Windes, a premier advisory and accounting firm, is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2026, marking a century of service that has seen the organization grow from a small local practice into a multi-service firm recognized for technical excellence and client commitment. The firm's centennial reflects both its historical resilience and its ongoing adaptation to changing business landscapes, positioning this milestone as significant for understanding how professional service firms evolve to meet client needs over extended periods.
The importance of this anniversary extends beyond corporate celebration to demonstrate how accounting and advisory firms must continuously expand their capabilities to remain relevant. Since its founding in 1926, Windes has grown in step with client requirements, now providing services including audit and assurance, tax, client advisory services, transaction advisory services, human capital consulting, and technology and risk solutions. This expansion from basic accounting to comprehensive advisory services illustrates the increasing complexity businesses face and the corresponding need for integrated professional support.
For businesses, nonprofits, retirement plans, and individuals, Windes' century-long journey offers insights into how professional service firms can maintain relevance through economic shifts, technological change, and regulatory evolution. The firm's ability to serve clients across the country and around the world while maintaining its Southern California roots demonstrates how regional firms can achieve national and international reach without sacrificing local expertise. This model has implications for other professional service organizations seeking to balance growth with quality service delivery.
"Windes' centennial is both a celebration of the past and a reflection of our continued investment in the future," said Sean McFerson, Managing Partner at Windes. "Our founders built this firm on the belief that integrity, service, and relationships matter. Those values continue to guide us as we look ahead to the next chapter of our growth." This statement underscores how foundational principles can sustain organizations through decades of change while allowing for necessary adaptation.
The firm's evolution from serving primarily local clients to addressing needs across multiple sectors and geographies reflects broader trends in the accounting industry toward specialization and comprehensive service offerings. For clients, this means access to expertise that spans traditional accounting functions to include strategic advisory services, technology solutions, and human capital consulting. The firm's website at https://www.windes.com provides additional information about its service approach and anniversary recognition.
As Windes begins its next century, the firm's experience offers lessons for businesses navigating complexity in an increasingly interconnected economic environment. The ability to maintain independence while expanding service capabilities demonstrates how professional firms can grow without compromising core values. For the accounting industry specifically, Windes' century of operation provides a case study in sustainable growth through client-focused adaptation and technical excellence.
