Long before the Jansen Valk Thompson Reahm story began, a core group of accounting, consulting and tax professionals worked together at Ernst and Young’s Kalamazoo office. Following a few strategic decisions on the part of the company, the local Ernst and Young (EY) office closed and merged with larger markets, giving the current leadership team an opportunity to continue to serve the remaining clients under a different umbrella.
In August 1994, Bob Jansen, Dave Furgason and Jim Valk started a brand-new accounting firm, with the support of a strong team of colleagues from EY and a healthy portfolio of existing clients. Jansen Furgason Valk was founded on three core principles:
- Provide clients with exceptional customer service and unparalleled access to the firm’s partners.
- Produce high-quality work done the right way, a result of strong technical experience.
- Equip team members with the skills and tools to do an excellent job, while providing opportunities, experiences and a positive environment for growth.
Throughout the course of the first decade, Jansen Furgason Valk continued to grow with Managing Principal, Bob Jansen at the helm. The firm’s expansion, success and fundamentals caught the attention of other accounting professionals in the local area and two new principals were added, Nan Thompson and Rich Reahm. In addition to growth in the number of clients and team members, areas of expertise flourished to include litigation support, business valuation, forensic accounting and auditing.
In 2004, one of the three founding principals, Dave Furgason left the firm to work for one of his clients in a role that allowed him to use his experience, technical skills and leadership abilities in the corporate world. Following Dave’s departure, the firm was renamed as Jansen Valk Thompson Reahm (JVTR).
Continued growth in various areas of service paved the way for the promotion of Rhonda Newman (an original member of the Jansen Furgason Valk team) to Principal. A few years later, Bob Jansen stepped down as Managing Principal and Jim Valk took his place. Shortly thereafter, Jenni Woolf and Deb Pellerito were named as Principal in 2011 and 2012 respectively.
Since 1994, the firm known for its three original fundamentals—exceptional service, quality work and unparalleled career growth opportunities, has maintained an impressive 99% of its clients—including the original portfolio from Ernst and Young. Working with individuals, families, trusts, public corporations, private companies and non-profit organizations, the JVTR team services clients in nearly every state and around the globe.