Loading organizations...
Headquartered in Chicago, BDO USA is a professional services firm providing assurance, tax, financial advisory, and consulting services to middle-market businesses, publicly traded corporations, and private equity firms. As the United States member of the global BDO network, the organization employs over 12,000 professionals across more than 70 domestic offices, generating two billion eight hundred twenty million dollars in revenue during 2023. Led by Chief Executive Officer Wayne Berson and Chief Operating Officer Kelly Johnson, the company transitioned to an Employee Stock Ownership Plan in August 2023. To fund this corporate restructuring and provide liquidity, the enterprise secured a one billion three hundred million dollar credit facility from alternative asset manager Apollo Global Management. The predecessor firm was originally founded in 1910 as Seidman and Seidman by brothers Maximillian Seidman, Francis Seidman, and Jacob Seidman.
Key people at BDO USA, LLP.
BDO USA, LLP is a leading U.S. professional services firm specializing in assurance, tax, financial advisory, and consulting services, with a core purpose of helping people thrive every day.[3] Founded in 1910, it operates as a Delaware limited liability partnership and ESOP-owned company, employing over 12,000 professionals across more than 70 offices nationwide, generating $2.89 billion in U.S. revenue.[3] While not an investment firm or startup, BDO supports a broad client base including nonprofits, businesses, and industries through insight-driven advisory, operational transformation, and specialized practices like clinical innovation, digital strategy, and revenue integrity.[2][3]
The firm emphasizes exceptional client service, quality, efficiency, and adaptability in a changing marketplace, guided by core values that prioritize people, clients, and communities.[1][3] Its services extend to technology and transformation, helping organizations optimize systems such as ERP, HRIS, and CRM via a 7-S Framework for operational success.[2]
BDO USA traces its roots to 1910, when three immigrant brothers—Maximillian L. Seidman, Francis E. Seidman, and Jacob S. Seidman—founded Seidman and Seidman in New York City amid the nascent accounting profession, which had fewer than 2,200 CPAs nationwide.[1] Early growth came during World War I, with a 1917 Grand Rapids office serving furniture manufacturers converted to aircraft production; the firm pioneered the first effective furniture plant costing system, a practice still used today.[1]
Expansion accelerated in the 1920s with offices in Jamestown, Rockford, Chicago, and Gardner, while the 1930s saw regulatory shifts like the Securities Act of 1933 and SEC creation, solidifying the profession's role.[1] L. William Seidman joined in 1950, rising to managing partner before government roles, including FDIC chair. By 1968, it became a national general partnership, evolving into the modern BDO USA, LLP with over 80 offices.[1][2] Recent milestones include its 2023 ESOP establishment, the first for a large accounting firm, and combinations like the 2023 merger with MBAF (founded 1969).[3][4]
BDO USA rides trends in digital transformation and operational efficiency, providing IT strategy, vendor selection, EHR extensions, business intelligence, and system rationalization to nonprofits and enterprises navigating tech-driven change.[2] Its timing aligns with post-pandemic shifts toward value-based programs, population health strategies, and 21st-century infrastructure, where firms need agile back-office transformations amid regulatory and economic pressures.[2]
Market forces like cybersecurity demands (via CyberAB recognition) and AI-enabled analytics favor BDO's advisory strength, influencing ecosystems by enabling clinical, educational, and governmental clients to optimize tech stacks and achieve sustainable outcomes.[2][5] By supporting over 80 offices' clients, it indirectly bolsters tech adoption in non-tech sectors, from revenue integrity to crisis recovery planning.[1][2]
BDO USA is poised for continued expansion through strategic combinations and ESOP-driven innovation, potentially deepening tech advisory in AI, cybersecurity, and cloud optimization as regulations evolve and digital demands intensify.[3][5] Trends like value-based care, ESG-focused infrastructure, and nonprofit digitization will shape its trajectory, amplifying influence via its people-first model.
This positions BDO not as a startup disruptor, but as a steadfast enabler helping established players thrive in tech-accelerated markets—echoing its 1910 origins in turning challenges into enduring systems.
Key people at BDO USA, LLP.
