encourages employees to engage in or continue their volunteer activities in and around Baltimore. AFNW is committed to the accounting industry and our professionals continuously seek to refresh and expand upon their knowledge and technical skills to better service our clients.