What Trout CPA does

Trout CPA, operating legally as Trout, Ebersole & Groff, LLP (TEG), is a privately held regional certified public accounting and advisory firm founded in 1929 and headquartered at 1705 Oregon Pike in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, with additional offices in Lancaster City, Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, and Towson, Maryland (the latter opened through the 2025 acquisition of Schiff & Associates, now Schiff Dental CPAs by Trout CPA). The firm employs 101-250 professionals organized around four service pillars — Tax Services (SALT, sales & use tax, planning & preparation, resolution), Assurance Services (audits, reviews, compilations, agreed-upon procedures, employee benefit plan audits, fraud investigation & forensic accounting), Advisory Services (business valuation, estate, exit, succession, litigation support, management advisory, technology advisory, transaction advisory, concierge personal accounting), and Outsourced Accounting (fractional controller, fractional bookkeeper, payroll administration) — delivered through a team-based engagement model in which clients are paired with partners and credentialed staff having the most relevant industry expertise. The firm serves twelve named industry verticals including agribusiness, AEC, automobile dealerships, dental practices, ESOP companies, funeral homes, healthcare, hospitality, manufacturing & distribution, non-profits, real estate investors & developers, and trucking, with a stated focus on middle-market clients, high-net-worth individuals, and growing its geographic footprint across Pennsylvania and the Mid-Atlantic. Trout CPA's operating technology stack is built on third-party platforms — Sage, QuickBooks, Bill.com, Expensify, Divvy, Avalara, Bookkeep, SafeSend, ShareFile, and Microsoft Teams — with no proprietary AI/ML or in-house software products; the firm instead differentiates through credentialed professionals (CPAs, CVAs, CFAs, CFEs, CFFs, CEPAs, ABV, CCIFP), depth of vertical specialization, and a long operating history that includes recognition as a Top 200 U.S. firm by INSIDE Public Accounting (2025), Forbes Best-In-State CPAs (2025, 2026), and consistent top rankings in LNP and CPBJ Readers' Choice Awards. Revenue is generated through professional-services engagements billed on a quote-per-engagement basis, complemented by recurring Outsourced Accounting and payroll engagements that function as fractional finance departments, and M&A advisory fees through its Trout Capital Advisors sub-brand; the firm is a member of the BDO Alliance USA and has no disclosed private equity, venture capital, or corporate parent ownership, operating as a partner-owned LLP with no public ticker or SEC filings.

Name

Trout CPA

Legal name

Trout, Ebersole & Groff, LLP

Website

https://troutcpa.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1929

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Trout CPA (Trout, Ebersole & Groff, LLP) is a privately held, 1929-founded regional accounting and advisory firm in Lancaster, PA with four offices across Pennsylvania and Maryland, serving middle-market businesses and individuals across twelve industry verticals with tax, assurance, advisory, and outsourced accounting services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Accounting & Advisory Services

NAICS

Offices of Certified Public Accountants (541211)

akta.pro primary industry

Finance, Accounting & Risk (CFA/CPA/FRM) Certifications (EDAAANAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

Accounting, Audit & Tax (CPA/CA/ACCA CPE) (EDAAALAA)

Keywords

• Public accounting services
• Tax preparation services
• Business advisory consulting
• Outsourced accounting services
• Audit and assurance services

Headquarters

HQ city

Lancaster

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Professional Accounting & Tax Services: Trout CPA generates revenue through professional accounting, auditing, tax planning, tax preparation, and tax resolution services billed on a professional services basis, serving individuals, large and small businesses, and other agencies and organizations.
2. Business Advisory Services: Revenue is generated from advisory engagements including business valuation, estate planning, exit planning, litigation support, management advisory, succession planning, transaction advisory, technology advisory, and concierge personal accounting.
3. Outsourced Accounting: The firm provides fractional controller, fractional bookkeeper, and payroll administration services, acting as the internal finance and accounting department for clients, generating recurring professional services revenue.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Trout CPA is a regional certified public accounting firm providing personalized accounting, audit, tax, and business advisory services to individuals, large and small businesses, agencies, and organizations across Pennsylvania and Maryland. Its core offering spans four service pillars — Tax, Assurance, Advisory, and Outsourced Accounting — delivered through industry-specialized teams across 12+ verticals including agribusiness, construction, dental, ESOP, funeral homes, healthcare, hospitality, manufacturing, non-profit, real estate, and trucking.

Product overview

Trout CPA is a regional accounting and advisory firm offering a comprehensive suite of professional services organized around four core pillars: Tax Services (SALT, Sales & Use Tax, Tax Planning & Preparation, Tax Resolution), Assurance Services (Audits, Reviews, Compilations, Agreed-Upon Procedures, Employee Benefit Plan Audits, Fraud Investigation & Forensic Accounting), Advisory Services (Business Valuation, Estate Planning, Exit Planning, Litigation Support, Management Advisory, Succession Planning, Technology Advisory, Transaction Advisory, Concierge Personal Accounting), and Outsourced Accounting (Fractional Controller, Fractional Bookkeeper, Payroll Administration). The firm also provides paperless invoicing and online bill payment tools as client-facing features. Services are delivered across 14 industry specializations including Agribusiness, Architecture/Engineering/Construction, Automobile Dealerships, Dental, ESOP, Funeral Homes, Healthcare, Hospitality, Manufacturing & Distribution, Non-Profit, Real Estate Investors, and Trucking.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Trout Capital Advisors: M&A advisory services division providing sell-side and buy-side transaction advisory services for lower-middle market companies.

Products and services

• Tax Services Comprehensive tax services including planning, preparation, and resolution for individuals and businesses across federal, state, and local jurisdictions.
• State & Local Tax (SALT) Specialized SALT planning, nexus analysis, and compliance services for multi-state businesses including apportionment optimization and compliance risk analysis.
• Sales & Use Tax Sales tax compliance consulting, exemption certificate guidance, PA sales tax audit representation, and reverse audit services.
• Tax Planning & Preparation Federal, state, and local income tax return preparation and proactive tax planning to minimize tax burdens for individuals and businesses.
• Tax Resolution IRS and state tax notice resolution including penalty abatement, installment agreements, offer in compromise, audit representation, and tax lien relief.
• Assurance Services Financial statement services providing varying levels of assurance including audits, reviews, and compilations for transparency and regulatory compliance.
• Audits High-quality financial statement audits providing reasonable assurance with customized audit plans and data extraction software analysis.
• Reviews Limited assurance engagements with analytical procedures and management inquiries for organizations needing formalized financial reporting.
• Compilations Financial statement preparation services for small businesses without assurance, based on management representations.
• Agreed-Upon Procedures Tailored attest engagements addressing specific concerns such as cash disbursement reviews, AR confirmations, and inventory test counts.
• Employee Benefit Plan Audits ERISA-compliant employee benefit plan audits including 401(k), 403(b), defined benefit plans, ESOPs, and Form 5500 preparation.
• Fraud Investigation & Forensic Accounting Fraud detection and deterrence services including investigations, internal control studies, data mining, and expert witness testimony by CFEs and CFF experts.
• Advisory Services Non-traditional business consulting services including valuation, estate planning, transaction advisory, and strategic guidance beyond standard accounting.
• Business Valuation Credible and defensible business valuations for compliance, succession, financial reporting, and litigation support by credentialed professionals (ABV, CVA).
• Estate Planning Wealth preservation services including estate tax planning, charitable gift planning, trust administration, and fiduciary income tax return preparation.
• Exit Planning Exit strategy development and execution including management buy-outs, family succession, ESOP formation, and business sale preparation.
• Litigation Support Expert financial analysis and testimony for legal matters including business disputes, divorce proceedings, and forensic accounting.
• Management Advisory Strategic guidance covering strategy development, operations optimization, technology consulting, and team development for business growth.
• Succession Planning Organization-wide succession planning for identifying and developing future leaders and transitioning ownership smoothly.
• Technology Advisory Technology consulting including executive advisory, application integration, process automation, and data-as-a-service for digital transformation.
• Transaction Advisory M&A advisory services including sell-side and buy-side due diligence, quality of earnings analysis, and post-acquisition integration support.
• Concierge Personal Accounting High-touch personal financial management for high-net-worth individuals, family offices, and private foundations including day-to-day bookkeeping and strategic coordination.
• Outsourced Accounting Full-service outsourced accounting including day-to-day transaction processing, payroll, financial reporting, and CFO-level strategic support as internal finance department.
• Fractional Controller Part-time controller services including budgeting, KPI reporting, financial deliverables management, and fixed asset subledger maintenance.
• Fractional Bookkeeper Day-to-day transactional accounting including account reconciliations, AP/AR management, general ledger maintenance, and year-end closing.
• Payroll Administration Complete payroll processing services including payroll assessment, provider selection, tax return review, and ongoing payroll support.

Quantifiable outcome

• Trout CPA performs hundreds of review and compilation engagements each year
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments12 records

Ideal customer profiles8 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration9 records

Feature1 record

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• BDO USA, P.A.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTrout CPA is an independent member of the BDO Alliance USA, a nationwide association of independently owned local and regional accounting, consulting, and service firms with similar client service goals. The Alliance provides an opportunity for the firm to expand services to clients without jeopardizing existing relationships or autonomy by accessing the resources of BDO USA and other Alliance members.
• AICPA (American Institute of Certified Public Accountants)coreOthersAICPA is the world's largest member association representing the accounting profession with nearly 386,000 members in 128 countries. AICPA members represent many areas of practice including business and industry, public practice, government, education, and consulting. The AICPA sets ethical standards for the profession and U.S. auditing standards.
• PICPA (Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants)coreOthersPICPA is the premier statewide resource for top-class continuing professional education programs, professional networking, business-friendly advocacy, thought leadership, and a full range of services for accounting professionals.
• Lancaster Chamber of Commerce & IndustryminorOthersThe Lancaster Chamber of Commerce & Industry is a dynamic membership organization of nearly 2,400 community-minded businesses totaling more than 116,000 employees, working to make Lancaster County a great place to live, work, and conduct business.
• West Shore ChamberminorOthersThe West Shore Chamber is a dynamic business organization that advances member success, influences issues, and exemplifies strong business performance.
• Harrisburg Regional Chamber & CREDCminorOthersThe Harrisburg Regional Chamber & CREDC represents a strong group of diverse businesses with more than 1,400 members ranging from sole proprietors to Fortune 500 companies, interacting with a broad network of businesses and professionals throughout Central Pennsylvania.
• ABC KeystoneminorOthersABC Keystone is the local chapter of Associated Builders & Contractors, representing over 22,000 merit shop construction and construction-related firms in 74 chapters across the United States, encompassing commercial, industrial, and institutional markets.
• Building Industry Association of Lancaster CountyminorOthersBuilding Industry Association of Lancaster County members have expertise in housing development, economic development, environmental protection, education, and other services, promoting member companies while advocating for a fair market business environment.
• CFMA (Construction Financial Management Association)minorOthersCFMA is the only organization dedicated to bringing together construction financial professionals and partners serving their unique needs, serving more than 6,500 members via 89 chapters throughout the United States and Canada.
• Inter County Contractors AssociationminorOthersThe Inter-County Contractors Association is dedicated to the advancement, education, and safety of the construction site work contracting industry, providing a forum for site contractors, subcontractors, equipment dealers, material suppliers, and industry professionals.
• PBA (Pennsylvania Builders Association)minorOthersPBA is a non-profit statewide trade association affiliated with the National Association of Home Builders and a network of 38 local associations throughout the state, providing proactive leadership on state regulatory and legislative issues.
• American Subcontractors Association of Central PennsylvaniaminorOthersASA Central PA improves the profitability of construction subcontractors, specialty trade contractors, and suppliers by offering educational programs, governmental advocacy, member benefit programs, and networking opportunities.
• Manufacturers' AssociationminorOthersThe Manufacturers' Association serves as a partner and advocate for manufacturing, production, and logistics in Pennsylvania and Maryland, helping meet workforce needs of manufacturers to enable them to be more productive and competitive.
• ESOP AssociationminorOthersTrout CPA maintains membership in the ESOP Association, which provides resources and advocacy for employee-owned companies.
• PA CEO (Pennsylvania Center for Employee Ownership)minorOthersTrout CPA maintains membership in the Pennsylvania Center for Employee Ownership, supporting employee-owned companies.
• AICPA Employee Benefit Plan Audit Quality Center (EBPAQC)minorOthersTrout CPA is a member of the AICPA EBPAQC, which helps CPAs meet the challenges of conducting quality audits in the employee benefit plan area. This voluntary membership has various requirements including employee benefit plan professional education.
• International Society of Certified Employee Benefit Specialists (ISCEBS)minorOthersTrout CPA maintains membership in ISCEBS, with a partner serving on the Central Pennsylvania Chapter of the ISCEBS.
• ADCPA (Academy of Dental CPAs)minorOthersSeveral of Trout CPA's dental industry professionals are individual members of the Academy of Dental CPAs, connecting the firm to a national network of dental-focused accounting specialists.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• CliftonLarsonAllen (CLA): Top-10 U.S. accounting firm focused on mid-market businesses and local governments with deep industry specialization across multiple verticals, similar to Trout CPA's positioning but at significantly larger scale. CLA's multi-office, multi-vertical service model is closely comparable.
• Moss Adams LLP: Top-15 U.S. accounting firm focused on middle-market companies with industry-specialized practices in construction, healthcare, real estate, and agribusiness - directly paralleling Trout CPA's vertical coverage.
• Baker Tilly US: Top-10 U.S. accounting and advisory firm with strong middle-market focus and industry specialization across construction, real estate, healthcare, and dental - directly overlapping several of Trout CPA's key verticals.
• Eide Bailly LLP: Top-25 U.S. accounting and advisory firm serving middle-market and closely-held businesses with similar multi-vertical industry specialization and outsourced accounting services, comparable in size and geographic scope.
• Wipfli LLP: Top-25 U.S. accounting and advisory firm serving middle-market businesses with tax, audit, advisory, and outsourced accounting services. Wipfli's multi-vertical approach and technology-enabled delivery closely parallels Trout CPA's service portfolio.
• Forvis (formerly FORVIS): Top-10 U.S. accounting firm formed from merger of BKD and Dixon Hughes Goodman, serving middle-market clients with industry-specialized tax, audit, and advisory services comparable to Trout CPA's offerings.

Broad incumbents

• RSM US LLP: Top-5 U.S. accounting firm focused on the middle market with comprehensive tax, audit, advisory, and consulting services. Larger scale than Trout CPA but competes directly for the same middle-market client base.
• Crowe LLP: Top-10 U.S. public accounting and consulting firm with strong middle-market focus. Larger scale than Trout CPA but with similar industry-specialized service lines including construction, healthcare, and dental verticals.

Regional players

• Herbein + Company, Inc. Regional CPA and business advisory firm headquartered in Reading, PA, serving central and eastern Pennsylvania with similar middle-market focus and industry specialization - direct geographic competitor in the PA market.
• RKL LLP: Pennsylvania-based CPA and advisory firm with offices across central PA including Lancaster, serving middle-market businesses with tax, audit, advisory, and outsourced accounting services - direct regional competitor in Trout CPA's core market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/troutcpa
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC12joDpHy_THMPHFPwY5PgA
• Facebookfacebook.com/troutcpa
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/troutcpa
• Instagraminstagram.com/troutcpa

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A1 record

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Trout CPA