Two local CPA firms took first place in the fourth annual Georgia Accounting Food Fight, which took place Aug. 7-18.  The Food Fight is a friendly, two-week competition; during which accounting professionals statewide raise food and funds for Georgia's eight regional food banks. The Food Fight is run by The Georgia Society of CPAs and the Georgia Food Bank Association. It has collectively raised $441,179 and 49,270 pounds of food.

This year, more than 65 accounting firms and industry accounting departments in 21 cities competed in the Food Fight, raising a total of 11,286 pounds of food and $135,485 for Georgia’s food banks. Participants competing for Golden Harvest Food Bank were Anderson, Adkins & Company; Fuller Frost & Associates CPAs; Cherry Bekaert LLP-Augusta; Elliot Davis Decosimo, LLC; SME CPAs;  Pennington & Berry, CPA; and The Cleveland Group. Firms fundraised through the Virtual Food Drive at goldenharvest.org, raised donations internally, volunteered at the Faith Food Factory and collected nonperishable food items to earn points for the competition.

Local Winners

• Pennington & Berry, CPA – Sole Proprietor – Total Points & Points Per Employee Winner – 10,880 meals

• The Cleveland Group – Medium Firm – Points Per Employee Winner – 7,236 meals

In total, the seven Augusta accounting firms raised 39,675 meals to be distributed in Golden Harvest’s coverage area.

GSCPA CEO Boyd Search shared, “The Georgia Accounting Food Fight is our chance to come together to help families, children, and individuals struggling with hunger. The results of this year’s Food Fight demonstrate the strength, commitment and care of the accounting profession. I would like to congratulate the winners of this year’s Georgia Accounting Food Fight and thank everyone who participated. As a result of your generosity and hard work, Georgia’s food banks can now provide 536,829 meals to families, seniors and children in need.”