About Us - John M. Leask II CPA/ABV, CVA

Why Choose a Certified Valuation Analyst (CVA) who is also Accredited in Business Valuation (ABV)?

CVA and ABV are elite designations, recognizing advanced knowledge and expertise earned only by a select group of CPAs.  The National Association of Certified Valuation Analysts (NACVA) awards the CVA credential only to certified public accountants following rigorous training, testing and the submission of a case study. NACVA then requires ongoing Continuing Professional Education relating to valuations and litigation support. The AICPA awards the ABV designation under similar conditions.  

About John M. Leask II, CPA/ABV, CVA

Mac Leask is a Certified Valuation Analyst (CVA) and is licensed to practice as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in both Connecticut and New York.  He was managing principal of Leask & Leask PC as it grew to be one of region’s most respected accounting firms.  While a principal in Leask and Leask, Mac was Director of Audit & Accounting Services and then Director, Business Consulting and Valuation Services.  After the merger of Leask & Leask with BlumShapiro in November 2005, Mac formed John M. Leask II CPA, LLC to continue his concentration in Business Valuation Services -- free of the issues now raised by Sarbanes-Oxley. Because Mac has 30 years of experience in auditing, advising and valuing businesses, as well as 25 years managing and growing a successful accounting firm, he can blend his practical knowledge of business operation with the theory of valuation.  He has honed an approach that combines valuation theory with deep practical experience. A magna cum laude graduate of Bryant College, Mac is a member of the National Association of Certified Valuation Analysts (NACVA) and a CPA who is Accredited in Business Valuation (ABV), the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), the Connecticut Society of Certified Public Accountants (CSCPA), the New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants. Mac has been recognized by the AICPA, the Trustees of the Rotary Foundation, the CSCPA and others for his service to the community.  A long-time Rotarian, Mac is actively committed to community service and has held a number of board positions with several local non-profit organizations.  

Sarbanes-Oxley Issues

Due to the increasingly restrictive conflict of interest rules resulting from Sarbanes-Oxley regulations, accounting and auditing firms increasingly find the need to separate themselves from a variety of consulting services -- including business valuations. When valuing a business even the appearance of a conflict of interest can be damaging.  The best way to avoid the appearance of a conflict of interest is to have business valuation services performed by a separate firm that is not providing the client with either audit, review, and compilation (attest) accounting services or tax services. By forming John M. Leask II CPA, LLC, Mac now can continue to provide business valuation services to clients that he would have found it difficult to serve had he remained at an accounting firm that provides attest or tax services. Clearly, business valuations have been the primary focus of Mac’s practice for the several years.  As a separate company not providing attest or tax preparation services, he can perform the same types of valuation services he has in the past -- free of real or apparent conflict of interest issues that could arise for clients if he were part of an accounting, auditing or tax accounting firm.