Sam joined Brady Ware as a partner in January 2006. He leads the firm’s Dealership Services team, collaborating with dealers to optimize their tax strategies, streamline financial processes, and enhance profitability. Sam’s expertise also extends to other industries, such as construction, real estate, manufacturing, and professional services. He specializes in overall tax, audit, and strategic planning initiatives to help his clients realize their financial goals.
Sam’s CPA expertise and business acumen produces a well-rounded perspective on financial matters. Through a comprehensive approach to financial operations, Sam provides clients with high-level insights balanced with client-centric realities to properly help business owners achieve their goals.
Beyond his professional expertise, Sam is part of the firm’s leadership and contributes to overall firm strategies, operations, and growth for both the firm and its staff. Recently, Sam helped the firm focus on updating numerous processes and procedures to handle the leadership transition and go-to-market strategies. He has also worked on reshaping Brady Ware’s forward-thinking focus, prioritizing key vendor, and consultant relationships.
In 2025, Sam was named as one of Central Ohio’s Smart 50 by SmartBusiness.
Background
Sam began in 1993 and achieved CPA certification in 1994. He gained experience for 10 years at both local and regional firms as well as establishing his own consulting firm. In 2006, he joined Brady Ware through a merger.
Education
- Youngstown State University, Bachelor’s degree in Accounting
Professional Affiliations
- Association for Corporate Growth (ACG)
- Construction Financial Management Association (CFMA)
- Builder’s Exchange of Central Ohio (BX)
- Independent Member of BDO Alliance, USA
- Ohio Automobile Dealers Association (OADA)
- Columbus Automobile Dealers Association (CADA)
- Greater Cincinnati Automobile Dealers Association (GCADA)
- Georgia Automobile Dealers Association (GADA)
- Automobile Dealers Association of Indiana (ADAI)
Professional Certifications
- Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Ohio
Presentations
September 2025: Smart Business Dealmakers Conference, Moderator, “Protecting the Buy-Side: Smarter Risk Strategies for M&A Success”
September 2024: Smart Business Dealmakers Conference Panelist, “Navigating M&A Uncertainty”
September 2023: Smart Business Dealmakers Conference Panelist, “M&A Strategies for Sellers”
Publications
How to Manage Your Company Through Increasing Inflation and Interest Rates
Smart Business Magazine Columbus, September 6, 2022
How the Pandemic Has Impacted How Companies Do Business
Smart Business Magazine Columbus, October 28, 2020
The Importance of Creating an Annual Budget and Forecast
Smart Business Magazine Columbus, October 28, 2020
Focus on the Short Term in Order to Survive in the Long Term
Smart Business Magazine Columbus, June 22, 2020
What Business Owners Should be Thinking About Ahead of an Exit
Smart Business Magazine Columbus, June 24, 2019
Community Outreach
- NTJC Housing & Development Foundation, Advisory Board
- Columbus Rotary, Member
Insights from Samuel J. Agresti
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