Partner Spotlight
Trout Ebersole & Groff, LLP www.troutcpa.com
1705 Oregon Pike,
Lancaster, PA 17601 717-569-2900
222 South Market St., Suite 202, Elizabethtown, PA 17022 717-367-3225
2000 Linglestown Rd., Suite 104, Harrisburg, PA 17110 717-545-0453
Tell us a little bit about Trout Ebersole & Groff. What do you do? What are you best known for?
For over 80 years, our firm has provided quality accounting, auditing, tax, and business consulting services to our clients in the Central Pennsylvania region. With offices located in Lancaster, Elizabethtown and Harrisburg, our firm consists of experts in a variety of financial areas enabling us to assist a diverse group of companies and individuals. We have the expertise to provide complete financial services to individuals, large and small businesses, as well as other agencies and organizations.
Our mission is to be the trusted business advisor providing reliable answers and exceptional service, while building relationships of mutual respect.
Our Employee Benefits Practice Group performs audit services for over 50 benefit plans including health and welfare and retirement plans (defined contribution, defined benefit and ESOP plans). Our firm is also a member of the AICPA Employee Benefit Plan Audit Quality Center. Additionally, our highly experienced team provides expertise in many different industries including Automobile Dealerships, Construction, Governmental Agencies, Healthcare & Professional Services, Manufacturing & Distribution, Real Estate, Retailing & Wholesaling, and Tax-Exempt Organizations.
We offer a high level of expertise in Accounting, Auditing, and Tax Services as well as comprehensive services in Employee Benefit Plans, Business Valuation, Disaster Recovery Planning, Estate & Trust Planning, Fraud Investigation & Forensic Accounting, Litigation Support, and QuickBooks® Support.
When and how did Trout Ebersole & Groff start? How has it grown? What services to you offer?
Our firm was founded in 1929 by Paul H. Trout. He operated as a sole proprietorship until July 1, 1959, when Joseph E. Ebersole, who started with the firm on August 20, 1948, was admitted as a partner. At this time, the firm became Trout, Ebersole and Company. Hershey Groff, Jr., who became associated with the firm in June of 1960, was admitted as a partner in December 1, 1961, and the firm changed its name to Trout, Ebersole & Groff. The firm has subsequently changed its name to Trout, Ebersole & Groff, LLP under which name we continue to practice.
Why is your company so successful?
Our 15 partners are committed to client service and have a combined 375 years of experience. Our commitment to personal, timely, and value-added services is the key to our success in serving our clients. We have long been known for the quality of our service. Our firm's reputation reflects the high standards we demand of ourselves. We feel it is extremely important to continually and professionally educate our staff to improve our firm's technical expertise, financial knowledge, and service to our clients.
We are proud to have assembled a highly qualified and highly motivated professional staff of over 100 team members, more than 50 of whom are CPAs. Many hold advanced designations in areas such as employee benefit plans, business valuation, fraud examination, estate and trust taxation, and financial planning, among others. This allows us to provide a depth of knowledge, expertise and resources to our clients that is truly second to none!
How does your company participate in the community?
Professionally, our firm shares a nonprofit expertise that is widely utilized by more than 150 nonprofit organizations. In addition, we are committed to making a positive impact on the communities in which we live and do business. Whether through donations to charitable organizations, sponsoring charity events, fundraising efforts, non-profit board service, volunteering time, pro bono services, or encouraging employees to contribute through payroll deductions, we constantly strive to improve our local communities!
What makes your company a great employer?
Our philosophy is to encourage the professional and personal growth of all of our valued team members at all times. We encourage and support individuals in designing their own career in accounting, auditing, taxation, or in a wide variety of consulting fields. We also provide a flexible work schedule for employees to balance their work and personal lives.
How about you – Tell us about your backgrounds and roles with Trout Ebersole & Groff.
Krista Showers, CPA, MBA, CEBS
I joined Trout, Ebersole & Groff, LLP after graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree (magna cum laude) in Accounting and Economics/Business Administration with a Certificate of Management from Immaculata College. In addition, I also earned a Master of Business Administration degree from Lebanon Valley College in 1996 and the Certified Employee Benefit Specialist (CEBS) designation from International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans in 2002.
As a professional, I am Chair of the Employee Benefits Practice Group and am responsible for the Single Audits of all the firm's local educational agencies and other local governments. I serve on the firm's Governmental Practice Group and Quality Control Committee and am the firm’s designated audit partner for the AICPA Employee Benefit Plan Audit Quality Center.
My memberships include Central Pennsylvania Chapter of Certified Employee Benefit Specialists, Government Finance Officers Association (Special Review Committee), International Society of Certified Employee Benefit Specialists, Pennsylvania Association of Federal Program Coordinators, Pennsylvania Association of School Business Officials (Special Education Task Force), and Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants (Employee Benefits Plan Committee).
I am actively involved with the Lancaster Day Care Center as a board member and serve as the Executive Committee Member at Large. I am also a board member of the Immaculata University Business Advisory Board.
I enjoy the arts and travel and live in Lancaster County with my family.
Jill Gilbert, CPA
I joined Trout, Ebersole & Groff, LLP after graduating from Elizabethtown College with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with concentrations in Accounting and Finance. As a partner, I am Chair of the firm's Governmental Practice Group and serve on the Employee Benefits Practice Group. In addition, I serve on the firm's Business Development Committee, Audit Efficiency Committee, and Quality Control Committee.
As a professional, I am often called upon to speak at various conferences and workshops on both the state and local levels. I am an active member with the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA) and serve on the Employee Benefits Plan Committee, Local Government Committee and the South Central Chapter Executive Committee.
As an active member of the community, I am a member of the Elizabethtown Rotary Club and the vice-chairman of the Elizabethtown Fire Company Endowment Fund.
In my spare time I enjoy activities with my family, golf, reading, and vacationing at the beach. I live in Elizabethtown with my husband and two children.