Plante Moran
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Accounting, Consulting, Wealth Management |
| Founded | 1924 |
| Founder | Elorion Plante |
| Headquarters | Not explicitly stated , United States |
Area served | United States, Mexico, India, Japan, China |
Key people | Jason Drake (managing partner from July 1, 2024) |
Number of employees | More than 3,800 |
Plante Moran is recognized as one of the leading audit, tax, consulting, and wealth management firms within the United States, employing more than 3,800 professionals across 23 locations situated in Michigan, Ohio, Illinois, Colorado, Mexico, India, Japan, and China. The company is a founding participant in Praxity, an international network of independent accounting firms operating throughout North America, South America, Europe, and Asia. In 2023, Fortune placed Plante Moran at number 16 on its “100 Best Companies to Work For” list, marking the firm’s 25th consecutive year on this prestigious ranking.
History
Established in 1924 by Elorion Plante, the firm welcomed Frank Moran as a partner in 1950 and subsequently became known as Plante & Moran during Moran’s tenure as managing partner from 1955 until 1981. By the early 1960s, services beyond traditional accounting accounted for approximately one-third of the firm’s revenue. In 1977, it introduced Total Personal Financial Planning, which has since evolved into Plante Moran Financial Advisors. The company began expanding through mergers in 1986, opening new offices in Michigan and Ohio.
Throughout the 1990s, under Bill Matthews’ leadership as managing partner starting in 1993, the firm broadened its service offerings to include SEC registration for financial advisors, commercial real estate advisory via Plante Moran Realpoint, investment banking through P&M Corporate Finance, and benefits administration. Bill Hermann succeeded Matthews as managing partner in 2001; during his term, the firm was involved in investigating the Enron collapse and launched Plante Moran Trust.
International growth accelerated by 2010 with new offices established in Shanghai, Monterrey, and Mumbai. A merger with Gleeson, Sklar, Sawyers & Cumpata brought three additional locations in Illinois into the fold. The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Council was created in 2003 to foster an inclusive workplace environment.
Under Gordon Krater’s leadership from 2009 as managing partner, Plante Moran inaugurated a Detroit office and merged with Stuart Franey Matthews & Chantres P.C. as well as Blackman Kallick. The firm underwent rebranding by removing the ampersand from its name and received the International Accounting Bulletin’s Employer of the Year award. In collaboration with his predecessor Hermann in 2011, Krater coauthored guidance on leadership succession. The Women in Leadership program was launched in 2012 to address female attrition at senior levels.
Jim Proppe assumed the managing partner role in 2017; during that year, Plante Moran opened its Tokyo office. A year later, a merger with Denver-based EKS&H expanded the firm’s workforce beyond 3,000 employees and elevated its status to the nation’s 11th largest accounting firm.
In November 2023, Jason Drake was elected managing partner effective July 1, 2024. Drake previously led the firm’s international offices and global services for six years and earned recognition from Crain’s Detroit Business for spearheading a 400% growth in international business revenue.
Culture
The organizational culture at Plante Moran is deeply influenced by co-founder Frank Moran’s vision of a “grand experiment” — establishing a values-driven accounting firm that prioritizes people. His concept of the “Wheel of Progress” focuses on attracting and maintaining top talent to achieve exceptional client service and long-term success. Central retention efforts include cultivating a “relatively jerk-free culture” alongside encouraging work-life balance through what is described as a “life on a tightrope” philosophy.
The firm promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion through various initiatives such as its DEI Council, employee resource groups, Women in Leadership program, and WorkFlex Committee dedicated to supporting work-life balance across all locations. Core principles like the “We Care” mindset and adherence to the Golden Rule form the foundation of Plante Moran’s culture. This commitment has resulted in numerous recognitions including Fortune’s Best Places to Work for Millennials, Parents, Women as well as repeated inclusion on the list of the 100 Best Companies to Work For.
Service model
Plante Moran utilizes a unique “one-firm” approach to service delivery, inspired by Harvard Business School’s Professor David Maister. This model emphasizes a unified, client-centered expertise rather than focusing on individual profit centers. As a result, clients benefit from effortless access to specialized professionals in accounting and industry-specific fields, no matter their geographic location.
Services
Plante Moran and its associated entities provide an extensive range of services spanning critical business functions:
Audit
- Audits of employee benefit plans
- Financial statement auditing
- Global audit services
- SEC surprise audits
- Single audits
Tax
- International taxation
- Mergers and acquisitions support
- Personal tax services
- State and local taxation
- Tax controversy assistance
- Tax credits, incentives, and deductions
- Transfer pricing strategies
Consulting
- Advisory services for commercial real estate
- Cost and margin analysis
- Cybersecurity solutions
- Data analytics services
- Employee benefits consulting
- ERP system consulting
- Finance and accounting advisory
- Forensic accounting services
- Group benefits and brokerage offerings
- International consulting services
- Investment banking support
- Real estate investment advisory
- Restructuring and transformation guidance
- Risk management consulting
- Senior living development advisory
- Strategic planning services
- Supply chain and operations consulting
- Talent evaluation and development
- Technology consulting solutions
- Transaction advisory services
- Valuation expertise
Wealth Management
- Services for business transitions
- Estate planning guidance
- Family legacy and family office management
- Comprehensive financial planning
- Insurance solutions
- Investment advisory services
- Personal tax planning expertise
- Trust administration services
Industries served
- Construction sector
- Automotive dealerships
- Education institutions
- Energy industry
- Financial services
- Food and beverage industry
- Franchise operations
- Government agencies
- Healthcare providers
- Insurance sector
- Life sciences and medical devices
- Manufacturing and distribution
- Nonprofit organizations
- Private equity firms
- Professional service providers
- Real estate market
- Restaurant industry
- Retail businesses
- Technology companies
Affiliated services
Plante Moran’s affiliated entities include:
- P&M Corporate Finance (PMCF)
- Plante Moran Realpoint (previously Plante Moran Cresa)
- Plante Moran Financial Advisors
- Plante Moran Group Benefit Advisors
- Plante Moran Insurance Agency
- Plante Moran Living Forward
- Plante Moran Realpoint Investment Advisors (PMRIA), formerly Plante Moran Real Estate Investment Advisors (REIA)
- Plante Moran Trust