Cline Brandt Kochenower & Co., P.A. is built on a proud tradition of service, technical expertise, and innovative thinking. Our staff's experience and academic credentials give our clients the depth of knowledge you'll find in a larger firm, while our dedication to superior customer service offers the personal, one-on-one approach smaller firms are known for. We hope you'll take a few minutes to get acquainted with our staff!

Ben D. Kochenower CPA, CFE, CVA Ben is Chief Executive Officer of the firm. He joined CBK in 1975, after spending three years in middle Tennessee with a small regional CPA firm. Ben is in charge of the audit department which includes auditing and compilation and review of financial statements. He works with governmental, non-profit and commercial accounts in providing management services and accounting systems review and design. Ben has extensive experience in government and non-profit audits, including various federal and state assisted programs. Ben is a member of the Government Finance Officers Association of South Carolina and has obtained the Certificate of Educational Achievement in Governmental Accounting and Auditing. Ben holds licenses in South Carolina and Tennesee, and he is also a Certified Fraud Examiner and a Certified Valuation Analyst.
Steven L. Blake CPA, CFE Steve Blake joined the firm in May, 1983. Steve is primarily responsible for attestation, training and single audits. He is an honor graduate of Southern College with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting. He is a member of the Special Review Committee of the Government Financial Officers Association, for which he reviews comprehensive annual financial reports for the Certificate of Achievement Program. Steve has extensive experience with audits of State and local governmental entities, agencies of State and local government, non-profit entities, colleges and universities, federal and state grant programs, preparing Comprehensive Annual Financial Reports and advising management on corrective action plans to meet federal guidelines. In working in these areas Steve has gained the necessary depth of knowledge to have been granted the Certificate of Educational Achievement in Governmental Accounting bestowed by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Steve is also a member of the Government Finance Officers Association of South Carolina. Steve works with governmental and non-profit clients in providing attestation and training services. Steve holds CPA licenses in Massachusetts and Maryland as well as South Carolina, and he is also a Certified Fraud Examiner.
Timothy S. Blake CPA Tim joined the firm in August, 1992.  Tim is the Tax Manager of the firm.  He is a graduate of Southern College with a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree in Accounting.  Tim has extensive experience in the various tax areas including tax preparation and planning in corporate tax, individual tax, partnership tax, estate tax, fiduciary tax and non-profit tax.  He represents clients in dealings with the Internal Revenue Service and various state agencies.  He also has experience with profit sharing plan administration and accounting, probate court filings and compilation and review of financial statements.  Tim holds a license in South Carolina.