Kaufman, Rossin appoints a new top principal

Kaufman Rossin the largest accounting firm based in South Florida, has a new managing principal as part of an ongoing succession plan.

Blain Heckaman, who has been a member of the firm’s management committee for seven years, is taking over from founder James Kaufman.

The transition is an example of a professional firm implementing a succession plan while the founder is still in charge.   A stockholder agreement sets a departure age of 65 for future managing principals, but Kaufman is already 76.

“We recognize that Jim Kaufman’s extraordinary vitality and youthful energy may not be matched by every future leader at his age,” the firm said in an emailed statement. “We have therefore put a retirement age of 65 in place for partners in the future, with management discretion to make exceptions.”

Heckaman, 54, is an Indiana native who graduated from Ball State University. He moved to South Florida in 1984 when Kaufman hired him. He has risen through the firm’s audit practice.

Kaufman will remain as chairman and CEO for now.

In an interview, Heckaman said he intends to continue Kaufman, Rossin’s emphasis on providing an “employee first” culture, while also adapting the leadership structure to its larger footprint.