Tom Scharf
CPA/ABV, CVA, CFF, MAFF
Principal
Cleveland, OH
Resident of Independence, OH
Rea Team Member Since 2017
- Thomas is responsible for business consulting, tax planning, solving business related problems, valuation issues, mergers and sales and acquisitions
Topics or areas of expertise that Thomas can talk about (even in his sleep):
- Cost accounting, overhead allocation in manufacturing
- Business valuations
- Private clubs
- Fraud prevention
- Mergers, acquisitions/selling your business
How he’s helped clients meet their business needs:
- Assisted in multiple negotiations with clients and their professionals, achieving "win-win" results through creative tax strategies, business asset allocations and payment terms achieving results.
- Assisted and chartered detailed plans for the transfer of a family business to children who were working in the business. Saving estate taxes in doing so.
- Mediated multiple valuation issues in family estates, divorces and shareholder disputes.
How we know he knows what he’s doing:
- He holds a bachelor's degree in business administration, accounting and economics from Cleveland State University
- He has more than 40 years of experience in the accounting industry
- He joined Rea as part of the 2017 Walthall merger
- Recipient of The Marcia Stutzman Award for Community Service (2021)
Furthering his professional development, Thomas is involved with:
- American Institute of CPAs
- Ohio Society of CPAs
- National Association of Certified Valuation Analyst
- Hospitality Finance and Technical Professionals
- Canterbury Golf Club
- The Hermit Club
When he’s not in the office, you can find him:
- Golfing with clients or wife, Leanne
- Biking metro parks or towpath
- Traveling the world
- Walking or pushing our dogs
- Watching grandchildren or their events
- Singing with my Hermit friends
Inside The Mind Of…
- What is your most memorable moment at Rea?
When we as partners all shaved our heads when one partner was going through chemo. - What's your favorite aspect of your job?
I love helping people and meeting and exceeding their goals. - Why do you choose to work at Rea?
Because of the people and their commitment to client excellence. - What do you consider is your "brightest" quality?
WYSIWYG "what you see is what you get"
Just For Fun:
- What profession would you choose if you didn't go into accounting?
An airplane pilot - What makes you get out of bed every day?
My dogs - What was your first job?
Pizza shop - did it all
A practical CPA, with a good business understanding, taking complex tax & business issues, proposing solutions that are understandable