Four Sikich Leaders Honored on Forbes’ Inaugural Best-in-State CPAs List

CHICAGO – April 15, 2025 – Sikich, a Chicago-based leading global technology-enabled professional services company, announced that four of its leaders have been honored on Forbes’ Inaugural Best-in-State CPAs list. This recognition highlights the most exceptional practicing CPAs across America who have earned the respect of their peers and demonstrated outstanding expertise in their specializations while upholding the highest standards of integrity and service. 

Those selected include: 

• Cassandra Crist, CPA, has spent two decades advancing employee benefit plan auditing across major markets and helps lead a practice overseeing 800+ benefit plans, combining technical expertise with a strong client focus. She also champions initiatives like the Sikich Women’s Empowerment Circle, has led a nationwide coalition of accounting firms supporting Alzheimer’s care and research and is a member of the USO Accountants Salute the Troops Council. 
• Melinda DeCorte, CPA, CGFM, CFE, PMP, serves on the Sikich Board of Managers and plays a critical role in quality assurance for financial statement audits conducted in accordance with government auditing standards. Before her career in public accounting, DeCorte served as a commissioned officer in the United States Army, Finance Corps. She was recently named president-elect of the AGA (formerly referred to as the Association of Government Accountants). 
• Richard Lynch, CPA, serves on the Sikich Board of Managers. As a managing principal, he oversees operational structure and guides the strategic vision for the company’s accounting, tax and wealth management services. Deeply committed to community impact, Lynch has served as board treasurer for the Illinois Symphony Orchestra, is past chair of Leadership Springfield and is a board member of Community Child Care Connection. 
• Karen Sanchez, CPA, QPA, leads the employee benefit plan audit and retirement plan compliance practices at Sikich. She provides retirement and welfare plan audit and consulting services to for-profit business, not-for-profits and government organizations. Sanchez is an active member of the AICPA, the Illinois CPA Society and the American Society of Pension Actuaries and is committed to advancing industry standards and mentoring emerging professionals. 

Forbes developed a rigorous methodology to identify and vet candidates for this recognition, soliciting recommendations from the wider business community and evaluating nominees on criteria such as career achievement, technical expertise, thought leadership, service to the community and contributions to the profession. 

“We take great pride in our leaders, who set the standard for excellence in their fields,” said Sikich Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Christopher Geier. “Cassie, Karen, Melinda and Richard have spent their careers dedicated to their professions and their communities, and that not only contributes to a strong company culture, but that level of commitment and excellence enhances the value we deliver to our clients.” 

For a full list of this year’s Forbes’ Best-in-State CPA winners, visit Forbes’ website.  

About Sikich  

Sikich is a Chicago-based global company specializing in technology-enabled professional services. With approximately 2,000 employees, Sikich draws on a diverse portfolio of technology solutions to deliver transformative digital strategies. From corporations and not-for-profits to state and local governments and federal agencies, Sikich clients utilize a broad spectrum of services and products to help them improve performance and achieve long-term, strategic goals.  
 

Sikich practices in an alternative practice structure in accordance with the AICPA Professional Code of Conduct and applicable law, regulations, and professional standards. Sikich CPA LLC is a licensed CPA firm that provides audit and attest services to its clients, and Sikich LLC and its subsidiaries provide tax and business advisory services to its clients. Sikich CPA LLC has a contractual arrangement with Sikich LLC under which Sikich LLC supports Sikich CPA LLC’s performance of its professional services. Sikich LLC and its subsidiaries are not licensed CPA firms. 

“Sikich” is the brand name under which Sikich CPA LLC and Sikich LLC provide professional services. The entities under the Sikich brand are independently owned and are not liable for the services provided by any other entity providing services under the Sikich brand. The use of the terms “our company”, “we” and “us” and other similar terms denote the alternative practice structure of Sikich CPA LLC and Sikich LLC.   

###