Walthall CPAs merging with Rea and Associates

Walthall, a full service regional certified public accounting and business advisory firm that has served the Cleveland area for 70 years, has merged with Rea & Associates.

The merger will take effect Nov. 1.

“The two firms have a cultural fit,” said Rick Lash of Walthall. “I feel that’s important with all mergers that take place.

“The culture and the values need to be the same in order for the merger to be a success.”

Don McIntosh of Rea & Associates said the merger will equally help both parties.

“We’re always looking to see how Rea can get better and improve our services,” McIntosh said. “We wanted to get into the Cleveland area, and it only made sense to merge with Walthall.

“They had a similar culture and were already well established within the area.”

McIntosh said in return Rea & Associates, which has locations in Medina, Dublin and Wooster, would provide the resources of a larger firm.

“Walthall has great relationships here, and we’re looking to help build on that by providing the talent and the ability to expand to more locations in the area,” he said.

Lash said the changes only will improve the client’s experience.

“We now have a combined 150 years of CPA experience between the two companies, and we seek to create more business in this area,” he said. “It will be business as usual for the clients.

“They won’t lose services, they’ll only gain them. We also won’t force these services on our clients. Any additional services can be declined based on client preference.”

The new services will include investment partner, focused CFO, payroll, pension advisory and ADCA consulting services to name a few, according to Lash.

“We’ve been working hard in Amherst for seven years now,” he said. “With Rea’s depth, we’ll be able to expand what we’re able to do in this community.”

McIntosh said they will seek to be both a trusted advisor and the CPA firm with the best portfolio in the area.

“Rea’s role isn’t to come in and take over,” he said. “My role will be more of a supportive one which will improve how the two firms will be able to serve the Cleveland area.”

“We now have a combined 150 years of CPA experience between the two companies..” — Rick Lash of Walthall