Richard is a Magna Cum Laude graduate of Georgia Southern University. Richard joined the firm as the partner in charge of accounting and auditing in January 2006. Prior to joining the firm, Richard was a founding partner in the firm of Franklin, Mikell & Deal, LLP, which was established in January 1999. Prior to starting this firm, Richard’s professional career included four years with the international accounting firm of Touche, Ross & Co. in their Jacksonville, Florida office, and he served as Audit Manager with the firm of Dabbs, Hickman, Hill & Cannon, LLP from 1989 to 1998. Richard’s responsibilities and areas of expertise include supervising and reviewing the firm’s audit, review, and compilation engagements, monitoring the firm’s quality control practices, and providing specialized accounting services. Richard is highly qualified in providing accounting and auditing services to governments, nonprofit organizations, and various other corporate entities. Richard also has experience in forensic accounting that includes the investigation of fraud and embezzlement related to governments and other entities.

Richard is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Georgia Society of Certified Public Accountants, Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, and Georgia Government Finance Officers Association. Richard’s community services include serving on the board of directors of Fostering Bulloch and on the advisory board for the Adrian Peterson Foundation.  He has served as the president and treasurer of the Statesboro High School Quarterback Club, treasurer for the Joseph’s Home for Boys and the Exchange Club of Statesboro, and as a director of the Statesboro/Bulloch County Chamber of Commerce. He has also served as treasurer and secretary for the local camp of Gideons International, Inc., a Christian and professional men’s organization. He is a 1992 graduate of Leadership Bulloch, and a 2007 recipient of the Dean Day Smith Service to Mankind Award. Richard is active in his local church and has served as a deacon, Sunday School teacher, and member of the board of trustees.  He has also served as Sunday School Director and Chairman of the deacons. Richard is a native of Bulloch County and has practiced accounting in Statesboro for over twenty-six years. Richard is married to Lori Jones Deal, also a native of Bulloch County, and they have one son, Rick, who is a Georgia Southern University accounting graduate also.