New York-based IPA 100 firm Citrin Cooperman (FY23 net revenue $674 million) announced that co-founder Joel Cooperman left the firm on March 31, after over 40 years as CEO including the last four as executive chairman. Cooperman has been the driving force of the company’s growth and entrepreneurial spirit since it began in business in 1979, when a pair of legendary English rock bands provided the seed money needed to start the firm and set up shop in a small New York City apartment.
When asked to reflect on his career and the story of Citrin Cooperman, Cooperman said, “I can assure you that Niles Citrin and I never had any plans to build a firm larger than the two of us and maybe a couple of others. In the early years, accounting was still viewed primarily as a profession and not as a full business – this never really made sense to me. We felt that for long-term success it was critical to create a culture and environment that our partners and employees would enjoy as we all worked to build a thriving sustainable business.”
Over the years Cooperman, together with a very talented, collaborative team, acquired or merged in over 65 professional services firms and added many high-quality lateral partners. Doing this added tremendous value to the firm and its ability to provide comprehensive services to its clients.
When asked what guidance Cooperman could offer to those coming up in their career he said, “I have always been surprised that so many people do not really understand how much they have to offer, how much potential they have. If I could offer any advice, it would be to figure out what you are good at and what you love to do, make a plan, write it down and then go after it every day.”
