This year, Bellevue-based Sweeney Conrad, PS is celebrating 40 years as a locally-owned accounting firm. What once was a small firm has grown to an award-winning mid-sized firm of roughly 100 employees providing tax, audit and client accounting services to privately held businesses and individuals. Current Managing Shareholder, John Forrest attributes the firm’s growth to the foundation set by the founding shareholders. “The success of Sweeney Conrad is a direct result of the foundation that was built 40 year ago. We have always been a firm focused on “people first.” This begins with our employees, is reflected in our client relationships, and extends out into the community in which we work and live.”
In 1980, after over a decade of working at large national firms, certified public accountants Dennis Conrad, Mike Sweeney, Doug Klan, Kermit Anderson, and Ken Johnson (who were soon joined by a sixth accountant, Fred Shanafelt) identified a need in the Eastside business community. “We saw an opportunity to provide principal-to-principal, owner-to-owner accounting services to privately owned companies in our area,” says founder Dennis Conrad. “We were able to provide sophisticated services and build personal relationships with a business sector that was clearly being under served by the Big Eight Firms.”
Mike Sweeney reflects, “Sweeney Conrad was built on more than just numbers. It was built on relationships. We understand the needs of business owners, because we ARE business owners. We have been providing that same level of service and expertise to our clients now for 40 years.”
Sweeney Conrad serves clients across a variety of industries including real estate, manufacturing and distribution, professional services and restaurant and hospitality. In its 40 year history, Sweeney Conrad has received numerous awards including being named the #1 Best Firm to Work for in America by Accounting Today in 2016. Follow the celebration and learn more about the services Sweeney Conrad provides at www.sweeneyconrad.com.