BPW Celebrates Its 70th Anniversary

Bartlett, Pringle & Wolf, LLP, the largest full-service accounting firm on the Central Coast, is celebrating its 70th anniversary.

In the early days, BPW was a family-run business. The partners’ wives managed the billing using hand-crank adding machines and employees tracked hours manually. While a modest operation, Stan Bartlett, Phil Pringle and Walt Wolf set a foundation that was steeped in values and reputable standards.

“I often think of the founding partners and strive to uphold their vision for the firm,” says Scott Hadley, Managing Partner. “They had a strong belief in quality, client service and giving back to the community, and I think we have carried on that legacy with strength. We hire the best minds, go above and beyond for our clients and are involved with over 50 local nonprofits through various boards and sponsorships.”

Today, 70 years later, the firm is owned and operated by a partner group that includes 4th generation partners. The partners lead a firm that has evolved to be a sustainable institution with enduring values, allowing rewarding career paths for generations.

Many people, both past and present, have chosen BPW to build a lifelong career with the firm, from their first job through retirement. This dedication can be attributed to the firm’s progressive investment in its people and processes, offering ongoing professional training, integrating new-age technology and staying at the forefront of industry standards.

Perhaps one of the firm’s greatest honors is serving clients who have been with them for generations. A few have even been with them for over 50 years. Having attended weddings and family gatherings, some clients are more like family.

The firm has maintained this loyalty and relevance in an ever-changing market by operating with intention and innovation in mind. It has recently seen focused growth in the technology, real estate and professional services industries, aligning the firm’s deep experience with high demand areas on the Central Coast.

BPW has also built out its client accounting services division to respond to the varied needs of the firm’s diverse client base. As entrepreneurship continues to rise, BPW is seeing more and more outsourced accounting needs such as bookkeeping, payroll and reporting services. Listening and responding to clients’ needs has been a cornerstone to the firm’s success over the last 70 years.

BPW serves people with sophisticated accounting needs all over the world, both small and large businesses, and the Santa Barbara community where its roots run deep. Over the years, BPW has built the firm based on trust and sage guidance. Advisors are there for clients through triumph and challenge, offering clarity in uncertain times and providing answers to complex accounting questions.

BPW has been nationally-recognized by Accounting Today as one of the Best Accounting Firms to Work For, often highlighted by the Pacific Coast Business Times in their business awards sections and has received customer satisfaction awards from Microsoft for their consulting service in the credit union industry.

In the words of Stan Bartlett as he trained new employees, “You work with the firm, not for the firm.” His powerful words still resonate the halls of the lively accounting firm, a reflection of the collaborative environment and team-focused approach still upheld today.

“While the times will continue to change, BPW will carry on the torch of our founders,” says Hadley. “We are proud of our achievements over the past 70 years but look forward to paving the way for exciting new opportunities on the horizon.”

To honor the firm’s 70th anniversary, BPW is launching a pledge to perform 70 acts of kindness in 2018; some of them have already been completed; some will be random acts of kindness; and others will be deep-rooted traditions of the firm. Visit https://www.bpw.com/in-the-news/70-acts-kindness-2018/ to stay informed and learn how you can get involved.

Thank you for your dedication and support over the years—our clients, our team members and our community. Here’s to the next 70 years.