Caraway, McMahon & Company, L.L.P. - History & Values

Max B. Caraway was born in Arlington, Texas on August 15, 1927. In 1929 his father, a farmer, moved the family to Shallowater. Max went to high school in Abernathy, graduating from there in 1944, and then entered Texas Tech, where he received his degree in 1949. Two years later Max received his CPA Certificate, Number 2346.

Upon graduating from Texas Tech, Max worked for Charles Thompson, a Levelland public accountant. After about a year in Levelland he joined the firm of Condray, Pratas & Smith, CPA’s, in Lubbock. He worked with this firm until 1955 when he started his own practice, a sole proprietorship, in the Metro Tower in Downtown Lubbock. Max’s first partner was Don Dorman, who he had worked with on the staff at Condray, Pratas & Smith, CPA’s, and who also opened his own office in 1955. In 1958 Don helped form the partnership of Dorman & Newsom, which later became the firm of Dorman, Newsom & Caraway. In 1960 the firm changed its name to Dorman & Caraway, and Don practiced with this firm until 1966 when he became a partner in Main LaFrentz & Company. In 1961 Mr. M. Dan Howard joined Max to form the firm of Caraway & Howard and maintained that name until December, 1973, at which time the firm name became Caraway, Howard & Spikes and included Richard C. Spikes, CPA, who received his CPA Certificate in 1966.

Kevin G. McMahon came to work for Caraway & Howard in June, 1973, after having worked part-time at Bolinger, Segars, Gilbert & Moss, CPA’s, and receiving his degree in accounting in May, 1973. Kevin passed the 1973 CPA Exam and was awarded CPA Certificate Number 13,191 in June, 1974.

In the summer of 1977, Paul Godwin, not a CPA, and Kevin McMahon, CPA, were admitted as partners to the firm of Caraway, Howard & Spikes.

In the summer of 1978, Mr. Godwin withdrew from the firm, as did Mr. Howard. At that time the firm name was changed to Caraway, Spikes & McMahon and practiced as such until 1985, when Richard C. Spikes withdrew and the name Caraway, McMahon & Company became the name that has identified the firm since 1985.

Max Caraway has always served as the bedrock of leadership in making sure that the firm was committed to serving its clients with integrity, good sense and wise solutions to the problems facing businesses every day. These values became central to our ability to achieve our position of strength as a local leader in our profession.

Max always had the ability to bring order to chaos and understanding without getting lost in data. It was always Max’s plan that our firm would be a leader in managing innovation and change, and as a result was one of the first firms in Lubbock to utilize a computer for bookkeeping and financial statements.

Our firm’s reputation is anchored in the professionalism, ethics and excellence of service that all of our associates have strived to embrace every day of our more than fifty year history.

Times change, and there are very different and challenging business climates that require that we combine our own good judgment and experience with the practical guidelines of our code of ethics as we aim to continue the trust of all of our clients.

Max’s legacy includes a history of support for charitable, educational and community service activities, knowing that dedication of our time, toil and talent would strengthen the Lubbock and area communities where we live and work.

As Caraway, McMahon & Company moves forward, we strive to continue to establish ourselves as employers of choice and provide an internal environment that allows our organization to continue to deliver high quality services to today’s small and medium businesses—and tomorrow’s.

Values

Confidence: We are confident in our abilities and knowledge. We strive to earn our clients confidence. Confidentiality is the backbone of our profession. Our clients can be at ease knowing that we pledge not to discuss our clients affairs with unauthorized parties.

Management: In our industry management is extremely important. Whether managing our firm, client engagements, and businesses, proper management is something we do not take lightly.

Civic: Our founders have created a wonderful civic profile for our firm. We feel that it is necessary for professionals to give their time and talents in order to enhance the community in which we live.

Loyalty: Loyalty is a value that we treasure. We are very greatful for our clients’ loyalty over the last half century.

Learning: With the ever changing tax code, accounting and valuation standards, we have committed a lifetime to learning.

People: We value our people above all else, realizing that they are the cornerstones to the success of our firm.