About Alerding CPA Group · Indianapolis
Alerding CPA Group is an Indianapolis-based certified public accounting and consulting firm founded on May 1, 1998, by partners Mike Alerding, Mike Staton, and Mike Farmer to deliver more personalized service than larger firms could offer. The firm specializes in audit, accounting, tax, and consulting services for closely-held businesses and nonprofit organizations across the Midwest, and was acquired by Blue & Co. in November 2022. Headquartered at 4181 E. 96th Street, Suite 180, Indianapolis, IN 46240, Alerding CPA Group has earned recognition including the INSIDE Public Accounting Top 400 (2018), a 'Best Places to Work in Indiana' (2019) designation, and inclusion in Forbes' America's Best Tax and Accounting Firms (2021).
Alerding CPA Group traces its origins to May 1, 1998, when founding partners Mike Alerding, Mike Staton, and Mike Farmer established the firm in Indianapolis on the belief that local clients would be better served with more personalized attention through a smaller firm, while also creating an employee-focused culture that values mentorship and work-life balance. Over more than two decades the firm grew into a leader in financial reporting, tax, and consulting services for a wide variety of closely-held and nonprofit organizations across the Midwest, adopting a signature 'whole client' approach that serves not only the business or organization but also the owners, executives, and management teams behind them. Their nonprofit practice covers associations, membership organizations, patriotic groups, Greek organizations, churches, governmental (A-133) entities, pension funds, and health and welfare organizations, while their business practice spans audit, review and compilation, ESOPs, mergers and acquisitions, business valuations, capitalization and financing, litigation support, QuickBooks, and full small-business accounting. Notable recognitions include being named to INSIDE Public Accounting's inaugural IPA Top 400 firms for 2018, being ranked the 17th largest Indianapolis-area accounting firm by the Indianapolis Business Journal, earning a 2019 'Best Places to Work in Indiana' award, and appearing on Forbes' America's Best Tax and Accounting Firms (2021). In November 2022, Alerding CPA Group was acquired by Blue & Co., deepening that firm's service offerings in the Indianapolis market while preserving the Alerding team's client-first philosophy.
- In business
- 27 (founded May 1, 1998; incorporated April 2, 1998)
- Owner
- Founding partners: Mike Alerding, Mike Staton, and Mike Farmer; Michael Staton served as Managing Director; Michael Alerding serves as Senior Director
- Serves
- Indianapolis and the broader Midwest; serving closely-held businesses and nonprofit organizations across Indiana and surrounding states
- Rating
- A+ BBB rating (27 years in business per BBB)
About Alerding CPA Group
Alerding CPA Group is an Indianapolis-based certified public accounting and consulting firm founded on May 1, 1998, by Mike Alerding, Mike Staton, and Mike Farmer. The partners created the firm because they believed local clients would be better served with more personalized attention through a smaller firm, while also building an employee-focused culture built on mentorship and work-life balance. Over more than two decades, the firm has grown into a recognized leader in financial reporting, tax, and consulting services for closely-held businesses and nonprofit organizations across the Midwest.
- Founded May 1, 1998; incorporated April 2, 1998
- Acquired by Blue & Co. in November 2022
- Headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana
- Approximately 30 employees per BBB
The 'Whole Client' Approach
Alerding CPA Group's philosophy is what Managing Director Mike Staton calls a 'whole client' approach — service that goes beyond the company or organization itself to include personal tax and financial planning for the owners, executives, and management teams behind the scenes. This integrated strategy produces better outcomes for owners and the businesses they run, and is a major reason much of the firm's work comes through client referrals and from other CPA firms that are either too large or too small to serve specific client needs.
Services for Businesses
For closely-held businesses, Alerding CPA Group provides financial guidance and support throughout the entire lifecycle — from startup through growth, transition, succession, or sale. Whether a client is just starting out or thinking about an exit, the firm's team can help navigate simple and complex needs alike.
- Audit, Review & Compilations
- Tax Planning & Preparation
- Bookkeeping & Payroll
- Entrepreneurial Services
- Financial Projections
- Capitalization & Financing / Bank Financing
- Mergers & Acquisitions
- Business Valuations
- Buy/Sell Agreements
- Succession Plans & Exit Strategies
- Litigation Support
- QuickBooks Consulting
- ESOPs (Employee Stock Ownership Plans)
- Small Business Services
Services for Nonprofit Organizations
Alerding CPA Group maintains a deep nonprofit (NFP) practice guided by the tagline 'Passion. People. Purpose.' The firm helps nonprofit organizations stay compliant and grow their financial investments so they can focus on their missions. Reporting services include audit, review, and compilation, along with long-term planning and board governance training. Tax planning and preparation experts keep organizations up to date with ever-changing tax laws and complex transactions, including benefit plans, profit sharing, and pension planning.
- Audit, Review & Compilation
- Long-term planning
- Board governance training
- Tax planning & preparation
- Pension & profit sharing plan guidance
- Industries served: associations, membership organizations, patriotic groups, Greek organizations, churches, A-133 governmental entities, pension funds, health and welfare organizations
Services for Individuals
Alerding CPA Group also provides tax preparation and personal financial planning for individuals, including executives and key management teams who receive accounting and planning services as part of their company's executive benefits plan. The team helps individuals navigate financial planning and reporting with the same care applied to the firm's business and nonprofit clients.
- Personal tax preparation & planning
- Retirement planning
- Estate planning & management
- Employee benefit consulting
Leadership & Team
Alerding CPA Group is led by an experienced team of directors and administrators who support both the firm's audit/accounting and tax practices. Contact information for the leadership team is published through the BBB profile and the firm's directory listings.
- Michael Staton – Managing Director (formerly President)
- Michael Alerding – Senior Director
- Michael Farmer – Director of Audit & Accounting
- Jered Fuquay – Director of Audit & Accounting
- David Garrett – Director of Taxation
- Lou Taylor – Director of Taxation
- Allie Petty-Stone – Firm Administrator
- Chris Mennel – Nonprofit contact (cmennel@alerdingcpagroup.com)
Recognitions & Awards
The firm has earned a series of recognitions for growth, workplace culture, and industry standing. These honors reflect both client service and a strong internal culture valued by the firm's founders.
- INSIDE Public Accounting (IPA) Top 400 Firms – 2018
- 17th largest Indianapolis-area accounting firm – Indianapolis Business Journal
- 2019 'Best Places to Work in Indiana' – Indiana Chamber of Commerce and Best Companies Group
- Forbes America's Best Tax and Accounting Firms – 2021
- BBB A+ rating
Vision & Values
Alerding CPA Group's stated vision is 'to persist as a leading professional services firm that exceeds client expectations in known and indeterminate ways.' The firm seeks to do this through a collaborative, team-spirited culture that empowers its employees, advances the purpose of the clients it serves, and helps all parties realize victories along their respective journeys.
Office Location & Hours
The firm is headquartered on the east side of Indianapolis in a professional office park setting, with convenient access along East 96th Street. The Noblesville Chamber listing notes the office is located immediately east of hhgregg on East 96th Street. Standard business hours run 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday.
- 4181 E. 96th Street, Suite 180, Indianapolis, IN 46240
- Phone: (317) 569-4181
- Toll-free: (888) 922-4941
- Fax: (317) 569-0564
- Email: cpa@alerdingcpagroup.com
- Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM