When Erin Stahmer and David Wurtzbacher founded Ascend, they aimed to unite smaller CPA firms under a single platform for growth. Partnering with Alpine PeopleFirst, they designed a workshop to establish core values and strategies, resulting in the PeopleFirst program that helps new firms align their vision and goals within months of joining Ascend.

Ascend, backed by Alpine Investors, acquired LevitZacks' San Diego advisory practice. Non-attest services will be handled by LevitZacks Corporation under Ascend, while attest services remain with a separate CPA firm. The partnership brings 9 partners and 51 staff to Ascend, fostering growth while maintaining independence.

Ascend, backed by Alpine Investors, was featured in Accounting Today's 2024 list of Top 100 Firms for expanding its platform with new partners like Blackman & Sloop and TSS Advisors. The partnerships enhance firm growth while preserving their unique cultures.

To support its rapid growth, Ascend has appointed Nishaad Ruparel as President, a new role created as the company surpassed $100 million in revenue in less than a year since its launch.

Ascend's David Wurtzbacher and Erin Stahmer joined the Small Firm Philosophy podcast to discuss their strategies for transforming accounting firms, focusing on people management, offshoring, and enhancing service value.

Backed by Alpine Investors, Ascend has expanded its platform with new partnerships in Ohio, California, and Texas, including HD Davis, PP&Co, and two south Texas firms. These collaborations offer firms growth resources while preserving their unique cultures.

David Wurtzbacher doesn’t just talk about putting people first, he lives it. He believes that an excellent business has the power to lift people up and transform their lives.

Ascend was recently highlighted on the CPA Practice Advisor website for its inclusion in the "20 Under 40" awards, recognizing David Wurtzbacher, Founder & CEO, as one of the top young influencers in accounting.

Aaron Dawson, inspired by his family's CPA legacy, started as a tax manager at Clark Nuber in Seattle and served on the Washington State Society of CPAs Board. Later, he and his wife, Jen, acquired Opsahl, Shepp and Company from his mentor, George Opsahl.

Ascend's first Partner Summit in San Antonio brought together leaders from partner firms across the country to celebrate their shared vision of growth, independence, and a PeopleFirst culture, solidifying Ascend's platform as a new model for the accounting industry.

Ascend's CEO, David Wurtzbacher, appeared on Accounting Today's Small Firm Philosophy podcast to discuss why managing partners should focus on leading their firms rather than managing client work.

Less than a year after founding Ascend, CEO David Wurtzbacher has been named one of Accounting Today's "2023 Top 100 Most Influential People" for his innovative work creating a growth platform that helps mid-market accounting firms remain independent while accessing large-firm resources.

Ascend announced its ninth partnership of 2023, acquiring the tax and consulting business of Atlanta-based Wilson Lewis, marking its first expansion into the Southeast and pushing its revenue above $100 million.

Goering & Granatino of Overland Park, Kansas, has received an investment from Ascend, marking its eighth acquisition and expanding Ascend’s footprint into the Midwest with 40 new professionals joining its platform.

Just nine months after merging with Ascend, Opsahl Dawson & Co. Advisors LLC has completed two acquisitions and expanded its leadership team with a new Chief Growth Officer, adding two locations and 33 professionals to its team.

Erin Stahmer, Ascend's Chief People Officer, shares her journey and insights on building a people-first culture at Ascend in her feature story on Alpine Investors' website.

Ascend CEO David Wurtzbacher explains in an interview with INSIDE Public Accounting how Ascend's approach contrasts with the traditional "big-to-big" private equity model, focusing instead on investing in entrepreneurial regional accounting firms and prioritizing the employee experience.

Accounting Today's 2023 MP Elite list recognizes top managing partners and firm leaders who are innovating and adapting to meet the evolving needs of the accounting profession, focusing on leadership, culture, and engagement to drive growth and success​.

Ascend has acquired Sentient Solutions for Accounting, an offshore provider with offices in India and Mexico, to serve as a dedicated resource for its high-growth partner firms. Sentient offers outsourced tax, assurance, and client accounting services, and develops AI tools to enhance CPA efficiency.

Ascend’s new private equity-backed platform is transforming regional accounting firms like LMC by allowing leaders to focus on growth and client relationships, rather than administrative tasks, while maintaining firm independence.