Wipfli Acquries Chicago-Based Weltman Bernfield

Wipfli LLP has acquired Chicago-based Weltman Bernfield LLC. Wipfli is one of the top 20 accounting and consulting firms in the United States. The acquisition will go into effect on September 1. As part of this combination, approximately 45 Weltman Bernfield professionals, including nine partners, will join more than 1,600 professionals at Wipfli.

“We are pleased to welcome Weltman Bernfield’s highly skilled professionals to the firm,” said Rick Dreher, managing partner of Wipfli LLP. “The services that Weltman Bernfield provides to their clients complement Wipfli’s core services, so this combination will deepen our resources and further strengthen Wipfli’s geographic presence in the Chicago market. Joining forces with Weltman Bernfield represents another significant step in positioning us as a major player in a strategically key market for Wipfli.”

“Our firms share very similar cultures and commitments to exceptional client service,” said Glenn Mikell, managing member of Weltman Bernfield. “Joining with Wipfli will provide our firm with new and enhanced services and capabilities beyond traditional services to help our clients address their challenges and leverage opportunities. This combination will also be beneficial to our employees by opening up new opportunities to grow professionally.”

Weltman Bernfield, a certified public accounting and business consulting firm headquartered in Buffalo Grove, Illinois, and founded in 1920, provides accounting, audit, tax and business consulting services to individuals and private companies in a variety of industries.

“This merger is huge for Wipfli as it really solidifies their position in Chicago as a major player amongst CPA firms,” said Allan D. Koltin, CEO of Koltin Consulting Group who advised both firms on the merger. “This deal, when combined with the Steinberg Advisors deal (announced earlier this year) makes Wipfli one of the largest CPA firms in Chicago. I wouldn’t be surprised to still see Wipfli do another merger in downtown Chicago in the next year or two to round out their strategy.”

Wipfli ranks among the top 20 accounting and business consulting firms in the nation. For over 86 years, Wipfli has provided public and private companies and organizations with industry-focused assurance, accounting, tax and consulting services to help clients overcome today’s challenges and plan for tomorrow. The firm is a member of Allinial Global, a strategic affiliation that connects Wipfli to accounting firms around the world.

The combined firm will have more than 1,700 associates, including over 200 partners, and 39 office locations in the United States and India, including four offices in the Chicagoland area.