Firm Profile
At Odom Moses & Company, we believe in the value of relationships. We view every client relationship like a partnership and truly believe that our success is a result of your success.
About Our Firm
Drakon B. “Hayes” Odom - 1921-2007
Founder
Much of the firm’s success can be attributed to the influence of the firm’s founder, Drakon B. “Hayes” Odom. He graduated from Jasper High School in 1939. During World War II he was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the Army Air Corps and flew the P-47 Thunderbolt over Germany while stationed in both France and Germany. After the war, he returned to college and graduated with High Honors from the University of Florida in 1947 and subsequently joined the faculty serving as professor of accounting at the University. He was the first Certified Public Accountant between Jacksonville and Tallahassee and was appointed by the Governor to the State Board of Accountancy. He also served as President of the Florida Institute of Certified Public Accountants from 1970-1971. In 2001, Mr. Odom was recognized as an Honorary Member for fifty years of membership to the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
Mr. Odom established the firm June 1, 1951, under the name of Darby, Darby & Odom with offices in Lake City and Tampa, Florida. Principals at that time were D.B. Odom of Lake City, C. Dwight Darby of Lake City, and Richard E. Darby of Tampa, Florida. In 1956, Ralph Abrahamsen and LeRoy T. Knapp were admitted as partners. Frederick E. Fisher was also a partner in the firm during the early years. Later, Earl Gause, James Lackey, G. David Brewer, and Philip J. Moses, Jr. were admitted as partners. The firm was reorganized in 1990 to become Odom, Moses & Company.
In the early years, the firm’s services included audits of large governmental agencies, such as the University of Florida, other agencies of the state government, Columbia County and The City of Lake City. In addition, the firm offered traditional CPA services including tax preparation and financial and estate planning for businesses and individuals. Today, the firm continues to provide traditional CPA services and through affiliates, offers investment management services.