Decades of service, community, and kinship

1958 – Joe Kraft and Irving Hoffman, partners in the Hoffman & Kraft accounting firm, ended their partnership and began operating individually. Joe opened his firm under the name Joe Kraft, CPA, on Mulberry Street in south Nashville. It was the predecessor to the current KraftCPAs.

1963 – Leonard Esstman and Mickey Wehby became Joe’s first partners in the firm, which was renamed Kraft and Associates.

1968 – To keep up with growth, the firm moved to Parkway Towers in downtown Nashville and occupied part of the building’s lower level. (Twenty years later, the firm relocated to fill four floors of the building.)

1981 – The firm expanded outside Nashville when it acquired Bone Hundley & Sanderson in Columbia, Tenn.

1988 – Howard Safer became the firm’s first managing partner.

1990 – The first of several affiliate companies opened to expand the firm’s service options. The group was initially called Executive Development, Inc., later renamed The HR Group.

1993 – Following Howard Safer’s departure from the firm, Vic Alexander was elevated to the role of managing partner. Later that year, Joe Kraft died at age 68.

1996 – The firm converted its business entity from a general partnership to a Tennessee professional limited liability company (PLLC). As part of the requirements, the term “member” replaced “partner,” and the “managing partner” role was renamed “chief manager.”

1997 – The firm expanded to Lebanon, Tenn., when it acquired the practice of Michael Flanagan, CPA.

2000 – The firm became a member of The McGladrey Network, a global association of CPA firms. That group later became the RSM US Alliance, which later was restructured as Professional Services+ Collaborative.

2003 – Seeking additional space, the firm partnered with Freeman Webb Inc., to buy the former General Accident Insurance Company building. Kraft occupied one floor, with Freeman Webb on the other. (Freeman Webb relocated five years later, and Kraft occupied the full building.)

2004 – After operating as Kraft Bros., Esstman, Patton & Harrell for almost 40 years, members voted to adopt the name KraftCPAs.

2008 – The firm celebrated its 50th anniversary with a large outdoor event at its MetroCenter office. Nashville Mayor Karl Dean welcomed guests with opening remarks.

2020 – With the acquisition of Matheney Stees & Associates PC, Kraft expanded into Chattanooga, Tenn.

2024 – Chris Hight began his role as chief manager as Vic Alexander transitioned to an of-counsel position.