Holthouse Carlin & Van Trigt Rebrands as Holthouse
The top 30 accounting firm adopts a new name and establishes an employee stock ownership plan to stay independent.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Corporate Finance
Live Poll
Do you trust big companies that take private equity money to keep serving customers well?
Holthouse Carlin & Van Trigt has rebranded as Holthouse, a top 30 U.S. accounting firm with more than 800 people. The firm also announced on October 29 that it established an employee stock ownership plan.
Why it matters
The rebrand carries forward the name of chairman Phil Holthouse, while the ESOP gives eligible employees an ownership stake they earn over time. The firm says the plan reflects its commitment to remain independent as several top 100 accounting firms have taken outside capital from private equity and other investors.
The firm employs more than 800 people across 16 offices in five states, including two offices opened in 2026 in Colorado and Utah. The size of the employee stock ownership plan and its percentage stake were not disclosed.
The players
Holthouse Carlin & Van Trigt
A top 30 U.S. accounting firm co-founded in Los Angeles in 1991 that is now rebranding under the name Holthouse.
Phil Holthouse
Co-founder and chairman of the firm whose name the rebranded firm carries forward.
The details
Co-founded in 1991 in Los Angeles by Phil Holthouse, Jim Carlin, and John Van Trigt, the firm established an employee stock ownership plan under which eligible employees receive an ownership stake earned over time. The transition to the Holthouse brand will continue over the coming months, with a full rollout expected in early 2027.
Timeline
1991: The firm was co-founded in Los Angeles by Phil Holthouse, Jim Carlin, and John Van Trigt.
October 29: The firm announced the establishment of its employee stock ownership plan.
2026: The firm opened two new offices, in Colorado and Utah.
Early 2027: The full rollout of the Holthouse brand is expected.
Independence Versus Outside Capital
Several of the top 100 U.S. accounting firms by revenue have taken outside capital from private equity firms and other investors. Holthouse's employee stock ownership plan offers an internal ownership path as an alternative to that trend.
Clients of the firm will see the Holthouse name roll out over the coming months, with the full brand transition expected in early 2027. The ESOP signals that the firm's ownership will be held in part by its employees rather than outside investors.
The takeaway
Employee ownership offers accounting firms a way to stay independent while rewarding staff with a stake in the business. As peers take outside capital, Holthouse's choice shows one alternative path for mid-sized firms.
Further reading
For more on how firms structure ownership and capital, see Corporate Finance coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by CPA Practice Advisor.
Live Poll
Do you trust big companies that take private equity money to keep serving customers well?
