Rob Bovitz was known as “Bob’s son” until he made a name for himself in public service, and as a certified public accountant. His job and his volunteer work became symbiotic.

“Givers gain,” Bovitz said. “You can never give more of your time and resources than the benefits you and those you help receive.”

His father, who was Trenton’s mayor and councilman from 1969 to 1983, started Bovitz CPA PC in Wyandotte in 1961, the year Rob was born.

The main office has been in Trenton since 1978, and the Canton office was opened in 1998, providing income tax preparation for families, businesses, nonprofits and homeowners’ associations. Bovitz CPA, P.C. also offers outsource controllership for businesses, payroll services and political campaign financial reporting.

“We focus on small business, self-employed individuals and the impact on their personal income tax,” Bovitz said. “Clients want a professional to be there as a hand holder to help them through tough times and to be proactive. We’re helping businesses and families survive and thrive.”

A St. Thomas A’Becket Catholic Church choir member, Bovitz wanted to learn more about his community. So he took the expansive Leadership Canton class offered by the chamber and the township. He learned about Canton’s internal operations, including education, health and human services, police and fire, community development and more.

Bovitz also finds time to provide community service with Rotary, Partnership for the Arts and Humanities and the Catholic Youth Organization.

Among his biggest accomplishments was serving as a driving force that helped create the Village Theater at Cherry Hill. His volunteer work landed him a coveted award for the Canton Chamber People’s Choice in 2023; in the Canton Hall of Fame in 2016; a public service award from the Michigan Association of CPAs in 2004 and Canton Chamber of Commerce Business Person of the Year in 2008. He’s been a member of the chamber since 2000.

“It’s one thing to be a business leader and to think about the bottom line,” Bovitz said. “But volunteering in the community is just as important.”

Bovitz, who majored in accounting and minored in theater at the University of Detroit, has performed in dinner theater and with Spotlight Players in Canton, as well as other groups.

Through it all, Bovitz recognizes and appreciates his father’s hand in guiding him into the family business.

“He offered me a job if I took an accounting and bookkeeping class over the summer when I was a junior in high school,” Bovitz said.

It turned out that he had an aptitude for it, and he started working in his dad’s office in December 1977. Taking accelerated courses, he graduated cum laude from college in three years.

Bovitz and his wife Katie have two daughters, Allison and Jillian. He has been a Canton resident for more than two decades.

“In 1998, I met my wife and she said, ‘Why don’t we make our new home in Canton?’” Bovitz said. “I went from being Bob’s son Downriver to a new identity in Canton.”

For more information, call (734) 394-2660.