Hall, Kistler & Company LLP (Canton) Elects Keith A. Arner Managing Partner

Published on January 31, 2022

Keith Arner

Karen Brenneman

Hall, Kistler & Company LLP, the Certified Public Accounting and Consulting firm based in Jackson Township, is pleased to announce the election of Keith A. Arner, CPA, CVA, to managing partner effective January 1, 2022. Keith becomes the firms' sixth managing partner since its founding in 1941.  As part of the firms ongoing succession plan, previous Managing Partner Karen M. Brenneman, CPA, MT, will remain with the firm as a partner and continue serving our clients.

Keith joined Hall, Kistler & Company in 2002. After beginning as a supervisor, he was promoted to partner in 2006. Keith's audit, tax, and accounting services span over 30 years and currently leads the firm's Oil and Gas Niche.  Keith is also a Certified Valuation Analyst (CVA).

 “Keith has been a great asset to the firm in many ways, including our recent move. I look forward to seeing where he guides the firm with continued strategic growth and innovation so that we can continue to bring value to our clients.”, said Karen.

In the community, Keith has been recognized for his contributions by Stark County’s young professional’s group (YStark!). In addition, he was selected for Stark County’s Twenty Under 40, an award that acknowledges leaders who are committed to making a difference in the lives of others. He is a board member of TomTod Ideas and a member of the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce and Alliance Chamber of Commerce.

Among Keith's professional affiliations are the Ohio Oil and Gas Association (OOGA), where he serves as the audit committee chair, the Southern Ohio Oil and Gas Association (SOOGA), the National Association of Certified Valuation Analysts (NACVA), and the Ohio Society of Certified Public Accountants (OSCPA), as well as the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). Keith earned his Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University of Akron.

Karen has worked with local and regional firms from small to large over the last 30 years and has brought to Hall, Kistler the best aspects of each. She started at Hall, Kistler in 1998, was promoted to partner in 2000 and in 2011, succeeded Michael Eberhart as managing partner. Karen is a tax and financial consultant with our clients and has extensive experience in professional service accounting, real estate, healthcare, and non-profit accounting. She also leads our client accounting services niche.

“In the past ten years, Karen has nurtured a culture that has resulted in our success and growth. Under her leadership and despite the pandemic, we made significant investments in technology, which resulted in HK moving seamlessly to a hybrid work environment. I look forward to  continuing this and many of her other growth initiatives." said Keith

A highly involved community member, Karen has recently been appointed to the Akron-Canton Regional Airport Authority, she is a member of the Canton City Council, a Stark Development Board trustee, vice president of the Central Stark County YMCA, and a founder of Women's Impact. She is past chairwoman of the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce, past president of Canton Rotary and a member of the 15th Class of Leadership Stark County.

Karen earned her Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Masters of Taxation from the University of Akron. She is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), Ohio Society of Certified Public Accountants (OSCPA), and served as chairman for BKR International's America's region.