When the clock struck twelve on New Year’s Eve, ringing in 2023, the partners and staff of Baum, Smith & Clemens, LLP, the local Certified Public Accounting and Business Advisory Firm had something special to celebrate – the beginning of the company’s 50th year in business.

Established in 1973 as Lawrence & Baum, the firm changed names in 1984 to Baum, Smith & Clemens when Richard Baum invited Judy Smith and Tim Clemens to become partners with him. It has since grown to seven times its original size, from a four-person staff to one that today has more than 28 professional and support staff members. The range of services provided by the firm has also expanded in that time. Today, in addition to tax preparation services, they offer income and estate tax planning, personal financial planning, structuring of sales and purchases of businesses, accounting, audits, and attest and management advisory services.

Their staff works with individuals and businesses, both start-up and established, serving a broad cross-section of clients that includes manufacturers, contractors, rental companies, service companies, professional groups, and not-for-profit organizations. A partner in the firm and an in-charge accountant are assigned to every account, matching the professional to the client to provide the desired level of technical expertise. Through this approach, they can maintain the personal contact associated with a small accounting firm and provide the client with the professional and technical knowledge usually found only within a large firm.

Establishing and maintaining relationships has been a key factor in the firm’s growth. “A lot of our clients have been with us for a long time,” according to Gary Schultz, managing partner of the firm. Having those relationships that have grown over the years will help the firm transition those clients to the next generation of partners. Retaining clients long-term is strengthened by keeping staff long-term. The firm encourages all employees to maintain a healthy work/life balance.

Baum, Smith & Clemens, LLP is the Harleysville affiliate of CPAmerica International, an exclusive association of more than 80 full-service, independent accounting and consulting firms across the United States that share industry-specific knowledge, training programs, practice management techniques and numerous other services.

Their office is located at 2060 Detwiler Road in Harleysville. All CPAs in the firm are members of both the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants. The firm is a charter member of the Private Companies Practice Section of the American Institute of Certified Public Accounts.