Southwest firms saw a range of growth rates in 2007 across firms of many different sizes. Leading the list were the number 14 firm Malone & Bailey, with a jump of 37 percent to $11.2 million, and front-runner Weaver and Tidwell, with a 36 percent jump to $41.7 million. Other growing firms included LaPorte Sehrt Romig Hand ($14 million, up 25 percent), and Postlethwaite & Netterville ($25.7 million, up 22 percent). State and local tax work grew best for Lane Gorman Trubitt, as did retirement plan administration for Beach, Fleischman and SEC auditing for Malone & Bailey. Cain, Watters and REDW did well with PFP, the latter firm also reporting good growth in employee benefits work. Weaver and Tidwell did well in risk management, and Whitley Penn reported good growth in attest services, as did PKF Texas. Postlethwaite & Netterville did well in Sarbanes-Oxley work, and TravisWolff reported good growth in real estate, international tax, litigation services, and business valuation. Padgett Stratemann saw growth in tax compliance, as did Henry & Horne in estate work. Best for LaPorte Sehrt Romig Hand were health care, construction, financial institutions, nonprofits, and litigation support; best for The Hanke Group were real estate and construction; and best for Malone & Bailey oil and gas exploration and production. Employee benefits, tax, and A&A stood out for Heard, McElroy & Vestal.
Weaver and Tidwell and PKF Texas report their energy clients grew the most. For Whitley Penn the best client category was midsize companies, while for Padgett Stratemann it was construction and for Beach, Fleischman it was real estate clients. State and local governments grew best for Postlethwaite & Netterville, and auto dealerships and manufacturing grew best for Henry & Horne. Lane Gorman Trubitt says auto dealerships grew fastest, while for Cain, Watters it was professional services to dentists.
Weaver and Tidwell invested in leadership training firm-wide, and Padgett Stratemann, among other moves, launched a portal to exchange data with clients. Whitley Penn conducted recruitment roundtables, and Postlethwaite & Netterville implemented a formalized internship program. At its retreat, Beach, Fleischman built team spirit with a program to raise cash for adopted children.
Advertisement
Firms that narrowly missed the top 15 included Bourgeois Bennett, Metairie, La. (just under $10.6 million, up 20 percent), and Houston-based Null-Lairson ($9.4 million, up 19 percent).
Other areas of interest
