30 Years In, Mowery & Schoenfeld Stands Independent

LINCOLNSHIRE, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Mowery & Schoenfeld, a top 150 advisory, consulting, and accounting firm, is celebrating 30 years of service as founder Jeffery Mowery has emerged as a leading voice in the growing push for independence across the profession.

As private equity investment reshapes the accounting landscape and drives consolidation among mid-sized CPA firms, Mowery has taken a clear stand: Independence is not just a strategy, but a long-term commitment.

“Our firm is focused on growth that centers independence,” said Mowery, a two-time Accounting Today Managing Partner Elite honoree. “Thirty years in, we have proven you don’t need outside capital to build something enduring. You need the right people, an entrepreneurial mindset, and the discipline to keep adapting and evolving.”

Mowery and Keith Schoenfeld founded the firm in 1996 in Lincolnshire, Ill., after leaving large CPA firms to build a more personal, advisory-driven model. Over the next three decades, the firm expanded its service offerings, grew its team from within, and completed strategic acquisitions — while prioritizing the client relationships and talent development on which the firm was built. Today, Mowery & Schoenfeld has grown from three employees to over 200, with offices in Lincolnshire, Chicago, and Lake Forest, Ill., Miami, and the Philippines, and more than $48 million in revenue.

“I would describe our firm in one word: learning,” said Mowery, who has served as Mowery & Schoenfeld’s managing partner since 2008. “We never stop learning — about our clients, our people, and the market. That approach allows us to stay independent as we grow our business and develop the next generation of firm leaders.”

That philosophy goes beyond the firm. Mowery has become an outspoken advocate for independence in the accounting profession, urging firms to carefully weigh the long-term implications of private equity investment against the value of control, culture, and client experience.

“As we look ahead to the next 30 years, our focus is the same as it was from day one,” Mowery said. “Invest in our people, deepen our client relationships, and build a firm that thrives on its own terms.”

About Mowery & Schoenfeld

Founded in 1996, Mowery & Schoenfeld, LLC is a top mid-sized Illinois-based advisory, accounting, and consulting firm built to help businesses and entrepreneurs navigate challenges and move confidently into what’s next.

With a holistic, relationship-driven and people-first approach, we provide integrated solutions across tax, assurance, transaction advisory, wealth management, international tax, and technology services to help clients make informed decisions, drive growth, and plan with confidence.

As our firm celebrates 30 years of progress and client service, we continue to evolve beyond traditional accounting services to deliver forward-thinking advisory and consulting services that connect expertise with strategic insight. Our teams partner closely with clients to solve problems and uncover opportunities that support long-term growth and build resilient businesses.

To learn more, visit msllc.com.