2010 has been a year of recognition for Kent Thomas, named Utah’s financial guru by Utah Business magazine

The year was 1996 when Kent Thomas started CFO Solutions. Little did he realize then just how successful his new business idea would become — providing outsourced accounting and finance services help to businesses throughout Utah.

Now, at the conclusion of 2010 Thomas’ endeavor, CFO Solutions, has grown to include 15 team members. They have worked for nearly 500 companies, from start-ups to firms with $70 million in annual revenues, and raised more than $500 million in equity, debt and lease financing for their clients.

Kent Thomas was named CFO of the Year in 2009 by the Utah Technology Council, and Outstanding CPA in Business and Industry this year by the Utah Association of Certified Public Accountants. He has served in numerous volunteer capacities including executive or advisory roles for the Utah World Trade Center, Grow Utah Ventures, The Wayne Brown Institute, various universities and the Mountain West Capital Network. He functioned as chief executive or chief financial officer/controller of seven different companies between 1984 and 1996 and is a frequent speaker on finance, entrepreneurism, accounting and related topics.

The Advanced CFO Solutions team includes experienced consultants who have more than 300 years of combined experience as controller, CFO, COO or CEO of many companies in a variety of industries including software, software-as-a-service, biotechnology, non-profit, medical device, manufacturing, retail, distribution, franchising, oil and gas, and others. These consultants work with large and small businesses supervising their staff, designing and documenting effective procedures, and accurately recording and forecasting financial information which is then used by management to make informed business decisions.

“We continue to expand our services and staff to meet client needs,” Thomas said. “In light of our progress and all we’re now doing — advising on every aspect of good business fiscal policy and management — we’re revising the name of the firm to Advanced CFO Solutions.”