CPA Firm Whittlesey & Hadley Expands Into Western Massachusetts

HARTFORD, Conn. – Whittlesey & Hadley, P.C., one of the area’s largest regional CPA firms, announced its plan to diversify geographically and grow in size, services and staff, beginning with a merger with Lester Halpern & Company, P.C., of Holyoke, a leading regional CPA firm providing a broad range of accounting, audit, tax and management consulting services to closely held business, nonprofit and governmental sectors of Western Mass. and throughout New England. The merger is effective August 1. Whittlesey & Hadley provides accounting, audit, tax, technology and business consulting services to clients primarily throughout the northeast, with access to a worldwide network of resources through PKF North America. For more than 50 years, the firm has served closely held businesses, including manufacturing, construction and distribution, real estate, financial institutions, healthcare, government and technology industries, as well as the nonprofit sector, the firm’s largest niche focus. The firm has 100 professional and administrative staff located in downtown Hartford. “We moved to a larger office space in downtown Hartford, providing us with the resources to begin our future growth,” said Drew Andrews, managing partner of Whittlesey & Hadley, P.C. “It is a common vision, philosophy and dedication to provide a superior client experience that we are seeking when merging with CPA firms. Lester Halpern & Company brought that to the table. This merger represents our first step in an aggressive plan to grow our services and staff throughout the northeast, while retaining our valued reputation as having the expertise of a national firm but the responsiveness of a local firm that clients expect and deserve from its professional services partner.” Established in 1959, Lester Halpern & Company’s 25 employees will continue to serve their client base out of the Holyoke office, while acquiring the Whittlesey & Hadley brand. “Whittlesey & Hadley, P.C.’s presence and extensive resources offer an opportunity for Lester Halpern & Company to greatly expand the services available to our clients,” said Thomas Terry, the managing partner of Lester Halpern & Company, P.C. “Integrating our abilities and our experiences will result in a stronger base for future growth.”