Glenn Carniello, a Partner and Construction CPA with Eide Bailly, works exclusively with contractors. From his start in public accounting, Glenn knew that the construction industry was where he wanted to be, and he knew these were the people he wanted to serve. Although Glenn’s career began in 1990, his family’s involvement in the construction industry dates back centuries to Europe.
Glenn’s family history and his almost thirty-year involvement in CFMA have been two factors which have been part of the foundation of his involvement with the construction industry.
It runs in the family
Early in his public accounting career, Glenn knew the construction industry was where he wanted to practice as a CPA. Seventy years prior, in 1920, Glenn’s grandfather emigrated from Italy as a contractor at the age of 21. Many of Glenn’s friends’ families were also in the construction industry. He noticed these were good, hard working people who literally helped to build our nation, the facilities and infrastructure we use in our everyday lives. Glenn spent his early years working with contractors in New York City before relocating to California where he continued to serve contractors in the southern California market.
When Glenn arrived on the West Coast, he knew he wanted to find an organization that was solely dedicated to construction financial professionals. As luck would have it, he found CFMA when the organization was only twelve years old and joined immediately. “I wanted to join an organization full of other professionals that are equally as passionate about the industry. People who enjoy working in and around it, making connections along the way,” he says.
The times have changed, but some things never do
Glenn’s involvement with CFMA began years before he joined the board of directors. In the Fall of 1993, Glenn began participating in a variety of CFMA events, including local and national gatherings. While doing so, he connected with some of the key members of the local chapter board, which led to his joining the board himself. “It was a great experience and a valuable part of my career,” Glenn shares.
The annual national conference is one notable example of the benefits members have access to. As Glenn is a Certified Construction Industry Financial Professional, or CCIFP, continuing education credits are required, which can be fulfilled by attending these events. “I went to national conferences to be exposed to technical training as well as meet with other professionals serving our industry. It was also great to see so many familiar faces, including those with whom I spent time with at Spring Creek which is a team building experience for incoming Chapter Presidents. I’m coming up on 25 years of attendance at the National Conferences and looking forward to many more”, Glenn says. “It’s absolutely provided the training and education I need to improve my knowledge base and better serve our clients.” It turns out that Glenn took the CCIFP test the first year it was offered in 2004. Fun fact, Glenn’s CCIFP license is 000025 as he was in the first batch of licensed CCIFPs.
Unfortunately, COVID-19 has thrown a wrench in some of the usual plans, the national conference being one of them. “This year, the national conference was a hybrid model with smaller sites around the country,” Glenn shares. “One of my favorite sessions is presented by Anirban Basu, an economist with CFMA. I’ve also attended numerous other tracks, including accounting, technology, data analytics, and management/consulting.”
Considering who you are, what you do, and the people you serve
There is something to be said for members who haven’t skipped a beat. Glenn has been a member for almost 30 years. Aside from national events, Glenn values and maintains his involvement for the information shared in local chapter meetings, membership appreciation events, online webinars, and the bi-monthly magazine, Building Profits.
“As I started working with contractors, what I found was that the people in the industry are blue collar, salt of the earth, straight shooters who I enjoy working with and serving. Everyone is great,” he says. Additionally, he raves about the quality of the Construction CPAs on his team. “In addition to the quality people we typically find in our industry on the client side, the same is true of the professionals I work alongside with on our Construction Industry Group team” says Glenn. He very much enjoys working with his team and his firm’s clients.
Is community and ongoing education something you’re searching for? Visit the Orange County chapter’s website to get involved and learn more. There’s a place for you at the table.