Accounting firm Hausser + Taylor has changed its name to Maloney + Novotny and severed its association with RSM McGladrey.
The firm said it terminated its relationship with RSM McGladrey, a subsidiary of H&R Block, “because its shareholders wished to remain an Ohio-based accounting firm and retain the legacy of 75 years of client service.”
The firm provides audit, review, compilation, tax and consulting services. It changed its name to emphasize its independence and is named after managing shareholder Matthew Maloney and shareholder Timothy Novotny.
The firm had sued McGladrey and received a preliminary injunction on Nov. 21 from Judge Christopher Boyko of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, Eastern Division. The court found that RSM McGladrey had misused detailed confidential financial information relating to Hausser + Taylor and its clients, and that RSM McGladrey provided this information to McGladrey & Pullen, a competitor of Hausser + Taylor that operates in an alternative practice structure with RSM McGladrey.
Judge Boyko ordered RSM and anyone who had been given the information by RSM to cease using the information and to return it within 14 days. He also ordered RSM to stop soliciting the firm’s clients for attest accounting services.
“This ruling essentially allows our firm to preserve its longstanding, established business in Ohio under our new name, Maloney + Novotny,” said Maloney in a statement. “It recognizes our longstanding client relationships and supports our efforts to continue the strong, client-focused business we’ve spent our professional lives building. It is also a benefit to Ohio to maintain a locally owned accounting firm.”
RSM McGladrey said it remains committed to the Ohio market. The four partners in Hausser’s Columbus office chose to join McGladrey & Pullen instead of Maloney + Novotny.
“As a matter of company policy, we do not comment publicly on pending litigation,” said a statement from RSM McGladrey. “While we look forward to resolving our legal differences expeditiously, our primary focus remains centered on serving our clients and becoming the provider of choice to middle-market companies in Ohio. We are excited about McGladrey & Pullen’s entry into the Ohio market and the opportunity it affords to create a broader pool of industry talent, expanded service offerings and a truly national presence for our Ohio clients.”
