Wipfli acquires Williams Young consulting firm

Northwestern Financial Review, Nov 15-Nov 30, 2003

Financial industry consultants Williams Young, LLC and Wipfli LLP have joined forces in a merger effective November 1, 2003. The combined firm is now one of the top 20 accounting and consulting firms in the nation and the second-largest in Wisconsin.

"Madison is a place we need to be," said Greg Barber, managing partner for Wipfli, which is headquartered in Wausau, Wis., and now has 17 offices in Wisconsin and Minnesota. "When we considered our options for extending our presence into this market, we looked hard for an existing firm with strong capabilities and a bright future to work with."

Adding Williams Young's staff of 80 brings Wipfli's total employee roster to 600. Combined revenue for the merged firms for 2003 is projected to be $80 million.

"Williams Young possesses an array of unique assets that really resonate within this community, chief among which is Bill Young himself," said Barber. "For this reason, the Madison office will operate under the name Wipfli Young."

Bill Young, who will continue to serve as head of the firm's Madison office and who will hold a seat on Wipfli's executive committee said, "From our very early discussions with Wipfii, it was clear that we were trying to achieve the same thing, namely to deliver a level of expertise and service to our clients that sets us apart from our competitors," said Young. "As a combined entity, we will be able to do this with greater efficiency and, frankly, we'll be able to achieve greater penetration in the markets in which we do business."