Firm History

Seven Decades of Trust, Integrity and Accountability.

Whalen & Company began its history as Elmer J. Whalen, PA who was a sole practitioner with his own office. Originally an accountant for a large manufacturing company in Springfield, Ohio, Elmer began doing tax and monthly accounting work at night for small local companies. When his client based increased to almost 20 small businesses in 1945, Elmer decided to dedicate himself full time to starting his own accounting firm. In 1947, Elmer and his family relocated to the Columbus area as he felt Columbus would offer increased opportunity for this practice.

Elmer continued to retain the 20 clients from Springfield who stayed with the firm and grew their businesses – in several cases – well into the 1990s. Elmer began his practice out of his home, where clients would come and fill the living room, waiting to meet with him. His wife, Gerry, started a daycare center in the home as well to assist with the financial end while Elmer built up the business.

The first office location was downtown above the Clock Restaurant. Eventually, the firm moved to the Beggs Building (now known as the Fifth-Third building).

Whalen Timeline

Whalen Timeline

1945
Elmer Whalen starts sole practitioner practice as Elmer J. Whalen, PA in Springfield, Ohio
Elmer Whalen starts sole practitioner practice as Elmer J. Whalen, PA in  Springfield, Ohio
1947
Elmer moves family and business to Columbus, Ohio – retains Springfield clients
Elmer moves family and business to Columbus, Ohio – retains Springfield clients
1963
Jim Whalen, son of Elmer, joins the firm on a full time basis
Jim Whalen, son of Elmer, joins the firm on a full time basis
1965
Jedd Whalen, son of Elmer, joins the firm on a full time basis
Jedd Whalen, son of Elmer, joins the firm on a full time basis
Office moves to Cleveland Avenue location
1981
Whalen & Company becomes a CPA firm
1982
Acquired Newark accounting firm. Jim Whalen took over running Newark satellite office.
Acquired Newark accounting firm. Jim Whalen took over running Newark satellite office.
Jedd Whalen became managing partner of the Columbus office which moved its office to 2700 E. Dublin Granville Road (the Ohio Savings Bank building)
Jedd Whalen became managing partner of the Columbus office which moved its office to 2700 E. Dublin Granville Road (the Ohio Savings Bank building)
1984
Lindagrace Hickey named partner in the firm. First woman partner of an accounting firm in Ohio region.
Lindagrace Hickey named partner in the firm. First woman partner of an accounting firm in Ohio region.
1985
Elmer Whalen retired from Whalen & Company, CPAs
Elmer Whalen retired from Whalen & Company, CPAs
1986
Whalen named 10th largest CPA firm in Central Ohio by Business first
1987
Acquired DeWitt, Boch & Meadows
Acquired DeWitt, Boch & Meadows
1989
Valerie Ujvari named partner in the firm.
Valerie Ujvari named partner in the firm.
1990
Jim Whalen retires from Whalen & Company, CPAs
Jim Whalen retires from Whalen & Company, CPAs
1999
Acquisition of Dave Bumgarner, CPA practice
Acquisition of Dave Bumgarner, CPA practice
Acquisition of Mathless & Mathless CPAs
Acquisition of Mathless & Mathless CPAs
Laura Wojciechowski, CPA becomes partner
Laura Wojciechowski, CPA becomes partner
2000
Richard Crabtree, CPA becomes partner
Richard Crabtree, CPA becomes partner
2002
Acquisition of Deborah Knox, CPA
Acquisition of Deborah Knox, CPA
2003
Lindagrace Hickey, CPA – Managing partner retires
Lindagrace Hickey, CPA – Managing partner retires
Whalen moves offices to 250 Old Wilson Bridge Road in Worthington
2006
Lisa Shuneson, CPA becomes partner
Lisa Shuneson, CPA becomes partner
2014
Laura Wojciechowski retires from Whalen & Company, CPAs
Laura Wojciechowski retires from Whalen & Company, CPAs
Richard Crabtree and Lisa Shuneson become Co-managing partners
Richard Crabtree and Lisa Shuneson become Co-managing partners
2015
Bruce Berry, CPA and Patrick McClary, CPA become partners
Acquisition of Earman & Wood, CPAs
Acquisition of Earman & Wood, CPAs
2016
Acquisition of Simplibooks
Startup of affiliated company – Positive Returns USA, LLC dba Simplitax
Startup of affiliated company – Positive Returns USA, LLC dba Simplitax
2017
Linda Nay becomes partner
Linda Nay becomes partner
2019
Acquisition of Martinelli & Company
Acquisition of Martinelli & Company
2021
William Bauder, CPA becomes partner
William Bauder, CPA becomes partner
Acquisition of Barnes, Barnes & Associates, Inc. dba Advanced Practice Management
Acquisition of Barnes, Barnes & Associates, Inc. dba Advanced Practice Management
2022
Richard Crabtree, Co-managing partner, retires
Richard Crabtree, Co-managing partner, retires
Lisa Shuneson becomes firms first CEO
Lisa Shuneson becomes firms first CEO

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