Ben Watkins Receives Outstanding Alumnus Award from the University of Memphis Fogelman College of Business and Economics Alumni Chapter

Memphis, TN—Ben Watkins, CPA, CMPA, Member of Watkins Uiberall, PLLC Certified Public Accountants, was recently announced as the 2009 recipient of the Outstanding Alumnus Award by the University of Memphis Fogelman College of Business and Economics (FCBE) Alumni Chapter.

Watkins, a 1978 graduate of the FCBE, was chosen for the award in recognition of his contributions to the college and the local community. In particular, he is heavily involved in fundraising for the college, including selling tables to various luncheons and events and setting up teams for the FCBE Alumni Chapter’s golf tournament. In addition, Watkins serves on the University of Memphis School of Accountancy Advisory Board for Director Dr. Carolyn Callahan. The Outstanding Alumnus Award is the highest honor the FCBE and Alumni Chapter bestows on its alumni. Watkins will officially be presented the award at the Alumni Day awards luncheon, held on October 28, 2009 at the Holiday Inn, University of Memphis.

“I am very proud of this award, and I greatly appreciate the Fogelman College of Business and the Alumni Chapter for their recognition of my service,” said Watkins. “The FCBE has not only been instrumental in my professional development and success, but Watkins Uiberall has also benefitted from the extraordinary talent produced by the college over the years. As a result, I feel it is my duty to give something back whenever and however possible.”

Watkins joined Watkins Uiberall in 1988. As the member-in-charge of the firm’s Healthcare Group and Plan Administration and Consulting (PAC), he oversees all of Watkins Uiberall’s healthcare and pension-related engagements. Watkins concentrates his practice on healthcare assurance and accounting services, and he works with both for-profit and not-for-profit organizations.

Beyond his involvement with the FCBE Alumni Chapter, Watkins is a member of numerous professional organizations, including the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), Tennessee Society of CPAs (TSCPA), BKR International Healthcare Consulting Committee, Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA), Mid-South Medical Group Management Association (MS-MGMA), Comprehensive Medical Practice Analysis, Tennessee Association of the Homes and Services for the Aging (TNAHSA), Tennessee Hospital Association (THA) and Affiliated Healthcare Advisors (AHA). Watkins currently resides in Germantown, Tennessee.

Watkins Uiberall has been providing reputable accounting and business consulting services in the Mid-South since 1971. As one of the largest locally-owned certified public accounting firms in Memphis, the firm employs over 60 individuals, including 9 partners and 40 professionals. Through its affiliated companies, Plan Administration Consulting, LLC and Watkins Uiberall Healthcare Consulting Group, LLC, the firm goes beyond the traditional services of tax accounting and auditing by offering clients extended services such as retirement plan administration and healthcare-focused business advisory and consulting services. For more information on the firm, please visit www.wucpas.com.