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
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
1947

Elmer moves family and business to Columbus, Ohio – retains Springfield clients

Elmer moves family and business to Columbus, Ohio – retains Springfield clients
1963
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
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
1965

Office moves to Cleveland Avenue location

1981
1981

Whalen & Company becomes a CPA firm

1982
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.
1982

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
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
1985

Elmer Whalen retired from Whalen & Company, CPAs

Elmer Whalen retired from Whalen & Company, CPAs
1986
1986

Whalen named 10th largest CPA firm in Central Ohio by Business first

1987
1987

Acquired DeWitt, Boch & Meadows

Acquired DeWitt, Boch & Meadows
1989
1989

Valerie Ujvari named partner in the firm.

Valerie Ujvari named partner in the firm.
1990
1990

Jim Whalen retires from Whalen & Company, CPAs

Jim Whalen retires from Whalen & Company, CPAs
1999
1999

Acquisition of Dave Bumgarner, CPA practice

Acquisition of Dave Bumgarner, CPA practice
1999

Acquisition of Mathless & Mathless CPAs

Acquisition of Mathless & Mathless CPAs
1999

Laura Wojciechowski, CPA becomes partner

Laura Wojciechowski, CPA becomes partner
2000
2000

Richard Crabtree, CPA becomes partner

Richard Crabtree, CPA becomes partner
2002
2002

Acquisition of Deborah Knox, CPA

Acquisition of Deborah Knox, CPA
2003
2003

Lindagrace Hickey, CPA – Managing partner retires

Lindagrace Hickey, CPA – Managing partner retires
2003

Whalen moves offices to 250 Old Wilson Bridge Road in Worthington

2006
2006

Lisa Shuneson, CPA becomes partner

Lisa Shuneson, CPA becomes partner
2014
2014

Laura Wojciechowski retires from Whalen & Company, CPAs

Laura Wojciechowski retires from Whalen & Company, CPAs
2014

Richard Crabtree and Lisa Shuneson become Co-managing partners

Richard Crabtree and Lisa Shuneson become Co-managing partners
2015
2015

Bruce Berry, CPA and Patrick McClary, CPA become partners

2015

Acquisition of Earman & Wood, CPAs

Acquisition of Earman & Wood, CPAs
2016
2016

Acquisition of Simplibooks

2016

Startup of affiliated company – Positive Returns USA, LLC dba Simplitax

Startup of affiliated company – Positive Returns USA, LLC dba Simplitax
2017
2017

Linda Nay becomes partner

Linda Nay becomes partner
2019
2019

Acquisition of Martinelli & Company

Acquisition of Martinelli & Company
2021
2021

William Bauder, CPA becomes partner

William Bauder, CPA becomes partner
2021

Acquisition of Barnes, Barnes & Associates, Inc. dba Advanced Practice Management

Acquisition of Barnes, Barnes & Associates, Inc. dba Advanced Practice Management
2022
2022

Richard Crabtree, Co-managing partner, retires

Richard Crabtree, Co-managing partner, retires
2022

Lisa Shuneson becomes firms first CEO

Lisa Shuneson becomes firms first CEO

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