HCVT becomes ESOP, rebrands | Accounting Today

• Key Insight: Here’s why Holthouse Carlin & Van Trigt is establishing an employee stock ownership plan.
• Expert Quote: “We want to stay independent” — Vicken Haleblian, CEO

California-based Top 100 Firm Holthouse Carlin & Van Trigt announced that it has established an employee stock ownership plan, and that it will rebrand itself as Holthouse.
The firm chose to become an ESOP to help it maintain its independence at a time when many accounting firms in the Top 100 are taking investment from private equity firms and other outside partners.

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“We want to stay independent,” said CEO Vicken Haleblian, in a statement Thursday. “It has defined who we are for 35 years, and it’s a big part of why people choose to build their careers here. The ESOP helps us continue that.”

The firm is also aiming to reward eligible staff with ownership stakes that they can earn over time.

“Our firm has always been about our people and our clients,” said chairman Phil Holthouse, in a statement. “Historically, the partners have owned the firm, and we look forward to extending that to our employees.”

The terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

HCVT joins a handful of other major accounting firms in establishing an ESOP: BDO USA set one up in 2023, New York-based Grassi & Co. did the same later that year, and Indianapolis-based KSM has been one for decades.

As part of the change, the firm is rebranding itself to Holthouse from HCVT, which had been its name since its founding in 1991. The rollout of the new brand will continue into 2027.

“Employee ownership is a big step for us, and a new name felt like the right way to mark it,” Haleblian said. “When our three founders started out, I don’t think any of them pictured a firm of more than 800 people. A lot has changed since then, but not what our founders started with. The focus has always been on technical expertise, sound judgment, direct access, and exceptional service, and we will continue that as Holthouse.”

Based in Los Angeles, the firm has 16 offices in five states, and ranked No. 31 on Accounting Today’s 2026 list of the Top 100 Firms, with $291 million in revenue, close to 80 partners, and almost 800 employees.

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