Ohio accounting firm Whalen & Company CPAs is starting a new venture this year by merging in the QuickBooks consulting firm Simplibooks and launching a new tax preparation service it is calling Simplitax.
The move follows on the heels of Whalen’s acquisition of another accounting firm, Earman & Wood CPAs, last November.
“This is an exciting time for our firm,” said Whalen & Company partner Lisa Shuneson in a statement. “As we enter our 71st year in business as an accounting firm, Simplibooks and Simplitax will help us continue to evolve with the industry, meet the needs of our clients and engage new clients.”
Previously based in Hilliard, Ohio, Simplibooks will continue to provide QuickBooks support and bookkeeping services as a division of Worthington, Ohio-based Whalen & Company. As part of the deal, Simplibooks founder Jessica A. Distel, a Quickbooks ProAdvisor, will join Whalen & Company as a senior manager, along with associates Tiffany Clark as client service leader and Josh McReynolds as accounting staff.
Whalen’s new Simplitax business will provide individual income tax preparation and will operate as a separate entity within Whalen’s existing offices this year, with plans to expand in 2017.
“Simplitax will provide basic income tax return preparation for individuals, allowing us to connect with new clients who may not have required the full slate of offerings at Whalen & Company,” said Whalen & Company partner Richard Crabtree. “We are excited about serving new clients with Simplitax’s competitive rates and convenient services.”
