PYA is honored to announce President and Chief Executive Officer Marty Brown has been named the 2025 CPA of the Year by the Tennessee Society of Certified Public Accountants (TSCPA).
The award recognizes a CPA who has made outstanding contributions toward the advancement of the accounting profession. The announcement was made during the TSCPA annual convention in Chattanooga on June 11.
Brown is recognized for his values-driven leadership style, focus on relationship-building, entrepreneurial spirit, and business acumen that have elevated PYA to national prominence, strengthened the firm’s culture of Serve to Solve, and advanced the profession at the college and professional levels.
In a brief video prepared by TSCPA, Brown’s colleagues shared perspectives on his leadership, values, and compassion.
“Marty’s dedication to the profession mirrors his dedication to everything he prioritizes,” said David McMillan, PYA Managing Principal of Consulting and Chief Financial Officer. “Every day, Marty leads in a genuine, authentic manner. He deeply cares for our firm, our teammates, our clients, and this profession, and that care and devotion are apparent to all those who know him. On behalf of all PYA employees, I heartily congratulate Marty on this prestigious and well-deserved honor.”
Brown is leading PYA through a planned growth trajectory. Founded in Knoxville in 1983, PYA has expanded to six cities across the country, including a thriving office in Nashville, recently named a Best Place to Work. Similarly, the Knoxville office has received Top Workplace accolades six times, based on employee feedback about the firm’s leaders and culture.
Through Brown’s leadership, PYA empowers the next generation of accountants with a robust internship program and through longtime support of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Haslam College of Business. Brown serves on the college’s Accounting and Information Management Roundtable and frequently speaks in classes and symposia.
The firm also supports established professionals through thought leadership and professional development, including significant investment in providing complimentary webinars, insights, and resources for colleagues, clients, and the public.
“I’m deeply humbled by the TSCPA award and honored to lead this firm of dedicated and engaged people,” Brown said. “Although PYA is a national firm, we’ve never forgotten our Tennessee heritage. We are deeply rooted in serving our clients, each other, and the profession.”
A certified public accountant, Brown joined PYA in 1991 and served as Managing Principal of Consulting Services from 2006-2019, when he was named CEO. In 2024, Forbes named Brown a Top 200 CPA in America. His entrepreneurial spirit has elevated the profession through founding start-ups and supporting entrepreneurs.
Brown is a 1985 graduate of the Haslam College of Business and serves numerous state and national philanthropic and leadership organizations. He has helped catapult PYA to national recognition from Accounting Today, USA TODAY, INSIDE Public Accounting, and Modern Healthcare.
