STEPHEN C. RIGGS

CPA/PARTNER, CRI ADVISORS, DESTIN

Riggs is a co-founder of Carr, Riggs & Ingram, a CPA and consulting firm with more than 2,450 partners and staff in many states and more than 400 partners and staff in Florida, making it the largest CPA and consulting firm in Northwest Florida. He has served for eight years on the Florida Board of Accountancy and speaks regularly at a local high school and to accounting students at the University of West Florida. “I strongly encourage students to pursue as much education as they can get and to work very hard,” he says. “Success comes to those who are educated and work harder than the next person.”

EDUCATION: University of West Florida (BA)

FIRST JOB: My first job was as an IRS agent in Jacksonville. I worked for the IRS for four years right after college.

DREAM ALTERNATE CAREER: Had I not entered the accounting profession, I would have worked full time in real estate.

HOBBY: I love history and archaeology and subscribe to many related publications. I also travel mainly to Europe and enjoy visiting historical sites. We must study history and try to avoid mistakes made by those who have preceded us.