Herbein Announces Acquisition of Watterson & Associates
Herbein Announces Acquisition of Watterson & Associates
Herbein and Chagrin Falls, Ohio based WAI to join forces, bringing clients access to organizational psychology services
Herbein + Company, Inc. (Herbein), a leading CPA advisory firm, announced today it has acquired the Chagrin Falls, Ohio based organizational psychology firm Watterson & Associates, Inc. (WAI). The effective date of the transaction was October 1, 2022.
Founded in 1996, WAI strategically partners with companies to manage employee development needs. Organizations turn to WAI for expert advice on making strong hiring decisions, sustaining employee development, and ultimately, realizing a long-term return on investment. This develops sound succession planning with management and leadership growth processes.
As part of Herbein, WAI will initially operate as a Herbein division called Herbein | Watterson Talent Solutions. In January 2024, the division will operate as Herbein Talent Solutions.
“As we all know, the nature of the workplace is rapidly changing – and as companies and organizations adapt to their next normal, organizational psychologists have an important role to play in the post-pandemic era. As business leaders look for an edge that will put their companies ahead and make their teams more efficient, we are excited to add this vital resource to our portfolio of client services,” said Herbein Managing Partner David W. Stonesifer, CPA.
WAI is led by Dr. Gary Kustis, a nationally recognized expert in organizational psychology and business, and the team’s operations vice president Kristin Smith. Kustis and Smith will join Herbein | Watterson Talent Solutions as partners. They collaborate with a team of freelance consultants, and are supported by founder Dr. David Watterson, who will remain as an advisory consultant. Internationally recognized for its expertise in pre-placement evaluation, on-boarding and development, WAI provides personalized coaching, and candidate assessment and training using both industry-wide and proprietary tools and interviewing techniques.
Celebrating its 50th year in business in 2022, Herbein has a strong plan for continued success, which includes organic growth, and an accelerated pace of mergers and acquisitions. “We’re excited to be joining Herbein as it reaches this milestone of a half-century of business success. With Herbein’s vision and the foundation laid by Dr. Dave Watterson, we’re ready to get started on the next 50 years,” said Gary Kustis.
“We are laser focused on helping our clients succeed with confidence and having an organizational psychology team of this caliber in our firm is absolutely aligned with our mission. Establishing a presence in northeast Ohio will open new opportunities for our Western PA locations, in particular – and we also expect WAI will be highly complementary to our successful Herbein | Mosteller HR Consulting division,” commented Stonesifer.
About Herbein + Company, Inc.
Herbein + Company, Inc. (Herbein) is a leading CPA advisory firm whose professionals specialize in creating impact for clients, helping them succeed with confidence today and tomorrow. With offices in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, Herbein is an independent member of Allinial Global, an accounting firm association of legally independent accounting and consulting firms with offices in North America and throughout the world.
