The origination of H&S Companies occurred when Jack Hendon and Dan Slate saw a need in the Newaygo County area to provide quality, professional, accounting services. The partnership began in 1983 when they opened the only CPA firm in Newaygo County; Hendon and Slate, P.C. Hendon received his accounting degree from Michigan State University; and Slate graduated from Ferris State University.
The firm built its business and reputation on tax accounting and auditing services for individuals, small businesses, non-profit organizations and governmental agencies. To provide more services to the growing list of clients, Hendon & Slate completed its first merger in 1991.
C. John Korstange, partner at the Fremont office of DeBoer, Baumann & Co., a CPA firm from Holland, merged with Hendon & Slate. A graduate of Hope College, Korstange received his bachelor’s in accounting. Korstange is now managing partner, overseeing all administrative aspects of running H&S Companies.
In the continued pursuit for quality client service, H&S established H&S Computer Consulting to assist clients with their technology concerns and H&S Wealth Management for their financial, investment and retirement planning. In 1998, Hendon & Slate, P.C. officially became known as H&S Companies to encompass the three entities: Hendon & Slate, CPAs, H&S Computer Consulting and H&S Wealth Managementl.
Hendon & Slate entered into the Muskegon market by merging with Ward Van Dam of Van Dam & Tidswell, CPA. For eight years, Van Dam had a standard tax and accounting firm geared toward small- and medium-size businesses. Ward Van Dam is the partner in-charge of the Muskegon office of H&S Companies. Van Dam’s expertise with the manufacturing industry has resulted in continued success with several industrial clients, including the largest manufacturer in the Muskegon area.
During the 1990s, H&S also began to expand its northern territory with a satellite office in Hart. In 2001, another satellite operation opened in the White Lake area through an acquisition of the Al Hiddema CPA firm in Whitehall. Team members from the Fremont and Muskegon offices rotate the staffing of these community-based operations for the convenience of local clients.
In continued growth, H&S merged with the practice of Cynthia A. Revilla, CPA, P.C. in 2003 to expand the Muskegon office. Growth in the 21st Century continued for H&S when they announced another merger. This time Christner & Farmer, CPA merged their practice with H&S Companies in 2006 and grew the Muskegon office to further serve the Lakeshore area. Ed Christner and Mike Farmer brought with them expertise in medical profession and small business consulting to H&S. With the lakeshore growth, the firm opened a new office on Harvey Street which was constructed according to LEED certification standards.
H&S has now targeted growth in the Grand Rapids area through their most recent merger with Achterhof & Lothschutz, P.C. Achterhof & Lothschutz have been serving the Grand Rapids area since 1983. They specialize in manufacturing, medical practices, personal and corporate taxes. The merged offices will be serving the greater Grand Rapids/Walker areas from their new Lake Michigan Drive location in Standale.
In 2008 Hendon & Slate, P.C. will celebrate their 25th year of business. Through hard work, perseverance, and an intense desire to help their clients grow their own businesses this company now serves over 5,000 clients with a team of over 40 team members in five locations.
H&S Companies History