James Denton, Partner Emeritus/Wealth Management Advisor
Arledge
JAMES S. DENTON, CPA/PFS, CGMA
Partner Emeritus/Wealth Management Advisor (formerly Managing Shareholder/President/CEO)
Arledge & Associates, P.C. (Certified Public Accountants) Edmond, Oklahoma (405) 348-0615, (405) 823-0793, jim.denton@arledge.cpa
Background, Education and Career:
Jim is originally from Ponca City, Oklahoma and graduated from Ponca City High School in 1976. While in high school, he served as high school orchestra president. He was selected all-state orchestra member his last two years and worked in school leadership positions. Throughout secondary school, he also led activities (volunteer organizations, camp counseling) related to working with children and adults with developmental disabilities. He had a high interest in serving this group as his youngest brother was born with Down’s Syndrome.
Jim obtained a Bachelor of Music Education Degree in 1980 from the University of Central Oklahoma. While at UCO, he was on the Dean’s Honor Roll, a member of Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities, Chi Alpha (music leader), Baptist Student Union, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia (music fraternity), Tunesmiths, Men’s Glee Club (president), Symphony (4-year scholarship), Jazz Ensemble, Marching Band, Kappa Delta Pi (Education) and Alpha Chi (scholastic). He taught public school (music) in the Pond Creek-Hunter, Oklahoma School District before returning to UCO in 1982. At Pond Creek-Hunter Schools, Jim served as high school band director, elementary music teacher and junior class sponsor responsible for directing the class play.
In 1982, Jim redirected his career and obtained a Bachelor of Science in Accounting in 1984. While working on his accounting degree, he taught part-time music at Oklahoma Christian Schools and was a leader in the UCO Accounting Club. While in school he worked procuring accounting clients for his own bookkeeping practice. At UCO, he also led accounting informal study groups to assist other students and worked various temporary assignments during and between school terms.
Arledge & Associates, PC – May 1984 through present:
Jim has been with the firm since 1984 - he was employed during the firm’s first year of business. Having obtained the CPA in 1986, he stepped forward from being a tax preparer to lead the firm’s audit department starting in 1986 when the firm took on some of its first governmental engagements. He was admitted as a firm shareholder in 1989. Under his direction, the firm’s audit department grew from one not-for-profit client in the mid-1980s to an audit and consulting base of over 17,000 hours through 2007. Upon the firm founder’s retirement in January 2008, Jim was tapped to serve as the firm’s managing partner/President and CEO. The firm experienced significant growth during the next 10 years and doubled its revenues and team members during that time. As a result of the firm’s growth and community involvement, the firm was one of three finalists in 2015 for the Edmond Chamber’s Small Business of the Year. Also, the firm was selected as one of the Metro 50–the top 50 growing businesses in the Oklahoma City Area. The firm currently has over 500 clients, over 40 employees and has $5 million in annual revenue. Having obtained FINRA, NASSA and insurance licensing, he now leads the firm’s wealth management business.
Service to the Profession:
Oklahoma Society of CPAs. Jim served as a OSCPA Governmental Accounting and Auditing Committee member (1989–2014) and the Chairman from 1994 through 1997. He then served on OSCPA Liaison with Educational Institutions committee (2014 – 2016). In 2017, he received a 30-year membership recognition. He served as member, Vice Chair and ultimately Chair of the Educational Foundation (2016-2020). Also served as Director at Large of OSCPA and is periodically called on for live state-wide television appearances. Jim received the OSCPA’s Silver Pen Award in 2021 for his 2020 OSCPA FOCUS article entitled Ethics Takes Practice. He presents regularly at conferences and CPE sessions. In 2022, he was recognized as an OSCPA Pathfinder. In 2023, he received the OSCPA’s Gold Pen Award for his 2022 OSCPA FOCUS article entitled The Ethics Lessons of Better Call Saul. He is a frequent conference presenter; various state-wide television appearances on short notice; Day of Service participant. Member since 1986.
JAMES S. DENTON, CPA/PFS, CGMA
Service to the Profession (Cont’d):
American Institute of CPAs. Jim earned the Certificate of Educational Achievement in Governmental Accounting and Auditing. Member of Tax Section, PFP/PFS Section and holds the PFS and CGMA designations. Member since 1986.
Oklahoma Accountancy Board – Case Investigator 2001 - 2021.
Oklahoma Incentive Evaluation Commission - 2015 - 2019. Appointed by Gov. Mary Fallin upon recommendation by OSCPA.
Service to the Community:
Edmond Chamber of Commerce. Jim has served as the Chairman of the Board/executive committee (first five-year term) of a 5-Star Chamber. He serves on the Steering Committee for the Chamber’s Small Business Owners’ Alliance.
Oklahoma Venture Forum - Executive Committee member; Board Treasurer; Board member since 2015; Awards selection committee; Mentoring of entrepreneurs; Individual Member since 2012.
Edmond History Museum/Edmond Historical Society – Currently serves as Board Secretary of a local award-winning museum.
YMCA (Mitch Park & Rankin Branches) - Annual Campaign Champion; "Rookie of the Year" for the 2019 Campaign
Personal:
Married in 1981 to Cathie Smith (Denton). Cathie teaches piano (retired).
Daughter (Mary) Abigail, 1987. Edmond Memorial HS, Oklahoma State University – Bachelor of Music Education 2010 – Oklahoma University – Master in Conducting (Abby was hired as an Assistant Band instructor – Broken Arrow Public Schools Sapulpa Public Schools in 2022). Abby married Adam Bruce in 2011. Granddaughters – Elizabeth Avella Bruce (2015), Evelyn Juliet Bruce (2019).
Church – Crossings Community Church, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
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