Alpine Investors announces partnership with Opsahl Dawson and launch of Ascend

Alpine Investors, a people-driven private equity firm, today announced the launch of Ascend, its newly formed platform that partners with entrepreneurial CPAs to usher in their next stage of growth. In concurrence with the launch, Ascend announced a strategic investment in the nonattest business of Opsahl Dawson, a leading Pacific Northwest firm headquartered in Vancouver, Washington. Terms of the private transaction were not disclosed.

Ascend has developed a modern approach to growth, partnership and practice management for the accounting industry. Regional firms remain independent, receive capital for investments in talent, mergers and technology and execute on their growth strategy with the support of Ascend’s leadership team. An innovative Path to Partnership program gives rising professionals better opportunity to benefit from Ascend’s expected growth than existing partnership structures offer today.

“Ascend is entering the industry at an all important time as firms face talent shortages, succession issues and a need for capital,” said David Wurtzbacher, Founder and CEO of Ascend. “Entrepreneurial CPAs who want to bring their firms into the future find themselves facing two less than ideal options today: maintain their traditional partnership structure which limits their ability to retain talent and invest in growth, or merge up and lose their independence and leadership role. We are pioneering a better model that empowers CPAs to reach their goals while preserving the culture and feel of their local firm. I am personally passionate about making a positive impact on this profession, which I see as a bedrock of society. I can think of no more important work.”

Originally founded in 1979, Opsahl Dawson was acquired in 2009 by Aaron and Jen Dawson who began their careers at Washington-based Clark Nuber and Clothier & Head, respectively. The firm has six shareholders, including Matt Lee who joined in 2010, and 68 other employees. It made #52 in Accounting Today’s 2022 Best Midsized Firms to Work For. “Aaron’s growth-minded, people-centric leadership is a perfect archetype of the leader we want to support,” said Wurtzbacher.