Forty Under 40: Ricky Beauchamp

Fort Smith native Ricky Beauchamp may be rare for a CPA in that he’s an extrovert. He also has an entrepreneurial mindset and likes challenges — and these qualities help him strategize and problem solve with his clients when they face a myriad of financial decisions.

After Beauchamp graduated from the University of Arkansas in 2008 with an accounting degree and a minor in logistics, he co-founded an internet advertising startup. Collegetokens.com made coupons for students via text, and college towns across the nation sold the service.

It wasn’t a long-term financial success, but Beauchamp saw the company gain national notoriety. He learned about building a platform, making cold sales calls, managing his time, overseeing interns working in multiple states, and pitching ideas to angel investors.

Beauchamp then took a job with Norris Taylor & Co. and passed the CPA exam. He became a partner at age 34. He’s helped to grow and retain the company’s client base and is a lead auditor for several large corporate clients.

He also co-founded a real estate firm that owns rental properties in the Fort Smith area.

Additionally, Beauchamp co-founded the Peacemaker Music Festival, now in its sixth year on the banks of the Arkansas River in Fort Smith. All proceeds go to local charities, benefiting primarily children, and the event has a multimillion-dollar impact on the economy.

For six years, he has been a board member for both the Reynolds Cancer Support House and Bost Inc., which serves people in the region who have developmental and other disabilities. He often donates his accounting services to community organizations, and he serves as secretary for the Fort Smith Hunting and Fishing Club.