Why LMC Advisors Partnered With Ascend

In this video, LMC Advisors’ Founder and CEO, Lee Cohen, shares why he decided to partner with Ascend. Founded in 2010, LMC Advisors is a 100-person regional accounting firm headquartered in New York City. 14 years later, Cohen decided to join Ascend, Alpine’s platform that aims to empower entrepreneurial CPAs to reach their goals. He highlights how Ascend’s unique approach has supported LMC’s growth while maintaining its independence and values. By leveraging Ascend’s resources and expertise, LMC is now positioned to achieve a vision beyond what Lee once thought possible.

Please note that the following is a transcript of the video.

The Choice to Partner with Ascend

LMC provides a white glove service. We don’t just financial statements and tax returns. We build relationships with our clients, and the services we provide encompass a lot of different areas of a someone’s business and personal life.

I definitely had preconceived notions about private equity. What set (Alpine) apart from other private equity (firms) was the fact that we could remain independent as LMC and be able to leverage what Ascend had to offer. They were able to help me understand the growth potential of LMC, my role as CEO in the firm, as well as (taking over) some of the back-office and technology for us.

About the Partnership

We’ve got a lot of support from Ascend in terms of hiring a Chief Growth Officer. They’ve helped us with recruiting, technology and monthly financial reporting. They have also been a shoulder to lean on for questions and issues as we grow.

Ascend has given me the ability to understand where I could take LMC to in the future. It’s a place I never dreamed we could attain. Our vision is to dream big and go all in, and they have given me the opportunity and the belief that we can do that.

Private equity has a certain stigma surrounding it. I think Ascend has done an really good job at circumventing that. I would tell anyone that is considering joining (Alpine) that they are not like other private equity firms.

(Ascend) has been a great partner. It has been the best decision I could have made for myself, the firm, our employees and our clients. I’m proud to be one of the first firms that joined Ascend, and I am confident in where Ascend is going to be in the future.

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