History

1925

Joe Kraft was born to Boruch and Fannie Kraft in South Nashville in 1925. He later graduated from Vanderbilt University, where he played basketball. Joe and his wife, Elsie, had a son, Lee, and a daughter, Julie.

1958

Joe opened his firm under his own name (Joe Kraft, CPA) in Nashville, clearing the path for what would become KraftCPAs PLLC.

1963

Joe’s firm was renamed Kraft & Associates.

1963

Leonard Esstman became Joe’s first partner in the firm.

1964

Cyril Kraft, Joe’s brother, became a partner.

1965

Maxie Patton became a partner.

1968

Kraft & Associates moved to a larger location in Parkway Towers in Nashville.

1969

Kent Harrell became a partner.

1977

The firm was renamed Kraft Bros., Esstman, Patton & Harrell.

1981

The firm expanded to Columbia, Tenn., following a merger with Bone, Hundley & Sanderson.

1992

KraftCPAs received the Academy for Women of Achievement Corporate Award based on its positive work environment and overall engagement with female employees.

1993

The firm adopted “KraftCPAs” as part of its logo but continued to operate as Kraft Bros., Esstman, Patton & Harrell.

1993

Kraft Technology Group, LLC was formed as the first of several Kraft affiliates.

1993

Vic Alexander became the first chief manager of KraftCPAs.

1994

2nd Generation Capital, LLC was formed as Kraft’s second affiliate.

1997

The firm expanded with a new location in Lebanon, Tenn.

1999

Kraft received the Tennessee Society of Certified Public Accountants (TSCPA) Pathfinder Award for “epitomizing the CPA firm of the future.”

2000

The oval K design in blue and gold was adopted as the firm’s new logo. (The gold color was dropped in 2015.)

2002

Kraft Asset Management, LLC was formed with Stephen High as its president.

2003

Kraft’s Nashville office relocated to 555 Great Circle Road in the MetroCenter area.

2005

KraftCPAs acquired an interest in Axis Accounting Systems, LLC, now Kraft Enterprise Systems, LLC.

2005

Kraft received the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) Public Service Award for distinguished public service and community involvement.

2006

Lee Kraft accepted the firm’s firstĀ Best Places to Work Award from the Nashville Business Journal. Kraft has won the award almost a dozen times, most recently in 2022.

2008

The firm was selected as one of the Ten Most Dependable Accounting Firms in the Southeast by Goldline Research.

2008

Kraft’s 50th anniversary was commemorated with an outdoor customer appreciation event headlined by Nashville Mayor Karl Dean and a major community service project with the PENCIL Foundation.

2008

The firm was chosen for the first time by Accounting Today as one of the Best Accounting Firms To Work For in America. Kraft has now received the award multiple times, including in 2022.

2008

Affiliate Kraft Analytics, LLC was formed with Glenn Perdue as managing member.

2009

Kraft received the American Society of Women Accountants Education Foundation Balance Award, which was presented to just three firms nationwide for providing leadership opportunities and work/life balance programs for female employees.

2009

Kraft Healthcare Consulting, LLC was formed with Scott Mertie as its president.

2018

KraftCPAs received the Better Business Bureau Torch Award for Ethical Commerce.

2020

Kraft expanded to Chattanooga, Tenn., with the acquisition of Matheney Stees & Associates PC.

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