Joe Kraft was born to Boruch and Fannie Kraft in South Nashville in 1925. He later graduated from Vanderbilt University, where he played basketball. Joe and his wife, Elsie, had a son, Lee, and a daughter, Julie.
Joe opened his firm under his own name (Joe Kraft, CPA) in Nashville, clearing the path for what would become KraftCPAs PLLC.
Joe’s firm was renamed Kraft & Associates.
Leonard Esstman became Joe’s first partner in the firm.
Cyril Kraft, Joe’s brother, became a partner.
Maxie Patton became a partner.
Kraft & Associates moved to a larger location in Parkway Towers in Nashville.
Kent Harrell became a partner.
The firm was renamed Kraft Bros., Esstman, Patton & Harrell.
The firm expanded to Columbia, Tenn., following a merger with Bone, Hundley & Sanderson.
KraftCPAs received the Academy for Women of Achievement Corporate Award based on its positive work environment and overall engagement with female employees.
The firm adopted “KraftCPAs” as part of its logo but continued to operate as Kraft Bros., Esstman, Patton & Harrell.
Kraft Technology Group, LLC was formed as the first of several Kraft affiliates.
Vic Alexander became the first chief manager of KraftCPAs.
2nd Generation Capital, LLC was formed as Kraft’s second affiliate.
The firm expanded with a new location in Lebanon, Tenn.
Kraft received the Tennessee Society of Certified Public Accountants (TSCPA) Pathfinder Award for “epitomizing the CPA firm of the future.”
The oval K design in blue and gold was adopted as the firm’s new logo. (The gold color was dropped in 2015.)
Kraft Asset Management, LLC was formed with Stephen High as its president.
Kraft’s Nashville office relocated to 555 Great Circle Road in the MetroCenter area.
KraftCPAs acquired an interest in Axis Accounting Systems, LLC, now Kraft Enterprise Systems, LLC.
Kraft received the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) Public Service Award for distinguished public service and community involvement.
Lee Kraft accepted the firm’s first Best Places to Work Award from the Nashville Business Journal. Kraft has won the award almost a dozen times, most recently in 2022.
The firm was selected as one of the Ten Most Dependable Accounting Firms in the Southeast by Goldline Research.
Kraft’s 50th anniversary was commemorated with an outdoor customer appreciation event headlined by Nashville Mayor Karl Dean and a major community service project with the PENCIL Foundation.
The firm was chosen for the first time by Accounting Today as one of the Best Accounting Firms To Work For in America. Kraft has now received the award multiple times, including in 2022.
Affiliate Kraft Analytics, LLC was formed with Glenn Perdue as managing member.
Kraft received the American Society of Women Accountants Education Foundation Balance Award, which was presented to just three firms nationwide for providing leadership opportunities and work/life balance programs for female employees.
Kraft Healthcare Consulting, LLC was formed with Scott Mertie as its president.
KraftCPAs received the Better Business Bureau Torch Award for Ethical Commerce.
Kraft expanded to Chattanooga, Tenn., with the acquisition of Matheney Stees & Associates PC.