Accounting Today Again Names Ascend Founder & CEO David Wurtzbacher One of the Industry’s Top 100 Most Influential People
DECEMBER 6, 2024 (Arlington, VA) – Accounting Today named David Wurtzbacher, CEO of Ascend, one of the industry’s Top 100 Most Influential People of 2024. It is the second consecutive recognition for Mr. Wurtzbacher since launching Ascend in January 2023.
Ascend is a strategic partner for regional accounting and advisory firms backed by private equity firm Alpine Investors. Ascend’s platform enables regional firms with between $15 and $50 million of revenue, committed leadership, great cultures, and a big vision for the future to remain independent while accessing the sophisticated resources of a larger firm to overcome the challenges of the traditional CPA partnership model and reach their full potential.
Accounting Today wrote: “The private equity model Wurtzbacher pioneered with Ascend — where regional firms operate more or less independently while getting major support and resources from the center — is proving one of the most successful in the field, drawing in a steady stream of firms and support, even as he continues to make innovations in the model and services offered.”
“I extend Accounting Today’s recognition right back out to our partner firms and our team at Ascend. It is their collective effort that has turned our vision for revitalizing the profession into an exhilarating reality. I am thankful for the folks at Accounting Today who have recognized Ascend in this way and who have illuminated all of the issues and opportunities we seek to address though our model,” Wurtzbacher said.
Accounting Today’s editors said, “The 2024 Top 100 People are beacons of relevancy, as all of this year’s honorees were chosen for their influence over the past six months and presumed impact over the next six…The most common theme from the Top 100 was hoping to have inspired and encouraged others.”
On this point, Mr. Wurtzbacher said, “Professionally, I want Ascend to be known as a Top 20 firm that revitalized the profession by creating a new model for public accounting that attracted and developed the most engaged employees in the industry. It’s a problem that young people aren’t joining our ranks like they used to; I want to make accounting a dream job again, so that people in our country have the trusted advisors they need.”
About Ascend
Backed by private equity from people-focused Alpine Investors, Ascend is building a dynamic platform for regional accounting firms that enables them to stay independent while accessing the resources of a larger firm to help them grow. Ascend provides access to growth capital, robust talent acquisition and training, leading quality management resources, best-of-breed technology, AI tools, an offshore captive, shared back-office services, a catalytic leadership system, and modernized equity incentives so that firms can surmount today’s industry challenges to reach their full potential. Founded in January 2023, Ascend has executed over 20 transactions in public accounting and is projected to be a top 30 firm by revenue in 2024. Founder & CEO David Wurtzbacher was named by Accounting Today as one of the Top 100 Most Influential People in Accounting. For more information, visit www.ascendtogether.com.
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Contact:
Julie Gross Gelfand
(516) 729-8067