New Principal Spotlight: Get to Know Michael Evrard

Michael Evrard, CPA, along with Marisa Ahrens, CPA, Jessica Rolfe, CPA, and Jennifer Tobias, CPA, was promoted to principal effective January 1, 2022.

Michael Evrard is a member of the firm’s Nonprofit Services Group, the Audit Services Group and the Education Services Group. He joined Yeo & Yeo in 2010 and is based in the firm’s Kalamazoo office. He assisted in developing the firm’s award-winning YeoLEAN audit process and provides audit services for school districts, construction companies and nonprofit organizations. Michael is a frequent contributor to Yeo & Yeo’s blog and the firm’s Nonprofit Advisor eNewsletter. He holds the AICPA Advanced Single Audit Certification and is a Leadership Genesee graduate.

Let’s learn more about Mike and his insights on a career in accounting.

You have been a key member of our Audit, Nonprofit, and Education Services Groups. How has this experience shaped your career?

I learned very early on that I would rather be a master of few than satisfactory at several. Being part of Yeo & Yeo’s niche service groups allows for a specific, drilled-down exchange of knowledge and ideas to ensure we are serving our clients in the best possible way. Focusing on just a few key industries has allowed me to develop superior technical skills in these areas and use them to directly benefit our clients.

What do you enjoy most about your career?

The people! I am fortunate to work with a fantastic group of clients. I have worked with some clients for my entire career and look forward to seeing them for the annual audit. I’m also fortunate to work with a great group of individuals at Yeo & Yeo, both in my local office and across the firm. We are truly a team that works together to serve our clients and help each other. Coworkers can make or break your work experience wherever your career takes you, so I am lucky to be around such a great group of professionals. This has been one of the contributing factors to working with the firm for my entire post-college life.

How do you define success?

Success, to me, is happiness. If you are happy with where you are, personally and professionally, you are successful. Success should be measured according to your desires, rather than against expectations or ideals from someone else.

What is the most exciting thing in accounting right now? 

One change brought about by the pandemic has been the need to do many things remotely. In the past couple of years, we’ve had to reevaluate how to accomplish our work. Some changes we have seen include remote board meetings, fewer days of on-site audit work, improvements in the functioning of file exchange portals, and remote screen-sharing collaboration among both internal employees and clients. Many of these changes have been quite positive, and it seems the business environment realizes efficiencies from them. It’ll be interesting to see which changes are here to stay.

What is your most significant contribution to the Yeo & Yeo team?

I take pride in working directly with other auditors during their first couple of years at the firm and helping them to be successful. I have been fortunate that I mainly work in small teams of the same individuals, which allows me to direct their development substantially. It is fulfilling to do what I can to help others grow into high-performing professionals.

Do you have hobbies or a passion for something unique?

I love to take trips up north to experience all the great things northern Michigan offers. I enjoy competition and love almost all games – sports, cards, board games and trivia, to name a few. I have a passion for animals and their well-being. I am also a huge music and Detroit Lions fan, and I love trying different foods, cocktails and craft beer!