William R. (Billy) Hickman, Jr. CPA, CFF, known as Billy among his colleagues, joined the firm currently known as Dabbs, Hickman Hill & Cannon, LLP in 1974. By 1983 he became a partner, and served as managing partner from 1998 through 2008. Billy holds licenses as a CPA in Georgia, South Carolina and Florida. Additionally, he is licensed and certified by the AICPA in Financial Forensics.
In response to the proliferation of fraud in businesses, both in type and sophistication, the firm has ramped up its Forensics practice under Mr. Hickman's direction. His passion and expertise in this area bring tangible value in fraud prevention and detection to the firm's clients.
His managerial responsibilities are undergirded by wide ranging expertise including individual and corporate taxation, litigation support, and small business planning. He has served as a Chapter 11 Examiner in the District of South Carolina as well as the Accountant for the Trustee in Bankruptcy for Chapter 7 and 11 cases in Georgia.
In his role leading the forensic practice at Dabbs, Hickman, Hill & Cannon, LLP, Mr. Hickman has provided expert testimony for the Superior Courts of Bulloch County, Candler County, Chatham County and Effingham County. Additionally, he has appeared in Federal Bankruptcy Court in Bulloch County, Chatham County and Columbia, South Carolina, as well as the Federal Court of Augusta, Ga.
Mr. Hickman also oversees the audit, review and compilation practices of the firm.
Mr. Hickman remains active civically and professionally, committed to supporting mission- aligned organizations with his experience. At Georgia Southern University, his Alma Mater, Mr. Hickman serves on the Georgia Southern University Foundation, Inc. as well as the Advisory Council for the School of Accountancy.
Beginning early in his career, Mr. Hickman demonstrated his commitment to balancing an impressive yoke of professional and civic leadership responsibilities. He previously has served as Chairman, President, or held Board and Advisory seats for the following organizations:
- Past President - Southeast Georgia Society of Certified Public Accountants
- Business Advisory Council-College of Business Administration of Georgia Southern University
- Board of Trustees -Georgia Southern University Foundation, Inc.
- Board of Directors- Ogeechee Technical College
- Executive Committee - Ogeechee Technical College Foundation- served 5 years
- Past President - Ogeechee Technical College Foundation
- Board of Directors- Excelsor Electric Membership Corporation
- Co-Chair for the Committee to Review Consolidation of local governments in Statesboro-Bulloch County
- Past President - Statesboro-Bulloch County Chamber of Commerce
- Chairman of Savannah to Augusta Developmental Highway Association
- Chairman Bulloch County Multi-Purpose Agriculture Building Committee
- Chamber of Commerce Executive Committee - served 8 years
- Development Authority of Bulloch County - served 6 years
- Chairman of the Board for United Way of Southeast Georgia - served 3 years
- Section Chairman of Human Services for United Way Fund Drive in Bulloch County
- Campaign Chariman for Bulloch County United Way - 2004
- Chairman of "A Day for Southern" campaign at Georgia Southern University, raised $1,101,056 in one day - 2004
- Chairman for Relay for Life Cancer drive, 2002 and 2003
- First Baptist Church Finance Committee
- Past Presdient Midday Optimist Club
- Participant - Leadership Georgia - Class of 1986
Honors/Awards
- Statesboro-Bulloch County Chamber of Commerce Business Leader of the Year, 2007
- Recipient Dean Day Smith Service to Mankind Award, 1989
- Outstanding Accounting Alumnus - Georgia Southern University, 1998
- December 2002 Commencement address to Georgia Southern University
Mr Hickman is a frequent lecturer on a variety of topics including Individual and Corporate Taxation and Forensic Accounting. His wife Jo Ann is also a proud Georgia Southern University graduate. They share two sons and two grandchildren.
Daniel J. Key, CPA
Daniel Key joined Dabbs, Hickman, Hill & Cannon, LLP, in 1995. In his 15 years of public accounting, Mr. Key acquired in-depth experience in traditional accounting services, including business and individual income taxation, and financial statement preparation.
Mr. Key is central to the firm's practice around forensic accounting, leading many of the current engagements in this area. As required Mr. Key becomes involved in all aspects of litigation support, providing exhibits, reports, depositions, and trial testimony. Mr. Key is known for his skill in forensic accounting and has served as an expert witness in Bulloch County Superior Court and Chatham County State Court.
Additionally, as clients grow in success and sophistication, Mr. Key works with them to establish accounting systems with sufficient infrastructure to facilitate growth and manage risk.
Professional and community involvement are important both to the firm and to Mr. Key. His leadership and involvement reflect his commitment to remaining at the forefront of evolving business and community issues as well as giving back to small businesses through his Alma Mater, Georgia Southern University.
His areas of service include:
- President - Southeast Georgia Chapter of Georgia Society of Certified Public Accountants - 2006-2007
- President, Founder - Business Network International, Statesboro chapter -2005-2006
- Member, American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
- Member, Georgia Society of Certified Public Accountants
- Member, Association of Certified Fraud Examiners
- Instructor - Small Business Development Center of Georgia Southern University
Mr. Key lectures and teaches on business topics such as managing business accounting information, managing cash flow, tracking revenues and expenditures, fulfilling payroll and other tax obligations, and setting up and using computerized accounting software.
Honors/Awards:
- Recipient, Savannah Business Report & Journal 2007 Class of 40 Under 40
- Member Beta Gamma Sigma, National Business Honor Society
- Member, Beta Alpha Psi, National Accounting Honor Society
- Recipient, Institute of Managerial Accountants Scholarship
Mr. Key graduated Cum Laude with his BBA in Accounting from Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, Georgia. He lives in Statesboro with his wife Cynthia and his young child.