HBK Broadens Reach with Acquisitions

By David J. Blasko, Principal-in-Charge for Northeast Ohio
CANFIELD – Our 70th anniversary year was one of unparalleled growth as we expanded services in the information technology/cloud computing, leadership coaching and risk advisory services areas. 

Additionally, we extended our reach into specified professional services we offer by industry. These include construction, manufacturing, health-care and cannabis. 

We acquired the former Unicom Solutions Group of Mountainside, N.J., and broadened our team with expansions in Meadville, Pa., Sarasota and West Palm Beach, Fla., and the Greater Philadelphia region.

For the first time in our history, we launched a single corporate philanthropic initiative throughout the firm. While our offices continue to support their respective communities with sponsorships and volunteerism in many ways, this was the first time each office dedicated fundraising efforts throughout October exclusively to the Susan G. Komen Foundation, an organization dedicated to fighting breast cancer. As a result, nearly $10,000 was donated to the Komen Foundation.

There’s no question that artificial intelligence and the onset of myriad automated and computer-guided professional services will continue to figure prominently in our industry.

Our foray into deeper, more robust cyber and cloud-based services to help keep our clients, their customers, and their contacts safe in all financial, wealth management and business-related transactions is strategic. 

Additionally, as we have done with the cannabis industry, for example, we will continue to forecast areas of opportunity and growth for our clients and prospective clients and clearly sharpen our skill set in those areas of professional service. We are business advisers who offer far more than accounting and auditing services.

Here are our concerns:

• The onset of more services offered through artificial intelligence.
• The challenge of attracting the industry’s best and brightest away from the Big Four.
• The presence of cyber risk as we expand online options to our clients.

Our strategy is to align with firms that strengthen our palette of services by partnering with them and individuals who share our philosophy. 

We will also attract and retain the most qualified, passionate and motivated professionals to join our team. As such, we have added several vigorous recruiting programs to lure tomorrow’s brightest leaders to our firm.

Copyright 2024 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.