Jacob Sopczynski

Jacob Sopczynski is a Principal and leader of the firm’s Manufacturing Services Group. Jacob serves many clients as a consultant and specialist in the application of data extraction techniques, tax planning and assurance services. He joined Yeo & Yeo in 2005 and serves on the firm’s board of directors.

Specializations

  • Audits of Federal Awards
  • Audits of local governmental units, school districts and nonprofit organizations
  • Data extraction uses and techniques
  • Government Auditing Standards
  • Information management and technology assurance
  • Manufacturing, Construction, Distribution
  • Tax planning for business and personal

Professional Certifications and Education

  • Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
  • Saginaw Valley State University, Bachelor of Professional Accountancy

Professional Membership

  • American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
  • Automation Alley, finance committee
  • Government Finance Officers Association
  • Great Lakes Bay Manufacturers Association
  • Michigan Association of CPAs Manufacturing Task Force
  • Michigan Institute of Certified Public Accountants
  • Michigan Manufacturers Association

Publications/Seminars

  • Article: Three Ways to Develop Manufacturing Leaders
  • Article: Re-evaluate Your Company’s Competitiveness in a Changed Economy
  • Article: Get Ready for FASB’s New Lease Accounting Requirements
  • Article: Social Media Tips for Manufacturing
  • Article: Why the Three key Elements of Integrity are Critical for Your Accountant
  • Podcast: Tax Effects of Cryptocurrency

Community Involvement

  • 1,000 Leaders Initiative
  • International Academy of Flint, board of trustees
  • Gen Forward
  • Leadership Bay County Alumni
  • The Hundred Club of Genesee, Shiawassee and Lapeer Counties

Brad DeVries is the Managing Principal of the East Lansing office. He joined Yeo & Yeo in 2005. He leads the firm’s Nonprofit Services Group and is a member of the Assurance Service Line and the Real Estate Services Group.

Specializations

  • Audit, consulting, and tax services with an emphasis on nonprofit organizations and trade associations, insurance entities, and affordable housing and real estate entities
  • HUD, MSHDA, and Rural Development affordable housing audit services
  • In-depth expertise in nonprofit and association management
  • Internal control design and organizational controls
  • Low Income Housing Tax Credit compliance
  • Single audits

Professional Certifications and Education

  • Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
  • Certified Association Executive (CAE)
  • Not-for-Profit Certificate 1 from the AICPA
  • Western Michigan University, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration

Professional Membership

  • Affordable Housing Association of Certified Public Accountants
  • American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
  • American Society of Association Executives
  • Michigan Association of Certified Public Accountants
  • Michigan Nonprofit Association
  • Michigan Society of Association Executives

Publications/Seminars

  • Article: Possible Relief for New Lease Standard Implementation
  • Article: Nonprofit Quick Tip – Insurance Coverage
  • Article: Implementation of the Lease Accounting Standard Has Been Delayed
  • Article: Nonprofit Quick Tip: Lease Inventory Policy
  • Article: Nonprofit Quick Tip: Operating Reserves
  • Article: Compilation, Review or Audit – Which One Is Best for Your Nonprofit?
  • Article: Nonprofit Quick Tip: Conflict of Interest Policy
  • Article: Nonprofit Quick Tip: Whistleblower Policy
  • Article: Policies and Procedures: A Roadmap to Success
  • Article: Best Practices for Effective Donor Acknowledgment Letters
  • Article: Authored and published numerous articles for Yeo & Yeo Nonprofit Perspectives Newsletter
  • eBook: Lobbying and Political Expenditures: A Nonprofit Perspective
  • eBook: Essential Nonprofit Policies — Create Policies That Support Your Organization and Mission
  • Presentation: Speaker for seminars on nonprofit and real estate auditing at Yeo & Yeo
  • Presentation: Presenter at the Troy Chamber of Commerce Nonprofit Conference
  • Presentation: Presenter at the Michigan Association of Certified Public Accountants Annual Nonprofit Conference
  • Presentation: Presenter at the Michigan Association of Certified Public Accountants Accounting & Auditing Symposium
  • Presentation: Presenter at the Michigan Society of Association Executives Academy of Association Management
  • Presentation: Presenter at the Michigan Society of Association Executives Operations Conference

Community Involvement

  • Condo Association, former treasurer
  • Leadership Lansing graduate
  • Local Community, volunteer
  • Michigan Rural Development Council, board member and treasurer
  • Michigan Society of Association Executives, board member and Spring Golf Committee chair

Brian Dixon is the Managing Principal of the firm’s Saginaw office. He is a member of the firm’s Education Services Group and Health Care Services Group. He joined Yeo & Yeo in 1998.

Specializations

  • Audits of healthcare organizations, local school districts, nonprofit organizations, and small businesses
  • Audits under government auditing standards
  • Single audits under OMB A-133 and 2 CFR 200

Professional Certifications and Education

  • Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
  • AICPA Advanced Single Audit Certification
  • Northwood University, Bachelors in Accounting

Professional Membership

  • American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
  • Healthcare Financial Management Association
  • Michigan Association of Certified Public Accountants
  • Michigan School Business Officials

Publications/Seminars

  • Article: GASB 87: Fundamental Changes in Lease Accounting for Schools
  • Article: GASB Financial Reporting Model Reexamination for Government
  • Article: How to Develop an Ethical Culture in Your School District
  • Article: Five Ways School Districts Work Smarter, Not Harder, When Preparing for an Audit
  • Article: Don’t Forget! Year-End Audit Submission Reminders
  • Article: GASB Financial Reporting Model Reexamination for Education
  • Article: Changes to Fiduciary Activity Reporting
  • Article: Know Before You Hire! Professional Standards for School Nutrition Program Employees
  • Article: Cafeteria Plans
  • Presentation: Single Audit Update: Be Prepared for Year-End for the Michigan School Business Officials Conference
  • Presentation: School District Accounting and Auditing Update for Saginaw Valley School Business Officials
  • Presentation: School District Accounting and Auditing Update for the MICPA Conference
  • Presentation: Top Audit Issues for Community Health Centers for the Michigan Primary Care Association Finance Officers Forum
  • Presentation: Major Changes to Federal Award Requirements for the Michigan Primary Care Association Finance Officers Forum
  • Presentation: School District A-133 Update for Southwest Michigan School Business Officials
  • Presentation: District-Wide Conversion and Financial Statement Preparation for Southwest Michigan School Business Officials
  • Presentation: School District Accounting and Auditing Update for the Michigan School Business Officials Annual Conference
  • Presentation: Ask the Auditor for the Michigan School Business Officials Annual Conference
  • Presentation: Accounting & Auditing Update for the Michigan Primary Care Association Annual Conference
  • Presentation: IT Vendor Fraud for the Michigan School Business Officials Annual Conference
  • Presentation: Employee Retention Credit Summary and Discussion for the Michigan Primary Care Association Finance Officers Forum
  • Training: Various Yeo & Yeo in-house trainings

Community Involvement

  • Carrollton Education Foundation, board treasurer
  • Frankenmuth Credit Union, board chairman
  • Leadership Saginaw Alumnus
  • Saginaw Area Jaycees Foundation Scholarship Fund, SCF Fund Representative
  • Saginaw Hospital Finance Authority, board member
  • United Way of Saginaw County, board treasurer
  • Yeo & Yeo Foundation, vice president

Kristi Krafft-Bellsky is the firm’s Director of Quality Control, overseeing the development and implementation of policies and processes to comply with professional standards and regulatory requirements. She joined Yeo & Yeo in 2003 and is a Principal in the Saginaw office. She is a member of the firm’s Education Services Group and the Technology and Innovation Team.

Specializations

  • Audit and attestation services for nonprofit organizations, government entities, healthcare organizations, and school districts
  • Audits under Governmental Auditing Standards
  • Leads internal technology and innovation initiatives with a focus on aligning processes to quality standards, driving efficiency, and fostering continuous improvement.
  • Oversight of professional performance, including engagement quality control reviews, internal quality performance reviews, and the peer review process
  • Single audits
  • Technical guidance and support on complex accounting and auditing issues

Professional Certifications and Education

  • Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
  • Western Michigan University, Bachelor of Business Administration
  • Western Michigan University, Master of Science in Accountancy

Professional Membership

  • American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
  • BDO Alliance USA
  • MDE School Auditing Manual Referent Group, member
  • Michigan Association of Certified Public Accountants
  • Michigan School Business Officials (MSBO)

Publications/Seminars

  • Article: Managing School Nutrition Programs: Financial Reporting and Auditing
  • Presentation: Presenter for Michigan School Business Officials
  • Presentation: Presenter for Michigan Association of Certified Public Accountants

Community Involvement

  • 100+ Women Who Care Mid-Michigan, member
  • Executive Committee for Early Childhood Investment Corporation, member
  • Frankenmuth Community Foundation’s Legacy Ball Committee, treasurer
  • Leadership Saginaw County graduate
  • Saginaw County 1000 Leaders graduate

Ali Barnes is the Managing Principal of the Alma office. She joined Yeo & Yeo in 2007. She leads the firm’s Assurance Technical Team and is a member of the firm’s Quality Assurance Committee, Government Services Group and Pension Services Group.

Specializations

  • Assurance services, with an emphasis on government entities, school districts, for-profit organizations and employee retirement benefit plans.
  • Audits under government auditing standards
  • Single audits and audits under 2 CFR 200

Professional Certifications and Education

  • Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
  • Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM)
  • Saginaw Valley State University, Bachelor of Professional Accountancy

Professional Membership

  • American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
  • GFOA Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting Program – Special Review Committee
  • Michigan Association of Certified Public Accountants
  • Michigan Government Finance Officers Association – Standards Committee and Board of Directors
  • Michigan Municipal Treasurers Association
  • Michigan School Business Officials

Publications/Seminars

  • Article: Effective Audit Management: A Guide for Townships
  • Article: Effectively Communicating Financial Information
  • Article: How to Use Spreadsheets Effectively, Plus Excel Tips & Tricks
  • Article: Leadership During Uncertain Times
  • Article: Increase Finance and Accounting Department Efficiency
  • Article: You Won the Election, But Do You Know the Compliance Challenges Ahead?
  • Article: Are You Overwhelmed? Prioritize to Take Control of Your Work Life
  • Presentation: Enterprise Fund Accounting Issues, MGFOA Fall Conference
  • Presentation: Fund Accounting, presented to MSBO Beginning Business Managers
  • Presentation: Transparency and Accountability and Financial Management, Nonprofit Management/Leadership Certificate Program, Saginaw Valley State University
  • Presentation: Tips for Governments, Yeo & Yeo Governmental Client Training
  • Presentation: School District Auditing Primer, MICPA Government Conference
  • Presentation: Get Ready for 401(k) Audit, MICPA Employee Benefit Plans Conference
  • Presentation: Initial Audits and Cyber Security, MICPA Employee Benefit Plans Conference
  • Presentation: OPEB Reporting: Embracing GASB 74 and 75, MICPA Government Conference
  • Presentation: GASB 75: Do You Accept the Challenge?, MICPA Government Conference
  • Presentation: Increase Finance and Accounting Department Efficiency, MGFOA Fall Conference
  • Podcast: Michigan Uniform Chart of Accounts for Local Government
  • Training: Internal trainings on school districts, governmental entities, and employee benefit plans

Community Involvement

  • Alma Kiwanis, former member
  • Alma Police Athletic League, board treasurer
  • Gratiot County Community Foundation, president and finance committee member
  • Pine River Township, compensation committee
  • Junior Achievement, classroom volunteer

Awards

  • Named among Forbes 2025 Best in State CPAs