Walthall CPAs will merge with Rea & Associates on Nov. 1, 2017. Walthall and Rea are both highly respected firms with strong ties to the communities in which they operate, and we are proud to become one team. You may have some questions about this merger. To answer these questions, we’ve compiled a list of frequently asked questions and answers. If, after reading through this page, you still have questions, please don’t hesitate to contact your Rea or Walthall advisor. They are happy to answer any questions you have about the merger.
Why did Walthall merge with Rea & Associates?
Walthall CPAs has a strong culture similar to the culture we’ve established at Rea & Associates. Both firms have a long, independent history and are service-oriented, client-focused and employee-centric. The single, stronger practice formed as a result of this merger will better position us to provide accounting, auditing, tax and business consulting services throughout the Cleveland area and beyond. As one firm, we will still provide local, personalized service, but with the expertise of more than 300 people behind us.
This merger is a key component of the firms’ succession plans. Rea and Walthall will now be better prepared to serve all the needs of our clients now and in the future. This merger also offers new growth opportunities for Rea and Walthall employees.
Rea is a Top 100 accounting firm with an aggressive growth strategy. Merging with Walthall allows Rea to strategically expand its reach deeper into the Cleveland area. Walthall’s growth strategy is also supported by the merger. For Walthall, combining with Rea was their next best strategic step.
How will this merger impact me?
Through this combination, we’ll be able to better serve our clients with enhanced niches and services. Walthall clients will now have direct access to a wider array of services including: Affordable Care Act consulting, investment advisory services, Lean Six Sigma consulting, employee benefit plan design & administration and more. Rea also offers more robust specialty teams in the manufacturing, construction, dental, not-for-profit, health care and government industries.
In a nutshell, your daily interactions won’t change, but you will have access to a more diverse team of professionals with new specialties to help your business.
Will I still have the same CPA?
Absolutely! The financial advisors and service team with whom you’ve been accustomed to working over the years will stay the same. Relationships are critical in this business and we are committed to maintaining and reinforcing the trust you’ve placed in our firm and individual team members. We are proud to say that nobody will lose their job as the result of this merger. You will see the same friendly faces you’ve grown accustomed to seeing.
Will my rates go up?
Nope! This merger is about uniting our two firms for the purpose of providing our clients with access to a more robust service line and a highly regarded team of industry experts – not raising rates. You will see absolutely no negative changes in the service you currently receive, your fees or your service team.
How do I contact my CPA?
Even though we’ve merged, all phone numbers will remain the same. So you can continue to use the number you’ve always used to call up your CPA.
That being said, after Nov. 1, the email addresses of the Walthall team will change. We will make an effort to notify those who will be impacted by the change, but if you are still unsure, team email addresses are set up in the following way:
[first name].[last name]@reacpa.com
For example, if you would like to contact Rick Lash, president of the firm’s Northeast region, the email address you would use is rick.lash@reacpa.com.
If you have additional questions, we are happy to answer any question you may have. Give us a call!
Cleveland: 216.573.2330
Amherst: 440.984.2441
Mentor: 440.255.4300
Wooster: 330.264.9750
To visit us online, go to www.reacpa.com.
Will members of the Walthall team be moving?
Walthall’s Mentor and Wooster offices will combine with the existing Rea offices in those locations. The offices are located at:
Mentor office7201 Center St. |
Wooster office545 North Market Street |
In Amherst and Independence/Cleveland, the team will continue seeing clients from their current locations. These offices are located at:
Amherst office197 North Leavitt Rd. |
Independence/Cleveland office6300 Rockside Rd. |
What will the combined firm be called?
Both Rea & Associates and Walthall CPAs have established a strong brand presence throughout the community, which is why the offices in Independence, Amherst and Mentor will operate as Walthall Rea during the merger transition, beginning Nov. 1. In Wooster, the combined team will adopt the Rea & Associates name immediately. To visit us online, go to www.reacpa.com.
Who is Rea & Associates?
Rea is a full-service CPA and advisory firm serving a diverse client base.
For nearly 80 years, Rea has proved itself as a top-notch Ohio firm. We truly focus on helping clients find solutions to the issues they face.
Rea has 250 employees in 10 offices across the state, both in rural and metropolitan areas (Mentor, Wooster, New Philadelphia, Millersburg, Marietta, Dublin, Cambridge, Medina and Lima). With Walthall, Rea will now have offices in Amherst and Independence as well, bringing our total office count to 13 with 300 employees.
Who is Walthall CPAs?
Walthall has a steady history of growth and an unblemished reputation as a solid firm that provides outstanding service. None of that will change.
Walthall has been recognized for its professional achievements over the years, such as a Plain Dealer Top Workplace six times, Business Longevity award by Smart Business Cleveland, We AAM to Serve award by the Association for Accounting Marketing in 2017, and more. Walthall is a Top 20 firm in Northeast Ohio.
Walthall CEO Rick Lash will become president of Rea’s Northeastern Ohio region and will join the board of directors.
Do I need to do anything?
Nope! There is nothing you need to do as a result of this merger other than continue to reach out to us if you have any questions or concerns. In the meantime, you can visit www.reacpa.com for a wealth of content and insight. From frequent blog posts to weekly podcast episodes, a client portal and a wealth of financial calculators and tools, you are sure to find tips and practices to help facilitate even greater business success.