BDO Alliance USA is among the industry’s largest associations of accounting and professional services firms in more than 900 locations nationwide. In this series, we introduce you to Alliance Member leaders who are making a difference in their firms.
Meet Sarah Belliveau, CPA, President and CEO of BerryDunn.
Headquartered in Portland, Maine, BerryDunn is a national professional services firm providing accounting, tax, and consulting services to businesses, nonprofits, and government agencies. They have been an independent member of the BDO Alliance USA since 2019.
Sarah started at BerryDunn immediately out of college, working her way up through the ranks. She most recently led their Not-For-Profit practice prior to becoming President and CEO in 2021.
Where did you grow up and go to school?
I was born and raised in central Maine. I graduated from the University of Maine, where I played intramural basketball (not well), sang in a choir (even worse), and was a member of the Accounting Society.
How did you decide to go into accounting?
Like many, I entered college without a solid plan of study. In my sophomore year, I looked around my Intro to Accounting 101 class and realized I was one of only a few students who seemed to “get it” and who was genuinely enjoying the class. It felt like I had found my place.
Tell us about BerryDunn. What makes your firm stand out from the rest?
We were founded in 1974 and have been a client-centered, people-first firm with a mission to empower the meaningful growth of our people, clients, and communities. I’m proud that we have been recognized for our efforts in creating a diverse and inclusive workplace, and for our focus on learning, development, and well-being. We often describe ourselves as a collective of 60+ small entrepreneurial businesses operating towards the same goal with the same values. Encouraging our teams to find ways to solve client problems and then supporting them has been tremendously successful over our 50 years. Most of our growth during that time has been organic. We always strive for continuous improvement and being innovative, which can be difficult for a traditional industry like public accounting.
For as long as I can remember, we’ve focused on employee development. It’s been our belief that engaged employees, who are provided opportunities in a healthy, supportive culture, thrive and therefore provide great client service. That is what makes us special.
Tell us about BerryDunn’s involvement in the community.
At BerryDunn, connecting with our communities is a vital part of who we are. From initiatives like our 50 Acts of Caring (to celebrate our 50th anniversary), to our annual United Way drive, to charitable giving, and sponsoring local and regional events, it has always been important to us to support our communities in meaningful ways.
For us, community sponsorships are opportunities to support organizations doing meaningful work. It could be sponsoring a 5K race or a food drive, or donating funds to a local university, animal shelter, or arts organization. These initiatives bring visibility to our firm while providing much needed support to those that need it.
Our community sponsorship strategy aligns with our business, mission, vision, and values. We are intentional about how we budget and spend on sponsorships across different geographies and causes, so we can be better stewards of those investments. We have developed five key areas that are aligned with the broad industries we serve, as well as what's important to us as an organization. Each sponsorship we participate in has ties to one or more of those themes (e.g., health & belonging, education, animal welfare, arts/culture, etc.).
As part of the management team, what are you most proud of?
I am most proud of building a leadership team with the right people over the last three years and then leading that team through a significant shift in organizational structure. My predecessors and our current leadership team have all played a part in building a truly great culture at the firm. We have been fortunate to have been led by people with a vision, from the beginning; if we provide opportunities for learning, growth, and support, we can do amazing things.
If you could go back, what advice would you give your younger self?
Trust your gut. When I haven’t followed my instincts is when things haven't gone well. It is interesting how long it takes us to learn that.
Tell us about your family.
I was raised by a nurse and a teacher with big hearts who taught me how to “pay it forward” long before I had ever heard that expression. My husband, Jim, and I have two sons, aged 18 and 20. They are bright, active, amazing humans who make me laugh (almost) every day. We live in Falmouth, Maine, just north of Portland. Both boys played hockey and other sports so, until recently, our days were quite full. Since becoming empty nesters, the house felt too quiet and clean, so we brought home a Bernese Mountain Dog puppy to resolve that issue!
What do you do in your spare time?
I read, go for walks, spend time with my family, travel, and do New York Times puzzles. We spend a lot of time with my parents at home and at the lake, where Cribbage is the game of choice.
What is on your bucket list?
I love to travel – maybe Scandinavia will be next! I’ve also imagined living in a tiny house near the coast in rural Ireland (or Scotland). I have a small obsession with the idea of a “tiny house” and would love to give it a try.
What would you like to share about your experience with the BDO Alliance USA?
I’ve come to believe peer groups are invaluable and have really appreciated the peer group that I belong to through the BDO Alliance USA. While our firm size and offerings may be different, if you look at the audit and tax practices, we are more alike than not. Being able to share ideas is a tremendous benefit.