BlumShapiro has chosen Joseph Kask as the Connecticut-based accounting firm’s next managing partner, effective Jan. 1, 2016.
Kask will succeed Carl Johnson, who has served as managing partner of the firm for the past 14 years, according to an email Monday from BlumShapiro’s partners.
“Under Carl’s leadership, our firm has enjoyed significant growth, enabling us to create a robust suite of services to meet the growing and changing needs of our clients,” they wrote.
Kask began his career with BlumShapiro in 2007, after the firm merged with Scully & Wolf LLP, a public sector accounting and tax firm located in Glastonbury, Conn. For the past several years, he has served as leader of BlumShapiro’s Government Services Group and office managing partner of the West Hartford headquarters. He has also served on several of the firm’s strategic leadership committees, including two terms on the Executive Committee.
Kask and Johnson have been working closely in recent weeks to ensure a smooth transition. Beginning Jan. 1, 2016, when Kask becomes managing partner, Johnson will assume the role of chief operating officer and will focus on internal operations, M&A and talent acquisition.
Under Johnson’s leadership, the firm has grown from 125 people in one location to the largest accounting, tax and business advisory firm in New England, with 429 employees in six offices throughout Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island. “We are grateful for all that Carl has helped us accomplish and for his counsel through this transition,” said the partners.
BlumShapiro ranked 52nd on Accounting Today’s 2015 list of the Top 100 Firms, with $68.5 million in annual revenue, and the top firm on the 2015 Regional Leaders list for New England.
Allan D. Koltin, CEO of Koltin Consulting Group, who advised BlumShapiro on the leadership transition, commented, “Carl was instrumental in making Blum the largest regional firm in New England and one of the most respected firms in the country. Joe Kask will be an exceptional leader going forward and has the perfect mix of skills and talents to lead the firm into the future.”
