Local certified public accountant Thomas “Tom” G. Prothro. Courtesy

Local certified public accountant Thomas “Tom” G. Prothro has been appointed to lead the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy.

Prothro is a CPA and managing partner of Prothro, Wilhelmi and Company PLLC, a Tyler firm he founded in 1992.

“For a CPA from a local firm in East Texas, it’s just a real honor,” Prothro said Friday of being appointed by Gov. Rick Perry to serve as chairman of the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy. “I never expected to be named chairman coming from such a … small market.

“That’s really exciting to me; I can kind of bring the thoughts and concerns of smaller CPA firms to the board. That’s important to me. And just to get the chance to give back to the profession is really exciting.”

Prothro, 55, has served on the board four years of his six-year term. He said how long he will serve as chairman will be at the governor’s discretion, but it is usually for two years. As chairman, he will lead the board meetings and the swearing in ceremonies of new CPAs twice a year, which he said is a real honor.

The board regulates public accountants and administers the CPA exam in Texas.

There are 15 board members, and to be around “14 other top notch professionals is wonderful to me,” Prothro said.

Tyler Mayor Barbara Bass was instrumental in getting him on the board four years ago, he said, adding that she is a great friend and inspiration. Every two years there are five new board members appointed by the governor and Mayor Bass asked him if he was interested in serving. She is heavily involved in the Texas Society of CPAs, which promotes CPAs in Texas, he said.

Serving as chairman of the board is a huge time commitment, Prothro said, thanking his partners Bob Roseman and Walter Wilhelmi for allowing him to do it.

“It’s such a great honor … it’s something that I never would have thought would happen to me,” Prothro said.

Citing a phrase he said he uses frequently at the board meetings, “It’s the best gig I have ever had.”

Prothro is a member of the Texas Society of CPAs and its East Texas Chapter, as well as the American Institute of CPAs. He is past president of the Tyler-Rose City Kiwanis Club; and a member of UT Health Northeast Development Board, City of Tyler Tax Abatement Committee and Leadership Tyler. He received a bachelor’s degree from The University of Texas at Austin.

Earlier this year, Prothro earned the Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy professional designation from the Richard D. Irwin Graduate School of The American College. The program provides professionals in the nonprofit and financial services fields with the tools needed to help clients reach their charitable giving objectives, while also helping them meet their estate planning and wealth management goals.

Prothro, Wilhelmi and Company PLLC includes financial statement audits of businesses, not-for-profits and other entities. Prothro works with individuals, corporations, partnerships and fiduciaries in preparation of income tax returns and related planning. He also provides computer hardware and software consulting services.