Wyoming-based accounting firm McGee, Hearne & Paiz (MHP) has officially become a member of Ascend, a private equity-backed platform that partners with regional accounting firms while allowing them to maintain independence, CPA Practice Advisor reports.
The partnership, effective February 1, is designed to support MHP’s growth by providing access to strategic resources.
Financial details of the agreement were not disclosed, but the collaboration adds 80 professionals, including 11 partners, to Ascend’s growing network.
Ascend, backed by private equity firm Alpine Investors, offers its partner firms growth capital, talent acquisition and training, AI-driven tools, back-office services, and leadership development resources. The company’s mission is to help regional CPA firms achieve growth without compromising their independence or client-focused culture.
David Wurtzbacher, founder and CEO of Ascend, praised MHP’s forward-thinking leadership:
“From our very first conversation with the partners at MHP, I was very impressed with the way they strived to see around corners. This is a great firm, so they deservedly had many suitors. But Ascend has a differentiated model and a lot of progress to point to that it is working.”
Brandy Marrou, now CEO of MHP Advisory Services, highlighted the changing landscape of public accounting and the need for proactive adaptation:
“The resources that we now have access to through Ascend will allow MHP to meet these challenges head on. Through this partnership, we will provide our people with broader access to professional development opportunities, cutting-edge technologies, and national resources, all of which will enhance our client service capabilities.”
Founded in the 1930s, MHP is the largest regional accounting firm in Wyoming, with a diverse range of services including audit, tax, trust planning, and advisory solutions for individuals, trusts, and closely held businesses. In addition to its Cheyenne headquarters, MHP operates an office in Fort Collins, Colorado.
As part of the partnership with Ascend, MHP has adopted an alternative practice structure, a common setup for CPA firms in private equity deals. Under this structure, non-attest services such as tax and business advisory will be provided by MHP Advisory Services LLC, while attest services will remain with McGee, Hearne & Paiz LLP, an independently owned CPA firm.
Marrou emphasized that the partnership allows MHP to remain rooted in its community while advancing its service capabilities:
“We are extremely proud of our firm’s legacy, community stewardship, and client service focus, all of which remain unwavering commitments of our firm’s leadership. Our partnership with Ascend will allow us to stay true to our Wyoming roots and maintain our independence and strong community presence while providing us the infrastructure, resources, and technology to take our client service to the next level.”
