Frequently Asked Questions – Willeford Group Merger

Why did Willeford Group merge with Hancock Askew?

Hancock Askew & Co. has a strong culture similar to the culture we’ve established at our firm. Both firms have a long, independent history and are service-oriented, client-focused and employee-centric. The combined practice formed as a result of this merger will better position us to provide tax, accounting, auditing and advisory services throughout the Southeast, Southwest and nationwide. As one firm, we will still provide personalized service, but with the expertise of more than 275 people behind us in offices in Savannah, Atlanta, and Augusta, Georgia, as well as Miami, Tampa, Jacksonville, and Orlando, Florida.

As part of the merger, Kate Willeford will join the Partnership of Hancock Askew as Partner and all Willeford Group team members will remain on staff. The Willeford Group team will become the dental division for Hancock Askew and will continue to work exclusively with dentists.

This merger is a key component of the firm’s succession plans. Our firm will now be better prepared to evolve and adapt as client needs change over time. This merger also offers new growth opportunities for our employees, helping to ensure a bright future for years to come. Hancock Askew & Co. is a top accounting firm with strong resources to better enhance the existing services offered to our clients.

Will I still have the same accountant?

The service team with whom you’ve been accustomed to working with over the years will stay the same. Relationships are critical in this business, and we are committed to maintaining and reinforcing the trust you’ve placed in our firm and our advisors.

Will my rates go up?

Nope! This merger is about uniting our two firms for the purpose of providing our clients with access to a more robust service line and a highly regarded team of industry experts – not raising rates. You will see absolutely no negative changes in the service you currently receive, your fees or your service team unless there are changes in your circumstances or changes caused by a new tax law or issue. You will have a new logo on your invoice, as well as new payment options and instructions. Please note, a processing fee will be applied to all payments via credit card moving forward.

How will this merger impact me?

Most importantly, the people you know, trust and depend on will be the same people that continue serving you in the future. We will continue to be specialized experts in your industry and work exclusively with dentists.

Your daily interactions won’t change, but you will have access to a more diverse team of professionals with new service specialties to better serve you.

There will be new processes and tools available to you as we transition to the Hancock Askew client experience program. We will notify you of these changes when the time comes.

Through this merger, we’ll be able to better serve our clients with enhanced niches and services. The Willeford Group clients will now have direct access to a wider array of services including transition advisory, real estate investment tax advisory, IT risk advisory, financial audits and many more.

Will you be changing your location?

All Willeford Group employees will remain fully remote and available via phone, email, mail and video calls, just like always.

Hancock Askew also has physical office locations in Savannah, Atlanta and Augusta, Georgia; as well as Miami, Jacksonville, Tampa and Orlando, Florida.

Will the company have a new name?

Yes! Willeford Group will now be known as Hancock Askew & Co., LLP (HAC).

How do I contact my accountant?

Our main phone number will remain the same: 770-552-8500.

Effective immediately, the email addresses of the Willeford team will change. The new team email addresses are set up in the following way: 

[first initial][last name]@hancockaskew.com

For example, if you would like to contact Kate Willeford, her new email address is KWilleford@hancockaskew.com.

Please update your service team’s contact information.  Our old email addresses will temporarily forward to the new email addresses, and we will alert you when that time period ends.

Can I still access the Willeford Group client portal?

At this time, the client portal is still available and can be accessed here: Login (netlinksolution.com). If the client portal will expire, we will provide clients with further instructions at that time.

If you have additional questions, please give us a call at: 770-552-8500