Dennis M. Echelbarger, CPA/CFF founded Echelbarger, Himebaugh, Tamm & Co. PC (EHTC) in 1977. Prior to this, Dennis spent eleven years as an employee and partner in another local CPA firm, and four years as the Chief Financial Officer of a large distributor in Grand Rapids, MI. Originally, he planned to remain a sole practitioner. He hired Diane L. Friar, CPA/ABV/CFF as his receptionist/secretary two weeks after opening his office. (Diane became the first administrative person to rise to the status of shareholder in 1985.)
The firm's first location was on 36th Street in Grand Rapids and Dennis' first partner was Nick Langenfeld. Subsequently, new partners replaced, Nick: Alan K. Himebaugh, CPA, Michael T. Tamm, CPA, and Richard E. Cummins, CPA. Some are no longer with the firm, but the name EHTC still thrives. Since inception, the firm has focused on the needs of mid-size businesses, and offered tax planning and preparations, audit and accounting services, and business consulting. The belief was to offer one-on-one customer services and concentrate on building winning relationships.
As the firm's client became more successful, business grew and so did the number of team members. Robin M. Stoner, CPA/MST joined the firm as an administrative assistant in 1985. She became a shareholder in 2004 (the second person to rise to shareholder status in the firm). David G. Echelbarger, CPA joined the firm as a staff accountant in the Audit and Accounting Department in 1986. Dave was aware of clients' requiements and needs for technology skills and information. Following his father's entrepreneurial spirit, Dave founded EHTC's Technology Solutions Division in 1986. In 1994, a strategic decision was made to collaborate with a select group of sortware vendors, including Microsoft Corporation.
EHTC Technology Solutions was initially formed to support the sales and marketing of this software and related solutions. Since then, it has evolved into a business technology consulting practice with many unique aspects. Efforts are no longer simply focused on the sales and support of specific software but include services such as data integration between systems, custom-developed software solutions, and in-depth expertise with Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems.
EHTC moved to its new and current office at 5136 Cascade Rd in 2000. Dave Echelbarger, CPA became a shareholder in 2004. Robert E. Milanowski was a subcontracted consultant for EHTC Technology Solutions for over ten years before becoming our newest shareholder in 2005.
The firm became an independent member of the BDO Seidman Alliance in 2007. We're also members of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (Private Company Practice Section, Audit Quality Center, Benefit Plan Audit Quality Center), Michigan Association of Certified Public Accountants, Financial Consulting Group, Information Technology Alliance, Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, The Better Business Bureau, and the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce.
The firm and its team members have received several awards over the past 30 years.
- Dennis Echelbarger has been awarded the Chair's Service Award in 2006 and 2009, the CPA Ambassador Pin in 2004, and the Outstanding Task Force Award in 2003 by the MACPA.
- Dave Echelbarger was honored by The CPA Technology Advisor as one of the top forty “Movers, Shakers, and Thought Leaders of Tomorrow” in 2006 and selected as one of West Michigan's Top Business Leaders under the age of 40 in 2004.
- The Technology Solutions Division has received 5 of Microsoft’s Pinnacle Awards, and has consistently been named one of Accounting Technology Today’s Pacesetter Award winners.
- In 1998, EHTC won the Pillar Award, which showcases local employers who empower women at work
Today, EHTC is one of the top 20 privately-owned local accounting firms in the West Michigan area. Our service areas now include a diverse array of niches, in addition to our traditional tax planning and preparation, audit, and accounting services. Our mission, honed since 1977, is simple and direct:
EHTC is dedicated to helping our customers and employees reach their potential.
