Accounting firm Eck, Schafer, & Punke has acquired another practice and significantly expanded its downtown office.
ESP was founded in 1994 and has always been headquartered in downtown Springfield, although not in the same building. The firm moved to its current location, 227 S. Seventh St., in 2014 and originally occupied the second floor. Conn’s Hospitality Group owned and operated the first floor space, first as a home décor and furnishing store known as Merchant House and later as an event venue.
Last year, four of the ESP partners purchased the rest of the building from the Conns and began working with Evan Lloyd Architects and O’Shea Builders to renovate and reconfigure the first floor. It added an additional 12,000 square feet of space to the firm’s existing office.
“Most CPA firms are decreasing, but we’re growing,” said Kristi Corpin, a partner with ESP. “We’re doing things differently; our people are working in the office.” She said the firm currently has around 50 employees.
Partner Jim Hogge said he believes having everyone working out of a shared space, particularly when many companies have gone to remote or hybrid work, helps set ESP apart. “It leads to better communication among employees, and better client relationships,” Hogge said.
In addition to creating more office space and storage, a section of the first floor was built out as a multipurpose room to be used for employee training, networking and client events. It has been designated “Paul’s Place” in honor of ESP cofounder Paul Schafer, who died in 2021 following a battle with cancer.
“That’s what Paul was all about – work hard, play hard,” said Corpin.Â
ESP acquired the accounting firm Pehlman & Dold as of July 1, which previously operated out of an office at 100 N. Amos Ave. Robin Malloy, who had been a partner with Pehlman & Dold, joined ESP as a partner and brought her team of two CPAs, a staff accountant, an accounting services associate and an administrative assistant.
Malloy said she made the decision to join ESP after the other two partners left Pehlman & Dold. “That would have been a lot to continue the practice on my own,” she said.
The other two partners were Todd Anderson, who retired, and Jamie Nichols, who decided to change careers.
“This strategic acquisition enhances ESP’s service offerings and expands its reach, bringing together the best of both firms’ expertise, talent and client-focused approaches,” said Corpin. “Having Robin join our team allowed for a smooth transition and continued support for existing clients.”
ESP is holding a grand opening for the new space and ribbon cutting with the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 7.
This article appears in SBJ July 2025.