Powering Potential
Originally published in Forbes, Fortune, and Entrepreneur magazines | Outstanding Business Leaders: Grand Rapids
West Michigan CPA and advisory firm EHTC prioritizes the people behind the numbers.
While many CPA and advisory firms operate with a transactional mindset, one West Michigan-based firm adheres to a different—and surprisingly simple— ethos: helping their team members and clients achieve their full potential.
Echelbarger, Himebaugh, Tamm & Co., P.C. (EHTC) prioritizes the growth of their team members, encouraging them to explore specialty areas that they are interested in to build their expertise. “I started here as an intern, and I saw it as a great opportunity. I want our employees to feel the same way,” says Dave Echelbarger, CPA, managing partner and visionary of EHTC. “When team members feel supported and empowered to take on new responsibilities and challenges, that directly impacts their investment in their work.” Creating the opportunity for team member growth has been key in both EHTC’s ability to attract and retain top talent, and provide a variety of services and expertise to better serve the ever-changing needs of their clients.
“Every client interaction—from accounting and financial reporting services, to tax planning and valuation services—is an opportunity to learn about our clients, their priorities, and their companies. We are then able to share our knowledge to help their companies grow,” says Echelbarger.
Founded in 1977, EHTC offers expertise in accounting, tax, and business advisory services. “We serve the needs of individuals and closely held businesses in the West Michigan area who share our core values—those who are entrepreneurial, collaborative, and desire a long-term advisory relationship,” Echelbarger says.
Since its founding, EHTC has shown its gratitude to the people of West Michigan by giving back to the community by way of raising funds, collecting donations, and volunteering their time during their annual “Days of Caring” for local nonprofit organizations.
“We recognize that a well-rounded business is measured not only by profitability, client satisfaction, and professional growth, but also by its role in the community it shares,” says Echelbarger. Since 1987, EHTC has hosted their annual “Chipping for Charity Golf Outing,” raising over $350,000 since its inception.
Forward Focus
Through the continued development of their team members, EHTC has added three additional partners to the firm over the past three years, welcomed 25 new team members, and grown their advisory services niche into a thriving service line. Advisory services encompasses both valuation and transaction advisory services, which focus on preparing business owners with expert knowledge when they are looking to acquire, sell, or value their business.
“The addition of advisory services has allowed us to increase the complexity of the client work we perform, enhancing our ability to meet the needs of our clients, and expanding our reach to prospective clients,” says Echelbarger. Providing more value to their clients than fees has always been at the core of EHTC’s business processes.
Echelbarger says the firm’s continued success is leading to some exciting changes. “We’ve outgrown our Grand Rapids location and will soon be moving to a brand-new office in Ada, Michigan,” he shares.
“At EHTC, we strive to ensure our clients feel educated, supported, and confident to lead their companies. Being a resource to many businesses in the West Michigan community has been an extremely rewarding experience and allowed us to deepen our relationships with clients,” says Echelbarger. “We are thrilled to call Ada our new home, deepening our investment and impact in the West Michigan community.”
EHTC is a dedicated, full-service CPA firm in West Michigan that focuses on helping clients to achieve their full potential through comprehensive accounting, finance, and tax services. We are a local firm with large firm resources, using a team approach to proactive client service that helps our clients gain a competitive advantage through our ability to develop strategies and present realistic solutions that build value. To learn more about what we do, please visit our About Us page here.
