When I think about 2025, what stands out most isn’t just our growth, our new and expanding spaces, or the capabilities we’ve added. It’s our people.
As an employee-owned firm, every KSMer has a direct stake in our success. This is demonstrated daily in the way they support one another, serve our clients, and contribute to a culture where everyone can grow into the best version of themselves.
This year, we made meaningful investments in our future. We welcomed MichaelSilver as our Chicago office, expanded and enhanced many of our workspaces, and continued to create environments that foster connection, flexibility, and innovation. We also prioritized our KSMers’ wellbeing through initiatives like Unplug Week and expanded benefits designed to support them at every stage of life.
We’re equally committed to our people’s growth. From mentorship and leadership programs to new technologies, we’re equipping our employees with the tools to lead, develop, and do their best work – because in an employee-owned firm, their success drives our collective future.
Progress takes both ambition and humility – the courage to move forward and the willingness to keep learning. That mindset continues to guide us as we build a firm where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
I’m grateful for the energy, passion, and care our people bring to KSM every day. I couldn’t be more excited about what lies ahead.
Tim
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As KSM continues to invest and grow in new markets, we approach each acquisition with thoughtfulness and intention, ensuring each new firm is a strategic and cultural fit. In 2025, we established our Chicago office by welcoming MichaelSilver, our first full-service location in the state of Illinois.
Chicago (Deerfield, Illinois)
Our Chicago office serves a diverse mix of middle-market clients, including those in these industries:
Service expertise includes:
Our continued growth is about more than numbers. It’s about strategically positioning KSM as a top independent firm – adding talent, expanding our services, and ensuring a diverse mix of career opportunities for our people. – Tim Cook, CEO and president
Flexibility is a cornerstone of how we work at KSM. As our firm continues to grow and evolve, we’re intentional about creating spaces that support different work styles, team needs, and moments in the workday – whether that’s collaborating in person, focusing independently, or connecting with clients or colleagues. Across our locations, we’re investing in environments that give KSMers choice, recognizing that where and how work gets done isn’t one-size-fits-all.
This past summer our Cincinnati KSMers moved into their new office space at The Landing in Blue Ash.
This new space is designed to be modern, vibrant, and welcoming, reflecting who we are as a firm. With thoughtfully designed workspaces that foster collaboration, productivity, and flexibility, the new environment supports teamwork, client meetings, and individual heads-down work.
To mark this exciting new chapter, the team hosted an open house in October with colleagues, clients, and friends.
Our Chicago team moved into a brand-new 20,000 square-foot office space in November 2020. The new upscale, modern office space features technology-enabled conference rooms and stations where teams can collaborate on solutions with colleagues, clients, partners, and offsite employees.
The space boasts an open floor plan with offices on the perimeter. It features collaboration areas around the office for KSMers to hold discussions, a training room for 25 people, a formal conference room, several huddle rooms of varying sizes, and individual rooms for one-on-one meetings online.
In 2025, New York expanded to an additional floor, providing more space and flexibility for our NYC KSMers. The new space includes:
This new, updated space provides options where our New York colleagues can meet informally, play a game of ping-pong, work somewhere with a different view, or grab a latte from one of their new Flavia coffee machines. It has enabled the NYC Audit Group to sit together and work collaboratively and has opened the opportunity for much of the New York office to be able to meet in person.
In 2024, KSM recognized that the Fort Wayne office had outgrown its space on the sixth floor of the Metro Building. KSM originally moved into the downtown building in 2017, when the team numbered around 20. By 2021, Fort Wayne had expanded to occupy the entire sixth floor, increasing capacity to nearly 60. Just a few years later, the office again found itself at capacity and began exploring options to support future growth.
After evaluating several possibilities, Fort Wayne decided to expand into a portion of the fifth floor. The expansion added 28 workstations, seven offices, two conference rooms, two phone booths, and a small eat-in area. Once complete, members of the OFAS team located in Fort Wayne moved into the new space, where they are seated today. This expansion supports collaboration, accommodates continued growth, and provides more flexibility for our Fort Wayne KSMers.
Our Evansville KSMers have been in their new office since spring 2024, and they’re loving the welcoming and cozy space with its exposed brick and converted warehouse feel.
The office’s building sits on ground with deep historical roots tied to the city’s early industrial growth. In the late 19th century, the area was part of the Lamasco district and was home to Yosemite Mills, a manufacturing operation that reflected Evansville’s role as a regional center for commerce and production.
Over time, the property transitioned from industrial use to modern commercial development, mirroring Evansville’s broader shift from manufacturing toward professional services and knowledge-based industries.
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Set to open in Summer 2026, KSM’s new headquarters is a thoughtfully designed environment shaped by employee input and guided by architectural and design expertise, research, and best practices, all of which work together to create a space that supports our people’s and teams’ wide range of work styles and needs.
With agile workspaces, abundant natural light, and greenery throughout, the space will bring the outdoors in to create a calm, energizing atmosphere.
Warm woods and natural textures will add comfort, while flexible, modern design will support a variety of ways of working, whether Indy KSMers are collaborating, focusing, or just need a change of scenery.
KSM HQ will feature a cafe, library, lounge spaces, a rec room, and other amenities that support connection and day-to-day flexibility.
Whether you’re an Indy KSMer or visiting HQ from another location, the space will combine flexibility and meaningful amenities to make every employee’s day feel both purposeful and productive.
KSM’s first Unplug Week, held June 30–July 4, 2025, accomplished its purpose: give employees meaningful time away from work, without the stress of falling behind. Employees rated the experience 4.8 out of 5, with 92% reporting they were successful or very successful at unplugging throughout the week.
Many used the time to travel, rest, and enjoy uninterrupted time with family and friends. For several employees, Unplug Week marked the first time they were able to truly disconnect during PTO, thanks in part to the absence of internal emails and reduced work expectations.
It was amazing. It was the best PTO I have ever had!
I loved how there were no internal emails. It was the first time I was able to really disconnect.
The initiative also sparked positive conversations beyond the firm, with clients, family members, and friends commenting on how meaningful it was to see KSM prioritize collective time off.
Due to the overwhelmingly positive response, we’re doing it again! Our calendars are marked for our next Unplug Week, July 6–10, 2026.
During Open Enrollment in 2025, KSM introduced benefits to better support our people in every stage of life.
KSM has partnered with Maven, a 24/7 virtual care platform, to introduce three new programs to provide personalized care and resources alongside employees’ medical plans:
Additionally, for the first time, pet insurance will be offered through Nationwide, giving furry family members the protection they deserve.
Since launching our INSPIRE committee in 2017, KSM has focused on attracting, developing, and supporting individuals of all backgrounds while creating opportunities for everyone to succeed. That commitment remains unchanged, and today, is encompassed in one word: belonging. We continually strive to create an environment where every team member feels valued, respected, and supported so they can reach their full potential.
INSPIRE continues to evolve and will expand its impact through a new firmwide advisory council in 2026, while continuing initiatives that remove barriers to our profession, provide equal opportunity, and support our employee resource groups (ERGs).
Through a focus on belonging, we’re reinforcing KSM’s culture and ensuring it stays grounded in what has always mattered most: our people.
With the addition of the BIPOC ERG in 2025, KSM now supports six Employee Resource Groups. Our ERGs are open to all team members and center on fostering belonging, advancing careers, and sharing experiences. Check out highlights from each ERG below.
One of the most powerful drivers of retention is belonging, and belonging starts with representation. When our people see leaders who share similar backgrounds and experiences, they feel connected, valued, and confident in their future at KSM. – Karen Hill, director of talent acquisition and BIPOC ERG co-lead
Mental wellbeing is deeply intertwined with organizational performance, culture, and employee satisfaction. This Mental Wellbeing ERG is a practical, impactful way to support employees, reduce stigma, and help the business thrive. By creating community, offering resources, and elevating employee voices, this ERG becomes a key driver of holistic wellness and a stronger workplace for everyone. – Kristen Bush, tax manager and Mental Wellbeing ERG co-lead
Through regular touchpoints and virtual gatherings, the Remote ERG has helped me make connections and build friendships with colleagues across workgroups and around the country. – Andy McNeely, audit director and Remote ERG committee member
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SURGE has allowed me to develop true friendships, enhance my networking and business development skillset, and lead a group of like-minded individuals. I am very thankful for KSM's support of early-career professionals in this profession. – Caitlin Vergon, tax manager and SURGE ERG co-lead
The Women’s ERG is a community that genuinely supports each other. We can share experiences, learn together, and come away feeling a little more confident and a lot less alone. – Karen Lewis, tax director and Women’s ERG co-lead
The Working Parents Employee Resource Group represents connection, understanding, and support during a season of life that can often feel overwhelming. It creates a space to connect with coworkers who are truly in the trenches of parenthood – balancing careers, family responsibilities, and everything in between. – Stephanie McConnell, audit operations manager and Working Parents ERG co-lead
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2025 marked the completion of the first full year of KSM’s Mentorship Program, an important milestone in our commitment to supporting employee growth and connection.
Maddie Fleet and Becca Hughes share their experience and how they’ve grown together as mentor and mentee.
The mentorship relationship has made me feel more connected to KSM, because throughout the experience, you just really see how much KSM supports and invests in its people. – Becca Hughes, tax associate
At KSM, leadership begins with the individual. Our leadership philosophy is grounded in the belief that everyone has the ability and responsibility to lead – starting as a Leader of Self and growing through opportunities to guide and inspire others as a Leader of Others and a Leader of Leaders.
This philosophy is reflected in KSM’s leadership model, which provides a clear framework for developing leaders across the firm. The model is built around three core capabilities — Drive Results, Build Relationships, and Demonstrate Agility — and outlines specific behaviors that bring these capabilities to life at each leadership level. Together, these principles strengthen collaboration, encourage innovation, and support strong performance across the organization.
In 2025, KSM expanded its investment in leadership development with the launch of Elevate, a program designed for Leaders of Leaders. The program welcomed partners and Operations leaders in its first year and is expanding to directors in 2026.
Elevate focuses on helping leaders succeed in their evolving roles by strengthening key capabilities such as strategic thinking, coaching and developing others, managing change, and building strong relationships across teams. The program also provides opportunities for participants to connect with peers and reinforce KSM’s culture through our core values of unity, nurturing, ingenuity, trust, excellence, and drive.
By continuing to invest in leadership development, KSM is equipping our people with the skills and confidence needed to lead effectively and shape the firm’s future.
Beyond Elevate and Impact, our program for new leaders, KSM’s Talent Development team delivered a broader range of leadership learning experiences in 2025, including targeted workshops, team-based sessions, and leadership summits within key practice areas. These efforts have deepened the firm’s overall leadership development ecosystem, creating more accessible and relevant opportunities for growth across KSM.
This year, KSM’s Talent Development team launched Role Profiles to bring greater clarity, consistency, and alignment across the firm. Role Profiles provide clear definitions of key responsibilities, expectations, and success outcomes for every role at KSM, creating a shared foundation for performance, development, and growth conversations.
By clearly communicating what success looks like, Role Profiles support career development, strengthen performance management, and connect individual contributions to firm goals and values. Designed as flexible frameworks, they enhance engagement and accountability across teams while supporting KSM’s long-term talent planning and growth. Role Profiles have been created for Tax and Audit client-facing roles, with plans to expand to every role across KSM.
In 2025, KSM’s IT team made significant progress modernizing the firm’s technology foundation, with a strong focus on security, reliability, scalability, and responsible innovation. Alongside major infrastructure and security advancements, the firm also accelerated its adoption of AI – most notably through the firmwide deployment of ChatGPT and the expansion of innovation-led initiatives. Together, these investments reduced risk, improved performance, and enabled new, more efficient ways of working, while positioning the firm with a flexible, cloud-first platform to support future growth and emerging AI capabilities.
One of our most significant recent technology investments, ChatGPT is now deployed firmwide and has begun to meaningfully change how we work. As a general-purpose tool, it supports a wide range of use cases across service lines and internal functions, improving efficiency and enabling new ways of working.
At the same time, KSM's Innovation team is scaling its efforts – establishing clearer processes to surface and prioritize high-value ideas from across the firm and developing custom tools tailored to specific groups. Several of these solutions have been piloted successfully and are expected to make a firmwide impact in 2026, including tools like RECAP 1065, which streamlines the review process for partnership returns.
Why it matters: Both custom innovation projects and ChatGPT have enabled KSMers to work more efficiently and prioritize higher-level work, enhancing the employee experience and adding value for our clients.
Transitioning to Zscaler, an identity-based security model, was one of KSM’s most impactful updates. By replacing legacy VPN technology, the firm modernized how its users securely access systems and data – regardless of where work happens. Instead of granting broad network access, the new approach verifies each request and limits access to only what’s necessary.
Why it matters: This strengthens threat protection, reduces opportunities for unauthorized access, and delivers a smoother experience without the friction traditionally associated with VPN connections.
IT moved KSM’s core systems to Amazon Web Services (AWS), transitioning the firm from physical, on-site servers to a secure cloud environment.
Why it matters: For employees, this means stronger system reliability, improved performance, and fewer disruptions. It also gives the firm the flexibility to scale quickly, support smarter automation, and power future AI-driven tools – all on a platform built to grow as the firm grows.
To further enhance reliability and support, IT also standardized network hardware and management across all offices. By consolidating onto a single, consistent platform, the firm improved network visibility, reduced complexity, and enabled faster issue resolution.
Why it matters: Employees now benefit from a more consistent and dependable network experience regardless of location, while IT can support the environment more efficiently and proactively.
Throughout 2025, continued implementation of HubSync focused on building the foundation for a more unified and seamless client experience across the firm. Over the course of the year, workflows were designed, configured, tested, and refined, culminating in the launch of more than 10,000 tax client workspaces and over 4,000 tax and audit engagement letters in preparation for the 2026 busy season. This work required significant cross-functional collaboration, process standardization, and thoughtful change management to ensure consistency across teams.
Why it matters: The launch represents a major milestone in advancing our unified platform strategy, improving visibility and efficiency for our people, and enhancing the overall client experience. It also positions KSM for continued expansion of HubSync and broader adoption across the firm in the years ahead.
In 2025, KSM implemented Salesforce as the firm’s new customer relationship management (CRM) platform to centralize business development activity and relationship data. Approximately 50 KSMers across industry groups, service lines, and geographies participated in a structured pilot to test functionality, workflows, and data architecture. Their feedback drove meaningful refinements to system design and usability, positioning Salesforce to be rolled out more widely. We also welcomed a dedicated Salesforce administrator to oversee data governance, system management, and ongoing optimization.
Why it matters: Salesforce enhances visibility into relationships and pipeline activity, improves consistency across teams, and supports the firm’s long-term growth strategy.
Over the past year, KSM has introduced and significantly expanded Workday to modernize and simplify how our people interact with People Operations and each other. By consolidating processes into one centralized platform, we’ve moved away from fragmented systems and manual workarounds toward a more efficient, self-service model.
Today, team leaders can manage their teams more effectively, access automated reports for better decision-making, and leverage a robust employee directory with dynamic organization charts to understand how we’re structured and connected. The introduction of the “Give and Get” feedback mechanism and an enhanced performance management process has also strengthened how we support growth, accountability, and continuous development across the firm.
Why it matters: Workday has replaced complexity and inefficiency with clarity, transparency, and easier access to information – giving our people more ownership while reducing administrative friction.