Indianapolis Consulting Firm Acquired
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowIndianapolis-based Dunbar, Cook & Shepard P.C. has been acquired by a Cincinnati firm. VonLehman & Co. says all of the Indiana company's employees will join the combined firm.
July 1, 2013
News release
Indianapolis, Ind. and Cincinnati, Ohio — VonLehman & Company, a leading regional CPA, business advisory and business turnaround firm with offices in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky, today announced the acquisition of Dunbar, Cook & Shepard P.C., an Indianapolis-based CPA and management consulting firm serving a range of blue-chip clients.
Effective July 1, the firms will join together and conduct business as VonLehman & Company with Dunbar, Cook & Shepard (DCS) partners working in leadership roles and all 22 DCS employees joining the combined firm. With a staff of more than 110 people at VonLehman offices in Kentucky, Ohio and Indiana, the firm will offer expanded services to client companies from start-ups to third-generation businesses and support community initiatives in these growing business regions.
“This is a great opportunity for DCS people to continue growing with our clients as we leverage the strengths and capabilities at VonLehman,” said Bernie Shepard, one of the founders of Dunbar, Cook & Shepard. “Our new, larger presence in Indianapolis will bring greater value to all clients in the combined firm.”
“Our partners and staff are excited to be a part of the VonLehman team,” stated Micki Siner, CPA and managing partner at DCS. “We're proud of our track record serving great clients in Indiana, Ohio, Illinois and other states, and we see big opportunities for business and career growth as we join forces with VonLehman in this vital region.”
VonLehman and DCS Collaborated on Earlier Projects
The professional relationship between VonLehman and DCS began nearly 20 years ago as both firms interacted as members of CPAmerica, an international association of independently-owned and managed CPA and consulting firms. As a result of several professional collaborations, the two firms determined that combining talent and resources could offer clients greater depth and broader scope of accounting and business advisory services.
“DCS is an outstanding firm with terrific people and successful clients in a strong economic market,” stated Brian Malthouse, president of VonLehman. “We looked at cities throughout the Midwest and felt Indianapolis had the greatest potential for a high-level of growth and business development. Teaming up with DCS expands our presence in Indianapolis, adds value for our current clients and enhances capabilities to attract complementary new clients.”
Added Resources for Client Service
The core of DCS is the audit and accounting practice with deep experience in regulatory matters, financial reporting and forecasting. VonLehman is the eighth largest CPA firm in the Tri-State region, one of the Cincinnati Enquirer’s Top Workplaces in 2013, and one of United Way's “Live United 100.”
The combined firm will provide accounting and business advisory services for privately-held businesses in retail, construction, healthcare consulting, professional services, manufacturing, wholesale distribution, and more than 250 not-for-profit and governmental organizations. In addition, the acquisition will provide additional resources to support human resource consulting & recruiting, operational advisory and controllership services, international expertise, IT consulting, disaster recovery and profit improvement planning.
“Our strategic approach is based on helping clients reduce risk and manage uncertainty by anticipating the future, not just accounting for the past,” added Mr. Malthouse. “As we look to the future, we plan to recruit and hire top talent at each of our offices over the next six to twelve months.”
VonLehman acquired all assets of Dunbar, Cook & Shepard. Terms were not announced.
About Dunbar, Cook & Shepard
Established in Indianapolis in 1974, DCS employs an experienced team of CPAs, accountants, consultants and support staff that provide accounting, auditing, tax, management consulting, financial planning and employee benefits administration. Client industries include manufacturing, distribution, non-profit, governmental and construction. The firm primarily serves entrepreneurs and closely-held businesses.
About VonLehman
Founded in 1946, VonLehman is a leading full-service CPA and business advisory firm that provides accounting, tax and strategic business advice to closely-held businesses, not-for-profits and governmental entities throughout the Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky region. Specializing in sectors that drive the tri-state economy – including manufacturing and distribution, construction and real estate development; professional services and healthcare – VonLehman provides clients with the depth of services and resources expected from larger national firms, but with an unmatched measure of personal care and attention. See http://www.vlcpa.com for more information.