Written by Dean Krech, Managing Partner
Expanding its presence in East Tennessee, Top-500 Chattanooga CPA firm JHM Certified Public Accountants (JHM) has merged in the well-respected CPA firm of Harting, Bishop & Arrendale (HBA) in Cleveland, TN. The combined firm will eventually operate under the name of JHM Certified Public Accountants, providing the same excellent personal service Cleveland companies and individuals have long enjoyed from HBA.
“We were very familiar with the importance HBA placed on deep personal relationships with their clientele and are sincerely humbled and honored to expand on these relationships”, JHM Managing Partner Dean Krech stated. “JHM was built on providing the highest level of service and our cultural match with HBA could not be better aligned. From my very initial meeting with partners Kelvin Bishop and Tommy Arrendale, it was clear that HBA epitomized JHM’s core values, and this merger aligns perfectly with JHM’s intentions of further expansion in the Southeast.”
HBA’s 40 years of expertise in Cleveland ranges from audits, financial statements, income taxes, estate planning, and financial planning and advisory services.
“Being a native of Bradley County and Cleveland, after graduating with an accounting degree it was always my goal to serve our community by practicing public accounting in a local firm” HBA’s Bishop stated. “I had a passion to build client relationships and help our clients achieve their financial goals. Over 30 years ago I joined what was then Harting and Bishop, CPAs. I, Lil Harting, and a secretary began serving local businesses and individuals. As Cleveland has grown over the years so has our practice. We welcomed new team members and partners, and we grew our client base to serve local clients as well as clients across the Southeast, even branching out to further regions in the United States.”
JHM’s added presence in the Cleveland market will bring Cleveland-area companies additional expertise in construction, manufacturing, not-for-profit, real estate, healthcare and governmental sectors, as well as additional layers of advisory services for companies, nonprofits, municipalities and individuals. JHM is also a proud member of the large firm alliance CPAmerica, which provides further resources and expertise for its clients.
Founded in 1977, JHM is a third generation firm, consistently recognized as a leader in its niche markets, company culture and high ethical business practices. The Firm also proudly gives back a percentage of its revenues to numerous local nonprofits, adhering to its Hearts that Serve core value. JHM was the winner of the 2022 Better Business Bureau Torch Award for Business Ethics, and has twice recently been named a finalist for the Chattanooga Chamber’s Small Business of the Year.
HBA’s Arrendale stated “Our team, led by the same dedicated professionals our clients have come to know and trust, will continue to serve with the highest level of expertise and care.
We are not going anywhere. It’s important to emphasize that despite this merger, our core values and dedication to personalized attention remain unchanged. We understand the unique circumstances and goals of each of our clients, and will continue to be here as we have always been to meet their needs.”
Bishop added, “I’ve been blessed to serve clients that have become friends and be surrounded by an amazing team. This merger with JHM creates tremendous opportunities for our diverse and growing client base and our team members. JHM checked every box regarding having a passion for client relationships and a family environment that promotes growth for our team. The affiliation with the CPAmerica Alliance will prove to be an addition that serves our clients well.
The merger brings JHM Certified Public Accountants to approximately 70 team members.
