Community Commitment through Government Accounting

How CKH Group became the state of Georgia’s fastest-growing government accounting contractor

CKH Group is one of the fastest-growing government accounting contractors in the state of Georgia, providing assurance and accounting services to more than 70 municipalities and counties across the southeastern United States.

But growth like that does not happen by accident.

At CKH Group, the story traces back to one defining principle: community.

“When we first broke into the government space, we had a new Head of Business Development, Roger Nixon, a military veteran with a keen understanding of the government space. It was not an area that CKH Group had worked in before, but when he identified it as an opportunity, we were curious to explore it,” explains Nick Catrakilis, Executive Chairman of CKH Group.

What began as a strategic expansion quickly evolved into something far more personal.

The Importance of Annual Financial Statement Audits for Local Governments

Many people do not realize that local governments such as the towns and cities in Georgia cannot receive certain state or federal grants without a completed annual financial statement audit. Most states have similar requirements and thresholds, and these audits serve as a critical system of checks and balances, ensuring accountability and transparency across government entities.

For smaller municipalities, however, this requirement often becomes a serious barrier. Government assurance services require specialized expertise, and there are relatively few CPA firms equipped or willing to perform them, giving municipalities a limited set of options when it comes to price and quality. In addition, larger firms often prioritize higher-revenue engagements, leaving smaller cities without any viable options. The result is a cycle of delinquency seen across the United States: municipalities cannot afford support to get their books back on track or perform the audit, remain out of compliance, lose access to funding, and face increasing budget constraints. In many cases, cities fall behind not by one year, but by several.

“As a business full of people living in Georgia and directly impacted by this – we immediately knew what we had to do. It wasn’t just a business opportunity anymore, it was a chance to lift up our communities,” adds Roger Nixon.

That mindset resonated deeply with CKH Group’s growing team of military veterans in business development, where service, accountability, and community impact their core values.

CKH Group’s Response

CKH Group responded with a grassroots effort rarely seen in professional services. The team physically traveled to all 535 cities and 159 counties across the state of Georgia, meeting directly with clerks, mayors, and local government officials to understand their challenges. They asked difficult but necessary questions, identified municipalities behind on audits or their bookkeeping, and worked closely with CKH leadership to develop pricing structures and delivery models that aligned with complex projects, limited budgets, or urgent needs.

The effort did not stop there. CKH Group committed to showing up consistently, attending conferences, meetings, and events that connected them with local government leaders. They opened a new office in middle Georga located in Hawkinsville, GA to grant better access to the entirety of the state. They became an approved GSA Contractor. They expanded their team of government accountants and ceaselessly searched for ways to improve.

The goal was simple but ambitious: help municipalities regain compliance, restore access to funding, and rebuild trust in their financial reporting by showing that CKH truly cares.

The response was overwhelming, and the results spoke for themselves.

Local Success Story

One such success story is the City of Homerville, Georgia. City Clerk Samantha Rittenhouse describes the impact of CKH Group’s work:

“When I first stepped into my role as city clerk, I discovered the audits were way behind and had not been completed since 2019. We could not get any grants, loans, or any assistance of any kind due to the status of the financial audits. I was in a panic. There was too much for only one person to be able to try and catch up on. I was very discouraged and at a loss for a solution until CKH Group knocked on my door.

After 18 months of hard work, the CKH group team and myself were able to have all of the past due audits completely caught up to date. The administrative hold was taken off our grants and the city was back in compliance. I was thrilled to say the least. Not only did CKH help get the financials back in order, they also trained me how to do my job correctly. Hard work pays off. I was appointed as the new city manager for the City of Homerville in January of 2025. In March of 2025 I was able to receive the city’s first grant. This was a huge victory for our small town.

Our city was blessed to have the CKH team and I am forever grateful for their help and guidance. I could not have had this success story without them!”
– Samantha Rittenhouse

Stories like Homerville’s explain why CKH Group has grown so rapidly in the government space. These are complex, time-intensive projects that require patience, technical expertise, and a willingness to rebuild systems from the ground up. Not every CPA firm is equipped or willing to take that on.

“These aren’t always easy projects with easy solutions,” Eon van Wyk, Audit Partner of CKH Group explains. “Sometimes it’s hours of scanning documents, battling with outdated accounting software, or chasing invoices. But at the end of the day, we know that the work we do means a city or county near us can improve. That is why we do it; it is a challenge, but it is a good challenge.”

An Ongoing Commitment to the Community

CKH Group’s success is driven by the strength of its people, including government audit leaders like Stephné Kukard and Kyle Heyl, and the teams that support them behind the scenes. Their work ensures that municipalities are not just brought back into compliance, but equipped with the knowledge and processes needed to stay there.

Today, CKH Group continues to expand its commitment to local governments. Beyond audits and accounting, the firm hosts CPE courses tailored to municipal needs, covering topics such as audit readiness, bank reconciliation, payroll reporting, and month-end close processes.

At its core, CKH Group’s growth is not measured solely by numbers or contracts. It is measured by cities restored to compliance, funding unlocked for critical infrastructure, and public servants empowered to succeed. This is what happens when a firm chooses to lead with service, show up consistently, and invest deeply in the communities it calls home.

For information about CKH Group’s government accounting services or to notify CKH of an upcoming RFP, please check out their government contracting page or contact CKH directly.

The above article only intends to provide general financial information and is based on open-source facts, it is not designed to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. It does not give personalized tax, financial, or other business and professional advice. Before taking any form of action, you should consult a financial professional who understands your particular situation. CKH Group will not be held liable for any harm/errors/claims arising from the articles. Whilst every effort has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the contents, we will not be held accountable for any changes that are beyond our control.