Harding, Shymanski & Company has spent the last five decades building a reputation around relationships, collaboration, and long-term advisory services — and now the regional accounting and advisory firm is working to deepen its presence in Owensboro.
Founded in 1975 by Al Harding and Dick Shymanski, the firm began with a philosophy that differed from many traditional CPA firms at the time, according to Matt Folz, Evansville Region President.
“At that time, many CPA firms operated under a model where one CPA primarily served each client on their own,” Folz said. “Al and Dick saw an opportunity to do things differently.”
Rather than assigning clients to a single accountant, Harding, Shymanski & Company built a team-based approach centered on matching clients with professionals best suited for their specific needs and challenges.
“We view clients as clients of the firm, not just clients of one person,” Folz said. “That allows us to bring the right resources, experience, and perspective to each situation.”
The firm celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2025 and has grown to approximately 200 employees with offices in Evansville, Indiana, and Louisville, Kentucky.
While Harding, Shymanski & Company has maintained client relationships in Owensboro for years, Folz said the firm made a more intentional push into the market over the last year as leaders observed the city’s continued growth and momentum.
“As a firm, we are always looking for thoughtful ways to grow and serve businesses in strong, vibrant communities,” Folz said. “We continued to see the exciting growth and momentum taking place in Owensboro, and it became clear to us that this was a community where we wanted to be more engaged.”
That interest grew organically as firm leaders and employees increasingly visited Owensboro for community events and entertainment opportunities.
“Many of us had already been coming to Owensboro personally for events like Friday After 5, arts festivals, shows, dinners, and other community activities,” Folz said. “We were impressed by the energy and progress we saw.”
The firm began attending Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce Rooster Booster events before officially joining the chamber in fall 2025.
Folz said the firm believes it fills an important niche between smaller compliance-focused accounting firms and larger national firms that may not always align with privately owned businesses.
“With around 200 employees, we have the depth and resources to provide a broad range of services while still being relationship-driven and accessible,” Folz said. “Our goal is to be a true business advisor to our clients, not just a compliance provider.”
The company’s services include tax planning and compliance, wealth advisory and planning, accounting and auditing, payroll and client accounting services, succession planning, advisory services, and medical billing.
Across those service lines, Folz said the emphasis remains on helping clients make informed decisions and prepare for long-term success.
“Our focus is on helping clients make better decisions, plan for the future, and address the challenges and opportunities they face in their businesses,” he said.
As the firm expands its footprint in Owensboro, Folz said leaders want their presence to extend beyond business transactions.
“Being part of the Owensboro community means more to us than simply doing business there,” Folz said. “We want to build relationships, be present, and find meaningful ways to contribute.”
He said the firm values community involvement and sees investment in local communities as an important part of its culture.
“We believe strong communities are built when businesses and individuals are willing to invest time, energy, and resources back into the places where they work and live,” Folz said.
Folz also emphasized the company’s commitment to remaining independently owned — something he said is becoming increasingly rare within the accounting profession.
“Independence gives us the ability to remain nimble and make decisions that are best for our clients, our people, our firm, and the communities we serve,” Folz said.
Looking ahead, Folz said the firm intends to continue growing while remaining grounded in the relationship-focused philosophy established by its founders more than 50 years ago.
“We are proud of our history, but we are also very focused on the future,” Folz said. “Our goal is to continue building a firm that provides high-quality advisory and compliance services while staying true to the relationship-focused approach that has guided us since 1975.”
The Chamber Member of the Week program is a Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce membership benefit. Founded in 1913, the Chamber has worked to provide valuable benefits and services to member businesses and individuals for over a century.
Today, with nearly 1,000 members, the Chamber is a guiding force in community and business development initiatives and serves as the center of business advocacy for the Greater Owensboro region.
To learn more about becoming the Chamber Member of the Week or inquire about Chamber membership, contact Kitty Jones, director of membership, at 270-926-1860 or kjones@owensboro.com.
By John Kirkpatrick The Owensboro Times