CHICAGO & CLEVELAND & MILWAUKEE & NEW YORK & PITTSBURGH--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Cohen & Company is pleased to announce its continuing growth and service expansion with the opening of its office in downtown Chicago, Illinois and several significant management-level hires. The firm recently announced it had merged with Arthur Bell CPAs to create the premier, full service accounting and consulting practice supporting asset managers with the best talent, technical expertise and client service approach. This announcement illustrates Cohen & Company’s follow-through on that strategy.
Expansion into Chicago
As a leading U.S. financial marketplace, Chicago is home to many of Cohen & Company’s existing clients. The new office is led by Vince Curttright, an audit partner formerly with a large, national firm. Vince brings over 15 years of experience specializing in domestic and offshore investment partnerships/companies, registered investment advisers and proprietary trading firms. Vince’s clients spanned both public and private entities in the financial services industry, and have ranged from start-ups to multi-billion dollar entities with a variety of trading strategies, including commodity funds, long/short equity, private equity, cryptoassets, derivative instruments, fixed income and more.
Having a brick and mortar office located at 101 N. Wacker Dr. represents the firm’s commitment to its growth strategy in the investment industry space. Chicago is a hub of the investment community and home to a significant number of commodity trading advisors, hedge funds, private equity funds, mutual funds and exchange-traded funds.
Chris Bellamy, Co-President, Investment Industry Services, stated, “The next logical step in our growth strategy was to solidify our presence in the Chicago area. With public and private fund clients already in Chicago, being present in the marketplace allows us to provide a deeper level of service and expertise. Chicago makes perfect sense for us – it’s a stronghold for the financial markets specifically in the alternative investment area, and that is a major focus for Cohen & Company.”
New Hires Deepen Hedge Fund, Private Equity & Valuation Expertise
Cohen & Company enhances its resources and expertise with the hiring of Josh Lefcowitz, partner, to lead the firm’s valuation practice. Josh joins Cohen & Company with more than 15 years of public accounting experience providing valuation, forensic accounting and dispute advisory services for a wide array of purposes. Josh’s experience encompasses serving clients across a range of industry sectors, including investment funds - offering valuation services for Level 1, 2 and 3 assets. In addition, he has experience related to business valuations and other services associated with intangible assets, purchase price allocations, intellectual property, oil and natural gas rights, and goodwill impairment testing. Josh will support the firm’s private company and investment industry clients, and will be located in the Pittsburgh office.
In addition to Vince and Josh, the firm is pleased to announce several management-level hires from other large national and international firms. Bill Yahara, joins the firm’s New York office as a tax director, with over 15 years of public accounting experience working on clients in the alternative investment industry. Joining Bill in the New York office is John Passantino as a senior audit manager. John’s prior experience with a national firm focused on hedge funds, private equity funds, funds of funds, management companies, and broker-dealers. Lastly, furthering the development of the tax services team in the Milwaukee office is Jim Rosing, tax manager, with experience that spans both public accounting and tax administration services for hedge funds, mutual funds and private equity funds, with a particular focus on international tax issues.
With the added expertise in the areas of alternative investments and valuation, Cohen & Company is well positioned to support the growing demand for services in all sectors of the investment industry. For example, in addition to managing the firm’s Chicago initiatives, Vince will be an integral part of expanding the firm’s foothold within traditional hedge funds and private equity funds.
Corey McLaughlin, Co-President, Investment Industry Services, explained, “When Arthur Bell merged with Cohen & Company, we knew that the combination of our firms and strengths would create new opportunities. We identified the Chicago market, private equity and valuation as strategic growth opportunities for the firm. Working together as a cohesive team, we were able to identify the right resources that are the right fit for our clients and our firm. We are pleased to welcome all of these individuals to the leadership team.”
About
Cohen & Company offers a full range of accounting, tax, and consulting services to clients throughout the U.S. and worldwide. The firm serves dynamic, privately held companies and their owners; and the investment industry, including registered and non-registered funds. Rooted in technical excellence, Cohen & Company is driven every day to listen, engage, and deliver sustainable value. The firm was founded in 1977; has more than 600 associates in Illinois, Ohio, Maryland, Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin; has an international presence in the Cayman Islands and Ireland; and is ranked as one of the top accounting firms in the country. Learn more at cohencpa.com.
Cohen & Company’s Investment Industry Services Division is focused on comprehensive audit, attest, tax, and consulting services exclusively for the investment industry. Our national client base includes mutual funds, hedge funds, private equity, exchange traded funds, commodity pools, investment advisers, fund service providers, high net worth individuals, trusts, and foundations. We have a customized, focused audit approach and deep tax expertise. But what makes us different is our culture built on energy, discipline, results, and—most importantly—personal commitment to our clients. Member PCAOB.
