Withum

The story of Withum began on March 21, 1974, when Frederick Withum, Leonard Smith, and Ivan Brown, all alumni of 'Big Eight' accounting firms, came together with a shared vision. They aimed to establish a professional services firm that prioritized its people, a principle that continues to be a cornerstone of the company's philosophy. Opening its first office in Milltown, New Jersey, with a modest team of two staff accountants, Withum, Smith & Brown, P.C. embarked on its journey. Their mission was clear: to provide personalized service to growing companies while fostering an environment centered on staff development, exceptional client service, and a commitment to community engagement. This foundational ethos was about creating more than just an accounting firm; it was about building a legacy of support and excellence.

Over the subsequent decades, Withum experienced remarkable growth, transforming from a small local practice into a nationally recognized advisory, tax, and accounting powerhouse. This expansion wasn't just in size—reaching over 2,400 team members and surpassing half a billion dollars in revenue by its 50th anniversary in 2024—but also in scope and geographical reach. The firm strategically broadened its service offerings beyond traditional accounting and tax to include digital and technology transformation, cybersecurity, and outsourced accounting systems. Its physical presence grew to encompass 26 offices across the United States, including major financial hubs like New York, Boston, Philadelphia, and Washington D.C., as well as international offices in the Cayman Islands and India. Key leadership transitions, such as Bill Hagaman succeeding co-founder Ivan Brown as CEO and Managing Partner, and later Pat Walsh taking the helm in 2023, marked new chapters in Withum's evolution, each leader building upon the firm's established culture and driving further innovation and growth. The 'Withum Way,' a set of ten tenets, was formalized, encapsulating the firm's unique culture and values, and guiding its interactions with clients and team members alike, ensuring that even as it expanded globally, the core principle of putting people first remained undiluted.