Shaun M. Davis, newly elected Urban League of Broward Board Chairman
Davis is no stranger to community involvement, having contributed his efforts in a variety of civic organizations.
By Charles Moseley
Over the past 25 years, Shaun M. Davis has established himself as head of one of South Florida’s most reputable accounting firms, S. Davis & Associates, Inc.
In addition, Davis has developed a reputation as having a strong commitment to community service. Most recently, Davis was elected to serve as Board Chair for the Urban League of Broward County (ULBC), furthering his legacy as a proponent for social and economic equality, in South Florida’s African American community.
Davis was elected by the ULBC’s Board of Directors. Be-fore becoming the chair, he served as first vice chair for two years and second vice chair for two years, as well as the audit chair for a few years, so he is very familiar with the organization’s operations.
Shaun M. Davis, newly elected Urban League of Broward Board Chairman
“His position has oversight to the Board of Directors and ensures the proper governance of organization policies, fiscal accountability of the organization’s finances, fundraising and executive evaluation and engagement. Davis’ role is also to lead us in pursuit of our vision: We will be a catalyst for change in Broward County and one of the best human service organizations in the State of Florida,” said ULBC President Dr. Germaine Smith-Baugh.
Davis’s unique value is that he’s an entrepreneur. He understands clearly the challenges of running a business that is solely dependent on the leadership’s ingenuity and hustle and is well connected not only in the business community but also in the civic community. Davis will also help the other board members connect their businesses with their civic engagement work, thereby expanding the reach of our organizations. At the Urban League of Broward County, we create a fair shot at success for thousands of people, and Davis is leading us in breaking the cycle of poverty through pro-grams that impact the lives of more than 7,000 people every year,” added Dr. Baugh.
Davis serves as Managing Partner of S. Davis & Associates, P.A. (SD&A) and has over 25 years of experience in the public accounting industry. SD&A is a firm with national resources that provides a variety of financial and business services. His passion resides in the firm’s philosophy to deliver the utmost quality and most responsive service possible to each and every client.
Davis began his career with Deloitte Haskins & Sells (now Deloitte & Touché) as a Senior Accountant and has also worked with Ernst & Young as an Audit Manager. With a vision and drive to start his own accounting firm, he set out in 1991 to establish SD&A. His business prowess has allowed what was once a one-man accounting firm, to flourish into one of the largest minority-owned CPA firms in the Southeast United States.
He is no stranger to community involvement, having contributed his efforts in a variety of civic organizations including: Junior Achievement Worldwide, United Way of Broward County, Girl Scouts of Tropical South, Florida Kids in Distress, Volunteer Broward, and a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
He has three beautiful children with his wife of 26 years. Their eldest son followed in their footsteps to also become a Certified Public Accountant. During his free time, he enjoys basketball, racquetball, and traveling.
Davis recently granted the Westside Gazette an opportunity to share some insight on the ULBC’s new Board Chair as he discussed his career and personal views as a community leader in South Florida.
Westside Gazette (WG): – I don’t believe you’re from South Florida. Share if you will a little about your back-ground personally and professionally?
Shaun Davis (SD): I was born and raised in Mount Vernon, N.Y. I attended Florida State University and received my Bachelors’ degree in accounting in 1983. Upon graduation, I worked for Deloitte, Haskins & Sells in Miami where I started as a staff accountant and left as an experienced senior auditor. I went on from there to Ernst & Young as an audit manager. In 1991, I opened my own firm, Shaun M. Davis, CPA, as a sole proprietor. As the firm grew with more accountants and my wife joining as an additional CPA, I incorporated as S. Davis & Associates, P.A, in 1997.
WG: What led to your choice of a career in accounting?
SD: I always had a passion for numbers and math, and I was good in analytics, so when my father made the suggestion that I should go into the accounting field, I thought it would be a good fit.
WG: What has been your greatest challenge professionally from an entrepreneurial perspective?
SD: The greatest challenge, lately, is being able to find good, qualified, professionals who have similar goals, aspirations, and work ethics.
WG: What would you consider your proudest moment professionally?
SD: My proudest moments were when I obtained my CPA license and I was appointed to the Florida Board of Accountancy which regulates CPA’s in Florida, where I served as chair.
WG: Who have you ad-mired or who has inspired you most throughout your life?
SD: My parents. They were raised with humble beginnings and worked at making a better life for my brother and me. They taught me the value of a good education coupled with hard work and were always encouraging and proud of my achievements, both, large and small.
WG: What are your keys to being successful in business?
SD: Hard work, tenacity, drive, and perseverance.
WG: As the new board chair of the Urban League of Broward County, under your leadership, what areas do you see the organization progressing regarding its impact on the local African American Community?
SD: Providing opportunities to African American businesses and providing jobs and housing to those that are in need: We need to get the word out about the fine job the Urban League is doing in our community and continue to build support.
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