EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the fifth in a series of features on young professionals in the Ashland business community. Part IV was on Melanie Fitch. Part III was on Angela Ringler. Part II was on Jake Coffy. Part I was on Ashland Young Professionals.
ASHLAND — As a certified public accountant at Whitcomb & Hess, Beau Carpenter knows how to crunch the numbers. But his passion lies where people intersect with the math.
“I like working with numbers, but I think the thing that goes unnoticed about accounting sometimes is that you work with people a lot too,” Carpenter said. “I enjoy that aspect.
“Especially in this role, you have an opportunity to work closely with clients and help them with their accounting needs, whether it’s keeping the books or helping them with their taxes come year-end or even payroll taxes on a quarterly basis. It helps them, especially business owners, be able to focus on what it is that their business does.”
Carpenter, 27, spent three tax seasons as an intern at the Ashland-based financial advising firm before graduating from Ashland University in 2013. He also had an internship at Smucker’s.
He then worked as a corporate accountant for Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company for two years before returning to Ashland to work full-time for Whitcomb & Hess.
Carpenter recalls he chose Ashland University for its Dauch College of Business, it’s proximity to his family’s home in Marshallville and it’s award-winning food service.
It was the team of coworkers at Whitcomb & Hess and the firm’s Christian values that brought Carpenter to Ashland back in 2015. While at work, Carpenter uses a standing desk to stay on his feet, especially during the busy tax season.
When he’s not working, Carpenter enjoys spending time with family, including his three siblings and six nieces and nephews.
He also likes to stay active by playing basketball and lifting weights at the gym. He’s always reading and learning about fitness and nutrition.
So when he decided to find ways to get involved with and give back to then community, it felt like a natural fit for him to join the board of the Ashland YMCA. He started in the role this month.
He’s also signed on as treasurer of Ashland Young Professionals, a new group that kicks off with its first event 5:30 p.m. Feb. 22 at Mitchell’s Orchard and Farm Market. The group can be found on Facebook as well as online at www.ashlandyoungprofessionals.com.
Carpenter believes AYP will help fill a void he felt as a young person in Ashland.
“I wanted to get involved to really be able to connect and grow my network of young professionals,” Carpenter said. “Outside of working with clients and going to certain events, I wasn’t finding many opportunities to meet, connect and grow relationships with other people.”
Carpenter also looks forward to giving back to the community through AYP.
“I think as a young professional, you want to do that but you don’t always know how to do that,” he said.
Ashland Young Professionals ready to make a splash
Coffy finds passion, purpose in Ashland
Ringler embraces leadership at Ashland’s Advantage Marketing
Crestview grad credits Ag background for work ethic, leadership skills
