Jerry W. Carden, a highly respected and well-known Certified Public Accountant at Gibson & Carden LLC, retired from the regional firm Tuesday after nearly 40 years of serving the community.

Carden said he is now retired from accounting and tax work, but he will continue as a financial planner and investment representative with LPL Financial Investment Service in Troy.

“Accounting has been what I’ve done all of my adult life. The decision to not do it anymore was made with mixed emotions,” Carden said, adding with a chuckle that he now has to think harder and needs more quiet time.

“Accounting is a pretty intensive way to make a living,” he said. “Accounting has been interesting and fun, but I decided that it was time to step out of the arena.”

Carden, who is originally from Prattville, came to Troy in January 1972 to attend college. He graduated from Troy University in 1975 with a degree in accounting.

He and his wife Pam made their home in Troy where he established his own accounting business.  In June of 1980, Carden merged his accounting practice with the accounting firm of Kirk, Gibson & Grant, P.C., forming the iconic accounting firm of Gibson & Carden LLC.

Senior partner and friend Mack Gibson said over the years, Carden helped the firm grow through strong values, trusted relationships, a deep sense of partnership, commitment to his clients, and an innate understanding of financial management.

“I’m proud of not being in the way while the firm was building,” Carden said in a modest way. “I’m proud of being affiliated with Gibson and Carden.  It was my pleasure to work with so many talented people and great clients.

“There are young people at the firm that I feel very confident and comfortable turning my longtime clients over to. My decision to step down was not been a surprise. I think the name of the firm will remain the same. That’s the way these things usually work.”

Gibson credits Carden for his progressive thinking.

“I’ve enjoyed working with Jerry over the past 35 years,” Gibson said. “ He has served our firm and this community well as a part of our thriving business community. Over the years I observed his vision of the changes in the accounting world’s dependence on emerging technology, and the implementation by our firm. This allowed us to assist our clients with their move into the new world of personal and business computers.”

Longtime client John Witherington of Witherington Insurance Group said he greatly appreciates Carden’s many contributions to the business world and to the community.

“I’d like to thank Jerry for his outstanding professional service and his many personal involvements within our community, both of which have had a significant impact,” Witherington said. “Jerry’s civic commitment and contributions to so many things here in Troy over the years have been greatly appreciated. I wish him health and happiness as he moves forward in life’s journey.”

Although Carden is retiring from Gibson & Carden, there is no rocking chair in his future just yet.

He will be working exclusively as a financial planner and investment representative and  devoting his attentions and efforts into building up his Financial Planning and Management business.