Florida natives Dominic and Michael Scine now lead thriving Certified Public Accountant (CPA) firms in St. Augustine. For the Scine brothers, business success stems from relationships, respect, and trust, values they attribute to the humanities and accounting education they received at Flagler. Today, they hope to inspire the next generation of students to aim high and take full advantage of the resources available at the College.
Since 2006, Dominic Scine has been the owner of Scine Associates, an outsourced accounting solution that provides CFO and accounting services to business owners and government contractors. With a team of 18 employees, the firm focuses on government contracting. Michael Scine, two years his junior, runs a separate CPA practice, specializing in tax planning and consulting for businesses locally and beyond.
Although their firms operate independently, the brothers’ professional collaborations have strengthened client relationships and highlighted the skills instilled in them at Flagler.
“Trust is our currency. We put people first,” Michael said. “The things we learned through the humanities at Flagler taught us how to do that.”
Dominic initially pursued a degree in Philosophy and Religion before discovering accounting, a subject in which he quickly excelled. What surprised him was how the two disciplines complemented each other, preparing him for success in business.
“The things you learn in the humanities, you put all that first, and the money will come later,” Dominic said.
Both brothers originally enrolled in Flagler’s Philosophy and Religion program, expecting a ministry-related career path.
“I thought I was going to get answers,” Michael said. “Instead, they taught me how to ask better questions.”
That critical-thinking foundation served Michael well when he transitioned to accounting. He recalls one lesson that has shaped his career.
“My time in Flagler’s accounting program was both formative and memorable. I still recall Professor Jim McKowski saying, ‘Cash to a business is like blood to your body.’ At the time, I didn’t fully grasp the weight of that statement, but it has proven true again and again throughout my career,” Michael said. “The foundation I gained in the program continues to be instrumental in my daily life as a CPA. I’m deeply grateful for the professors who invested in us and for the program itself, which gave me not just technical skills, but also the discipline and perspective to build a lasting career.”
The rigorous academic experience of Flagler’s humanities programs, coupled with the accounting program, reshaped their approach to the future.
“The humanities program at Flagler is incredibly important to take into the world. It’s a lost or dying art, but it’s powerful,” Dominic said.
They credit professors like Dr. Timothy Johnson and Dr. Jean Klein for teaching them how to handle difficult situations, manage deadlines, and meet high expectations. Those relationships remain strong today.
“So many of the questions our clients ask aren’t about money—they’re about purpose, family, legacy,” Dominic said. “The humanities gave us a way to zoom out, see the big picture, and ask, ‘Why are we doing this in the first place?’”
This mindset continues to define their firms. Even in industries prone to high turnover, the Scine brothers’ companies maintain stability and loyalty, thanks to strong relationships with both clients and staff.
“You can’t teach someone to care,” Michael said. “That’s what the humanities gave us. And that’s why we’ve had clients for 15 years and staff who stay.”
The brothers remain deeply involved with Flagler, both serving as adjunct professors in the accounting department, with Dominic spending five years on the alumni board. They frequently hire interns and mentor students, encouraging them to pursue their chosen careers.
“Keep strong relationships with the people you meet in college—you never know where they may take you,” Michael said. “Focusing on aspects that don’t always have financial outcomes can serve you best in the long run.”
“Currency of trust is eroding. Never lose sight of how valuable trust is in your career and in life,” Dominic added.
