In a business landscape defined by consolidation, private equity rollups, and short‑term thinking, true independence has become rare. At SSC CPAs + Advisors, independence isn’t just a value; it’s a key component in a winning strategy.
As of January 2026, that strategy has reached a defining milestone: SSC is now officially a 100% employee‑owned ESOP company.
This achievement doesn’t just set SSC apart from other CPA firms: it positions our firm as a national authority on employee ownership, succession strategy, and long‑term financial management. It also signals to business owners, founders, and future talent that SSC is built for longevity, stability, and shared prosperity.
Becoming fully ESOP‑owned is more than a structural change. It’s a philosophy that shapes how SSC serves clients, develops leaders, and builds a legacy that lasts.
For CEOs, founders, and business leaders, the question isn’t just what an ESOP is. It’s why it matters, and more specifically, why it matters now.
The accounting industry is experiencing unprecedented consolidation. Private equity firms are buying up CPA practices at a rapid pace, often prioritizing short‑term returns over long‑term relationships. For many firms, this means cultural disruption, turnover, and a loss of the very identity that made them successful.
SSC chose a different path.
By becoming 100% employee‑owned, SSC reinforced its commitment to independence, continuity, and people-first decision-making. It ensures the firm’s future remains in the hands of those who built it and who are best equipped to carry it forward.
As Chief Strategy Officer Michele Hammann puts it: “Becoming fully ESOP‑owned reflects our belief that every owner matters. This model empowers our team, fuels collaboration, and reinforces a culture where people are invested in each other’s success.”
This is the heart of SSC’s identity: ownership that drives engagement, accountability, and long-term thinking.
SSC’s ESOP story began in 1984, when the firm was founded with a vision for growth, integrity, and client-centered service. In 1999, SSC transitioned to an Employee Stock Ownership Plan, the first CPA firm in Kansas that was an ESOP, and one of the few in the US.
From there, the firm steadily increased employee ownership as cash flow allowed, selling shares of existing partnerships into the ESOP year after year. This wasn’t a quick pivot or a marketing move. It was a disciplined, intentional long-term strategy rooted in the belief that empowered employees drive last returns.
Today, that steadfast commitment has culminated in full employee ownership, an extremely rare achievement in the CPA profession and a powerful differentiator for clients seeking stability and strategic planning support.
Becoming 100% ESOP‑owned gives SSC a unique vantage point. Our firm isn’t just paying lip service to our clients about ESOPs. We walk the walk and talk the talk. ESOPs are part of our DNA.
This firsthand experience strengthens SSC’s ability to guide business owners through:
SSC understands the operational, cultural, and financial realities of employee ownership because we’ve navigated them ourselves. That makes our advisory services more credible, more practical, and more aligned with the real-world challenges business owners face.
Even with generous compensation packages and inclusive company cultures, most employees feel like one of many worker bees. Although they may be committed, they don’t have any real stake in the organization’s success.
Employee ownership shifts the dynamic in the best way possible. It isn’t just a governance model; it’s a catalyst for performance.
At SSC, the ESOP has created:
This is wealth-building without the risk of starting a business from scratch. It’s a career path with purpose, stability, and long-term reward. It’s also a powerful differentiator when recruiting top talent.
And for clients, this translates into something priceless: consistency.
When employees stay, clients don’t have to re-explain their business every year. They get continuity, institutional knowledge, and advisors who are personally invested in delivering exceptional outcomes.
For business owners looking to partner with a firm build for long term growth, and for those owners seeking tax services, financial management support, or strategic planning guidance, SSC’s ESOP structure offers a clear advantage.
Clients benefit from:
As CEO Brian Lang explains: “Moving to 100% employee ownership positions SSC for the next generation of growth. It allows us to preserve the firm’s legacy, maintain continuity for our clients, and reinvest in the people who make this work meaningful.”
This is the kind of stability business leaders want from their CPA partner, especially when navigating complex decisions around tax strategy, tax prep, tax services, financial management, and long-term strategic planning.
SSC’s transition to 100% employee ownership is more than a milestone. It’s a message that independence matters, that people and legacy matter.
The future belongs to firms willing to invest in their teams, their clients, and their communities. We preach this, but more importantly, we also practice it.
SSC is the ESOP authority because we’ve lived the journey, and now we’re ready to help other business owners navigate theirs. Contact us to get started.
“SSC CPAs + Advisors” and “SSC” are the brand names under which SSC Advisors, Inc. and SSC CPAs, PA provide professional services. SSC Advisors, Inc. and SSC CPAs, PA practice as an alternative practice structure in accordance with the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct and applicable law, regulations, and professional standards. SSC CPAs, PA is a licensed independent CPA firm that provides attest services to its clients, and SSC Advisors, Inc. entities provide tax, advisory, and business consulting services to their clients. SSC Advisors, Inc. is not a licensed CPA firm. Our use of the terms “our firm” and “we” and “us” and terms of similar import, denote the alternative practice structure conducted by SSC Advisors, Inc. and SSC CPAs, PA. Advisory services provided through Merit Financial Group, LLC. Merit Financial Group, LLC is a registered investment advisor with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.