Yeo & Yeo Honors Kellen Riker
Yeo & Yeo is pleased to announce that Kellen Riker, CPA, was recently honored with the most prestigious award bestowed by the firm, the Spirit of Yeo award. The Spirit of Yeo award recognizes an individual within the firm who exemplifies the organization’s mission and core values.
“What makes our professionals’ relationships with their clients so strong is the effective and open communications they share every day. Kellen has repeatedly been recognized for how professional – yet down to earth – he is with his clients. His communications skills are outstanding, and our clients enjoy working with him,” says Thomas Hollerback, President & CEO.
Kellen provides audit and assurance services for clients across Michigan, specializing in school districts and nonprofit organizations. He is a senior accountant with more than five years of experience in audit, accounting, and budgeting. He is based in the firm’s Flint office.
Kellen received multiple nominations for the Spirit of Yeo award. One of his nominators said, “Kellen provides excellent client service. He communicates well with clients and he can talk to anyone. He makes our clients feel important.”
Besides supporting the firm’s clients, Kellen also realizes the importance of assisting newer staff. Another nominator said, “Kellen is a leader of his peer group and will be a future leader of the firm. He provides exceptional support to new team members. He is easy to talk to and becomes a go-to for new staff for questions.” Another said, “Kellen is always kind, in a great mood and ready to help. Every time I work with Kellen, he teaches me something new. He never makes me feel like I am bothering him, but rather like he really cares that I learn.”
Kellen performs his audit work accurately and completes projects before their due date. One nominator continues, “Kellen is always willing to help out and step up. He consistently works additional hours when needed to get jobs done. He works at several offices and easily works with multiple managers and partners. He is an absolute pleasure and a strong link in the chain for our successful team.”
Recently, Kellen took on more responsibility by joining the firm’s Yeo Young Professionals (YYP) group, which shapes the future of Yeo & Yeo by providing a voice for the young professionals in the firm. One of the YYP’s initiatives is the Summer Leadership Program, which allows college students to explore a career in accounting. Kellen was a presenter and assisted with the Q&A session for this year’s two-day event, which were integral to the program’s success.
Kellen holds a Bachelor of Arts in accounting and a Master of Business Administration in finance from the University of Michigan-Flint. He is a member of the Michigan Association of Certified Public Accountants and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
Kellen exemplifies one of the firm’s core values – giving back to the community – by serving on the Yeo & Yeo Foundation Grants Committee, representing the Flint office. He enjoys the grant review process and especially the opportunities to meet individuals at the nonprofit organizations that the Foundation approves for funding.
2021 marked the eighth year of the award.
Yeo & Yeo is proud to recognize Kellen’s role in the firm and his professional commitment to serving our valued clients.