Best tax and accounting firms earn their reputation through client trust, industry expertise, and peer recognition. In 2021, Forbes partnered with market research company Statista to identify the most recommended firms for tax and accounting services across the United States, and Pease Bell (then Pease & Associates) was among them.
This recognition placed Pease Bell alongside 277 other firms selected through surveys of both tax and accounting professionals and their clients. Being named to the Forbes list is a meaningful benchmark for any CPA firm, and it reflects the kind of consistent service quality that businesses and individuals rely on when choosing a tax advisor for tax advisory services.
How Forbes selects the best tax and accounting firms
Forbes developed its Best Tax and Accounting Firms list by partnering with Statista, one of the world’s leading market research companies. The methodology relied on two independent survey channels: recommendations from tax and accounting professionals who evaluated firms other than their own, and feedback from clients who rated the firms they had worked with directly.
Out of the 278 firms that made the final list, 250 earned recommendations for tax services, 200 were recognized for accounting services, and 172 received recognition in both categories. This dual-track evaluation process ensured that the firms selected were not simply self-promoted but genuinely valued by the professionals and clients who interact with them.
The Forbes recognition carries weight because it is rooted in real-world experience rather than advertising spend or firm size alone. For businesses searching for the best tax advisory firms, the list serves as a credible, third-party-validated starting point.
CPAmerica member firms lead the Forbes recognition
One of the most notable takeaways from the 2021 Forbes list is the strong showing by CPAmerica member firms. Thirty-eight CPAmerica members, more than 40 percent of the association’s membership, earned a place on the list. That level of representation underscores the quality standards that CPAmerica sets for its network.
CPAmerica is an accounting association composed of independent CPA firms united by four goals: continuous improvement, profitability, strong inter-firm relationships, and professional prestige. As a member of Crowe Global, the eighth largest global accounting network, CPAmerica connects over 287 firms across 130 countries with combined revenue of $4.4 billion.
For clients evaluating top CPA firms in the US, the CPAmerica affiliation is a useful signal. Member firms gain access to shared resources, best practices, and a global network that many standalone practices cannot match on their own.
Which CPAmerica firms made the Forbes 2021 list
The 38 CPAmerica member firms recognized in the Forbes 2021 Best Tax and Accounting Firms list span nearly every region of the United States. The full roster includes:
- 415 Group in Canton, Ohio
- Aldrich Group in Portland, Oregon
- Aldridge Borden & Company in Montgomery, Alabama
- Anglin Reichmann Armstrong, P.C. in Huntsville, Alabama
- Beasley, Mitchell & Co., LLP in Las Cruces, New Mexico
- Brickley DeLong, PC in Muskegon, Michigan
- Brock, Schechter & Polakoff, LLP in Buffalo, New York
- Cg Tax, Audit & Advisory in Toms River, New Jersey
- Cooper Norman CPAs & Business Advisors in Idaho Falls, Idaho
- Coulter & Justus, P.C. in Knoxville, Tennessee
- CS&L CPAs in Bradenton, Florida
- Dennis, Gartland & Niergarth in Traverse City, Michigan
- DMJ & Co., PLLC in Greensboro, North Carolina
- EFPR Group, LLP in Rochester, New York
- Frankel Zacharia, LLC in Omaha, Nebraska
- Frazier & Deeter, LLC in Atlanta, Georgia
- Gollob Morgan Peddy PC in Tyler, Texas
- Gray, Gray & Gray, LLP in Canton, Massachusetts
- GRF CPAs & Advisors in Bethesda, Maryland
- Hagen, Kurth, Perman & Co., P.S. in Seattle, Washington
- Hughes Pittman & Gupton, LLP in Raleigh, North Carolina
- JamisonMoneyFarmer PC in Tuscaloosa, Alabama
- Kassouf & Co., P.C. in Birmingham, Alabama
- Larson & Company, PC in Sandy, Utah
- Maxwell Locke & Ritter LLP in Austin, Texas
- MHCS in West Des Moines, Iowa
- Nail McKinney P A in Tupelo, Mississippi
- N&K CPAs, Inc. in Honolulu, Hawaii
- Packer Thomas in Canfield, Ohio
- Pease & Associates, LLC in Cleveland, Ohio
- Robinson, Grimes & Company, P.C. in Columbus, Georgia
- SME CPAs in Augusta, Georgia
- Teal, Becker & Chiaramonte, CPAs, P.C. in Albany, New York
- Thomas Howell Ferguson, P.A. in Tallahassee, Florida
- Thompson Greenspon in Fairfax, Virginia
- Wall, Einhorn & Chernitzer, P.C. in Norfolk, Virginia
- Wallace, Plese + Dreher, L.L.P. in Chandler, Arizona
- Wegner CPAs in Madison, Wisconsin
The geographic diversity of this list is striking. From Hawaii to New York and from Texas to Wisconsin, the recognized firms serve clients in markets of every size. That breadth reflects the range of tax and accounting needs across the country and the ability of mid-market CPA firms to compete with much larger national practices.
Why the Forbes recognition matters for Pease Bell clients
Pease Bell’s inclusion on the Forbes best tax and accounting firms list provides concrete, third-party validation of the firm’s service quality. For prospective clients evaluating accounting firms in Cleveland and beyond, this recognition offers reassurance that the firm meets national standards for both tax and accounting services excellence.
The distinction is especially meaningful because it comes from peer and client surveys rather than self-nomination. When professionals in the industry recommend a firm independently, it reflects genuine respect for the quality of work being produced.
That respect spans the full range of services clients depend on, from tax planning to audit and assurance services. A recognition that draws on both tax and accounting recommendations signals depth across disciplines, not strength in a single area. For closely held businesses and growing companies, that breadth often matters more than headline ranking, because the same firm can support reporting, compliance, and strategic decisions year-round.
Pease Bell combines the attentive, personalized service of a boutique firm with the resources and technical depth that come from CPAmerica membership and the Crowe Global network. This balance, what the firm describes as “Full Service. Boutique Touch.”, positions Pease Bell to serve businesses that need sophisticated tax advisory services without the impersonal experience that often accompanies larger national firms.
How to choose an accounting firm that fits your needs
Selecting the right CPA firm involves more than comparing fees. The Forbes methodology offers a useful framework: look for firms that are recommended by both peers and clients. Beyond that, consider whether the firm has experience in your industry, offers the specific services you need (tax planning, audit, advisory), and maintains affiliations with professional networks that expand their capabilities. The American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) also publishes guidance that can help you assess whether a firm follows recognized professional standards.
Third-party recognitions like the Forbes list, membership in associations such as CPAmerica, and participation in global networks are all indicators that a firm invests in maintaining high standards. These credentials do not guarantee a perfect fit for every client, but they narrow the field to firms that have demonstrated consistent quality over time.
For businesses in Ohio and the broader Midwest, Pease Bell represents a strong option among the best accounting firms in America, one that has been independently validated by Forbes and backed by a global professional network.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Forbes Best Tax and Accounting Firms list?
The Forbes Best Tax and Accounting Firms list is an annual ranking created by Forbes in partnership with Statista. It identifies the most recommended tax and accounting firms in the United States based on surveys of accounting professionals and their clients, rather than firm-submitted applications.
How did Pease Bell earn a spot on the Forbes list?
Pease Bell (then Pease & Associates) was recognized through independent surveys in which tax and accounting professionals and clients recommended firms they considered among the best. The firm was one of 278 practices selected for the 2021 list.
What is CPAmerica, and why does membership matter?
CPAmerica is an association of independent CPA firms focused on continuous improvement, profitability, and professional prestige. Membership gives firms access to shared resources, training, and a global network through Crowe Global. Thirty-eight CPAmerica member firms, over 40 percent of the association, appeared on the 2021 Forbes list.
How many firms were on the Forbes 2021 list?
Forbes identified 278 firms in total. Of those, 250 were recommended for tax services, 200 for accounting services, and 172 for both. The list covers firms of all sizes across the United States.
What services does Pease Bell offer?
Pease Bell provides tax advisory services, audit and assurance, and business consulting. The firm operates under the “Full Service. Boutique Touch.” philosophy, combining deep technical expertise with personalized client relationships.
How should I evaluate a CPA firm before hiring one?
Look for firms with third-party recognitions, strong client references, relevant industry experience, and professional network memberships. The Forbes list methodology, which relies on peer and client recommendations, is a useful model for evaluating quality beyond marketing claims. The IRS also offers practical tips for verifying a preparer’s credentials before you hire.
