Mark B. LaPlace, CPA

Senior Director
mlaplace@gbq.com
(614) 947-5258

Mark, originally from Ohio’s “North Coast,” has lived and worked in central Ohio since 1980. A graduate of Cleveland State University, Mark spent 12 years working for Price Waterhouse prior to joining GBQ Partners LLC in 1992.

Mark’s public accounting experience is very diverse. He has served clients in manufacturing, real estate development and management, financial services, retail, professional services and non-profit organizations.

Mark serves as GBQ’s Director of Tax Services. He specializes in tax planning and consulting for middle market and entrepreneurial companies and their owners.  Mark also has considerable experience in providing income and estate tax and financial planning services to high net worth individuals, including significant experience working with professional athletes.

Mark is the 2013 recipient of the Ohio Society of Certified Public Accountants (OSCPA) highest honor: The Gold Medal for Meritorious Service to the Accounting Profession. This prestigious award recognizes one member’s significant contributions to the accounting profession, the OSCPA and is considered a thought leader, both professionally and in Society affairs. Mark was named among Ohio’s Most Influential CPAs in 2010. This award which recognizes CPAs who have had significant, positive influence on the growth and development of the CPA profession and the Ohio Society of Certified Public Accountants.

Mark was the Chair of the Accountancy Board of Ohio (2010 – 2011) and has held several offices as a member of the OSCPA, including Chair of the Board for the 2000-2001 fiscal year and Vice President of the OSCPA’s Executive Committee (1996 – 1998). He is also a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and served for seven years as a member of the AICPA Council. Mark is currently the Chairman of the Board for 535 Metro LLC, a for-profit affiliate of the OSCPA. He currently holds the position of Chairman of the Board of the OSCPA Political Action Committee.

From 2000 – 2006, Mark was a member of the Cultural Arts Facilities Commission. In February 2006, Mark was appointed to the Accountancy Board of Ohio for a six-year term. He has also served as the campaign treasurer for Bob Taft’s successful election to Governor of the State of Ohio in 2002 and 1998 and his successful election to Secretary of State in 1994. Mark has served as treasurer for several Ohio Supreme Court Justice’s campaigns and several Ohio statewide ballot issues.

Mark is a past Chairman of the Board of Governors for the Capital Club and is a member of the Development Board of Nationwide Children’s Hospital of Columbus.

Education

  • Cleveland State University – B.B.A., Accounting

Professional Associations

  • American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Former Council Member
  • The Ohio Society of Certified Public Accountants, Past-Chair
  • 535 Metro LLC, Chairman of the Board
  • Accountancy Board of Ohio, Past-Chair
  • OSCPA Political Action Committee, Chairman of the Board