(LOS ANGELES, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12) — Salt Lake City’s growing and vibrant business base, experienced workforce, and the presence of world-class accounting programs at local universities are prompting HCVT, the largest CPA firm based in Los Angeles, to open a sizable office in the market, company officials announced today. HCVT is the third largest CPA firm in the west and the 33rd largest nationally.
HCVT's new office is in the heart of downtown Salt Lake City at 650 Main and will ultimately accommodate up to 50 professionals. Since 2014, the firm has operated an office in Park City and an office coworking space in Salt Lake City since 2023. HCVT currently has 12 full-time employees in Utah.
“Rather than making acquisitions, a key element of our growth strategy is to open offices where there are experienced talent pools and outstanding undergraduate and graduate accounting programs,” said Vicken Haleblian, HCVT’s CEO and managing partner. “Doing so gives us access to a steady stream of high-caliber job candidates each year, while also enabling us to tap the experienced and robust accounting alumni networks that exist in these areas.”
This approach provides HCVT with a pipeline of talent while experienced and newly graduated accountants are able to work on unique and varied matters that the California-based CPA firm specializes in, which include: entertainment companies, notable individuals, private equity firms, family offices, real estate developers, and foreign-based international clients for whom HCVT handles U.S. entity work.
“Finding solid accounting personnel — whether new or experienced — is difficult these days, and that’s why we are going where the talent is rather than trying to draw them to Southern California,” said Haleblian. “We understand many of these qualified graduates would love — or have decided — to stay in the Salt Lake City region, so why not meet them where they are, while offering a unique, engaging, and challenging work experience.”
Because a majority of the firm’s partners spent significant time in Big Four and other large CPA firms, HCVT is known for its ability to develop talent and promote from within. “We believe in providing growth opportunities throughout someone’s career, and place a premium on our culture of trust, excellence, and professional growth,” said Haleblian.
In addition to Salt Lake City, the firm’s “go to the talent” strategy is driving a new office opening in San Diego and a large office expansion in Phoenix this year.
It is a strategy that is working. Haleblian points to Phoenix as his proof point. “We opened that office in 2018 with two people; it currently employs 33,” he said. “With the new office expansion there, we expect to have up to 60 employees in fairly short order.”
HCVT’s presence in Park City, which is led by HCVT Tax Partner Blake Christian, means the firm is already familiar with the market and its potential. Helping Christian grow the Salt Lake City presence is Jonathan Wang, CPA and Strategic Markets Leader. Wang has deep experience in M&A, audit, and other accounting specialties. Together, he and Christian will introduce HCVT and its deep expertise to the regional business community.
“With an excellent team of sophisticated talent, a successful campus recruiting season, and a diverse and interesting client base, we have a terrific story to tell, and the growth trend in the Salt Lake City region is very positive,” said Christian.
“We expect great things from this office, given the roster of motivated, engaged, and talented graduates from local universities,” Wang added.
For more information, contact:
Cheryl Foster, Chief Growth Officer
Cheryl.Foster@hcvt.com
(310) 566-1993
About HCVT
HCVT is the largest, Los Angeles-based public accounting firm and the 33rd largest firm nationally. Founded in 1991, HCVT provides tax, advisory, and business management services to public and closely held companies; high-net-worth individuals and families as well as their related entities; and family offices. The firm also provides audit and assurance services to privately held companies and employee benefit plan sponsors.
Known for its deep technical skills and ability to address the most complex tax issues associated with partnerships and pass-through entities, HCVT serves clients across a number of industries, including: private equity, real estate, media and entertainment, manufacturing, retail and distribution, technology, healthcare and life sciences, affordable housing, and professional services firms.
With more than 800 team members, which include over 100 partners and principals, HCVT serves clients from 14 offices. Including its headquarters in West Los Angeles, HCVT has ten locations in Southern California (Camarillo, Encino, Glendale, Irvine, Long Beach, Monrovia, Pasadena, Westlake Village, and San Diego); and offices in Fort Worth, Texas; Salt Lake City, Utah; Park City, Utah; and Phoenix, Arizona. The firm’s national and global reach is extended by its affiliation with Moore North America, Inc. (MNA) and Moore Global Network Limited, an independent and global accountancy and business advisory network of CPA and financial services firms located throughout the United States and around the globe. Visit hcvt.com, to learn more.
BEST OF THE BEST
Our passion for excellence, continuous learning, and improvement have garnered HCVT numerous industry accolades. These honors demonstrate the firm’s focus on client service and commitment to maintaining a supportive, employee-centric culture.
