Richard Berkowitz is Founding and Executive Chairman; Joseph Saka is CEO, Edward N. Cooper is Director-in-Charge of the Tax Department

Berkowitz Pollack Brant Advisors and Accountants has announced its succession plan, introduced a new chief executive officer and elevated the former CEO to the position of founding and executive chairman.

Joseph L. Saka, CPA/PFS, has been named chief executive officer. Richard A. Berkowitz, JD, CPA, who founded the firm in 1980, has been named founding and executive chairman. Edward N. Cooper, CPA, has been named director-in-charge of the tax services practice, the role formerly held by Saka.

“This is an exciting time for our firm,” said Berkowitz. “Joe has proven to be an innovative thinker, a leader and a steward of the firm’s culture since joining us eighteen years ago. Our entire team is enthusiastic about Joe leading the firm and our transition to a new generation of leadership.”

Under Berkowitz’ leadership, the firm has been consistently recognized as a “Best of the Best” firm by Inside Public Accounting and as a Best Place to Work by Florida Trend, both epitomizing Berkowitz’s founding core values for the firm.  Known for its real estate, international tax, estate and wealth planning, and business consulting prowess, Berkowitz Pollack Brant is one of the largest firms in Florida and has been a top 100 US firm since 1995. In his new role, Berkowitz will focus on business development, leadership training, campus and lateral recruiting, governance and other special projects.

Saka has led the Tax Services practice since 2010. Clients value his strategic outlook, business acumen and commitment to process improvement. He has served on the firm’s Executive Committee, Management Committee, and Strategic Planning Committee and has been instrumental in making Berkowitz Pollack Brant an Accounting Today Top 100 entity recognized for its outstanding national reputation.

Cooper joined the firm in 2012 and focuses his practice on real estate consulting, complex partnership structuring and corporate tax planning. He will lead the firm’s seventy-five member tax practice, including continued expansion of services, process improvement and efficiencies, and client service teams.

“We advise many of our entrepreneurial clients on succession planning issues and we are proud to be implementing our succession plan after nearly five years of process,” Berkowitz continued. “I am so proud to introduce Joe and Ed in their new roles and to support their efforts in leading the firm into continued success.”

About Berkowitz Pollack Brant Advisors and Accountants

For nearly 40 years, the advisors and accountants of Berkowitz Pollack Brant have solved problems, provided knowledge and helped clients realize their potential. The firm and its affiliates Provenance Wealth Advisors and Orion/BayBridge Real Estate Group have offices in Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, Boca Raton, Palm Beach and New York City.

Berkowitz Pollack Brant has been named one of the top 100 firms in the U.S. by both Accounting Today and INSIDE Public Accounting and has been named one of Florida Trend’s Best Places to Work for five consecutive years.

One of the largest firms in South Florida, it is comprised of 220 talented and resourceful professionals who provide consulting services with an entrepreneurial focus. Specialty areas include domestic and international tax planning and compliance, corporate and commercial audits, forensics and litigation support, business valuation, and wealth management and preservation.