We are a firm led by CPAs that concentrates our combined 50 years of government, credit union, and other not-for-profit organization experience with attention that only a niche-focused firm can provide. Our clients come back to us year after year and recommend us to their colleagues because they know they are in good hands. Whether you need a little help or a lot, we can assist you with customized, cost-effective service solutions specific to your organization.
Please take a moment and read more about our people,and our credentials. If you have any questions or would like more detailed information about how we can help you, don’t hesitate to contact us. We are happy to assist you!
Our People
Joel Martin, CPA – Managing Partner
“After 25 years in the industry, it has become my passion to help school districts, as well as local governments, understand best practices for their accounting departments, in order to make them as efficient as possible to serve their residents.”
Joel Martin, a graduate of Geneva College, is the Managing Partner at J. Martin & Associates, LLC, leading and overseeing the Firm’s practice areas. Prior to his founding of J. Martin & Associates, LLC, he served nearly 15 years as a Partner at Cottrill Arbutina and Associates, PC, and as a result of a merger, transitioned into the role of Partner at H2R CPA. Joel has managed hundreds of attest audits, single audits, and consulting contracts for Western Pennsylvania public school districts, charter schools, municipalities, tax collectors, and not-for-profit organizations. He is a sought-after expert in school district and charter school business office administrative office operations.
Joel currently helps school districts, and local government clients formulate best practices for accounting departments. He explores ways to integrate a variety of staffing structures, as well as identifying in-efficiencies in various areas of accounting design. Joel enjoys “thinking outside the traditional box” to help many local governments work together to accomplish their accounting objectives. Joel and his Firm provide top level, government accounting assistance, as well as day to day accounting management, in order to create synergies with multiple governments and school districts who desire a very efficient accounting practices.
Joel shares his sought-after expertise at industry seminars and associations. He has spoken for the Pennsylvania Association of School Business Officials (PASBO) and at seminars sponsored by Cottrill Arbutina on topics such as GASB 34 and real estate tax audits. He also frequently speaks to school and municipality boards regarding the latest accounting standards and the financial impacts they present.
Joel is a member of the American and Pennsylvania Institutes of CPAs. He and his wife, Tammie, and six children live in Industry, Pennsylvania. A transplant from Phoenix, Arizona, Joel can often be found late at night watching his beloved West Coast sports teams.
Michele Renz, CPA – Administrative Partner
“I’m most satisfied when I know that I have helped a client solve a problem or improve business processes.”
In addition to her role as Partner for the Firm’s credit union and not-for-profit clients, Michele Renz is the Administrative Partner at J. Martin & Associates, LLC. She provides traditional attest and internal auditing services as well specialized regulatory compliance and consulting services to the credit union industry and other not-for-profits.
Michele has been a frequent guest speaker and participant in events hosted by various chapters of the Pennsylvania Credit Union Association. She previously served as the supervisory committee chairperson and treasurer of Cornerstone Credit Union in Freeport, Illinois. She is a founding board member and the current Treasurer of Neighborhood North: Museum of Play, a children’s museum in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania.
Prior to her work with Cottrill Arbutina, Michele was an auditor with PricewaterhouseCoopers where she served clients in the financial, manufacturing, engineering, and retail industries. She later served as a senior accountant with Honeywell International. Michele is a graduate of Indiana University of Pennsylvania and member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA).
A resident of Beaver, Pennsylvania, Michele and her husband David have two children, Luke and Leah, and a pet cockapoo, Lacy. Michele is an avid Pittsburgh Penguins fan and enjoys bike riding, reading, spending time outdoors, and family travel.
Chad Agnew – Partner
“I enjoy the professional relationships with my coworkers and clients. I am most satisfied when clients express their understanding of the value our work brings to their organization.”
Prior to his role of Partner at J. Martin & Associates, LLC, Chad Agnew worked 15 years as a project manager at Cottrill Arbutina & Associates, LLC and H2R CPA. Chad specializes in audit and accounting services for school districts, municipalities, and other governmental and non-profit entities. Having managed hundreds of audits for clients, he is viewed by his co-workers and professional contacts as a highly respected advisor.
A graduate of Geneva College, Chad holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.
Originally from New Brighton, Pennsylvania, Chad and his wife, Alison, are residents of Darlington, Pennsylvania, and they have four children. He is an avid baseball fan and his hobbies include golf and watching his beloved Pittsburgh sports teams.
Our Credentials
Our firm participates in the Peer Review program prescribed by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants. We are members of the AICPA Government Audit Quality Center.
