UHY Expands Midwest Footprint with Acquisition of Whalen CPAs

Accounting firm UHY has further expanded its regional footprint through the acquisition of Whalen CPAs, a practice based in Dublin, Ohio. The transaction adds another established regional office to UHY’s growing national network, reinforcing its presence in the American Midwest and broadening its service delivery capabilities across Central Ohio.

Strategic Growth in the Midwest Market

Founded in 1945, Whalen CPAs has built a long-standing regional presence providing advisory and tax services. The firm serves a diverse client base across multiple core industries throughout Central Ohio. Key sectors represented within their client portfolio include:

• Manufacturing and industrial operations
• Nonprofit organizations and community entities
• Professional services and real estate firms
• Healthcare, construction, and hospitality businesses

Leadership from both organizations emphasized that the integration aims to address the growing operational complexity faced by modern enterprises. Steven McCarty, chairman and CEO of UHY, noted that corporate clients increasingly require specialized advisory resources to navigate evolving market demands. According to McCarty, the acquisition aligns with the firm’s strategic philosophy and expands its high-touch client service model.

National Scale and Expansion Strategy

UHY enters this transaction following a period of national expansion and corporate development. The Top 50 accounting firm reported significant scale, supported by a private equity investment secured from Summit Partners in late 2024. The firm operates numerous offices nationwide, employing thousands of professionals to service a broad corporate clientele.

Lisa Shuneson, president and CEO of Whalen CPAs, stated that joining the larger national network provides distinct advantages for both clients and staff. The combination affords local clients access to specialized national resources and advanced service capabilities while maintaining the personalized attention established over the firm’s eighty-year history. Furthermore, the move creates professional development pathways for existing team members within a larger organizational framework.

Continuous M&A Activity Across Regions

The acquisition of the Ohio-based practice represents the continuation of an aggressive regional growth strategy pursued by UHY. The firm has executed multiple transactions across various geographic markets to strengthen its advisory and tax practices. Recent expansion efforts include the integration of Michigan CFO Associates and Anderson, Lower, Whitlow in Iowa, alongside several earlier acquisitions in regional markets such as St. Louis and New York.

Industry observers note that mid-tier and large accounting firms are increasingly turning to consolidation and private equity partnerships to fund growth, secure specialized talent, and expand geographic reach. As regulatory requirements and business environments grow more demanding, transactions like the Whalen CPAs integration highlight the ongoing transformation of the professional services sector.