Our History
65+ years of client services innovation continues to thrive.
Ward & Uptigrove’s commitment to provide high quality accounting and tax services along with the integration of specialized services allows the firm to continue to flourish and adapt to the ever changing world of finance and business.
The Early Years
Ward & Uptigrove Chartered Professional Accountants began in 1958 when Jack Ward opened the first CA firm in Listowel under the name J.C. Ward Chartered Accountant. Serving individuals and businesses, the firm grew through word of mouth and Jack’s networking, including speaking to each year’s veterinary college graduating class.
In the early 1970s, Jack decided to focus on his other businesses in the cable and dairy industries. He placed an ad to sell the public accounting practice and Bob Uptigrove, an accountant working in Kitchener at the time, joined Jack in 1973. The firm became Ward & Uptigrove and the two worked together until Jack’s departure in 1974.
Services Beyond Accounting
As the accounting practice continued to grow and partners were added, the consultative approach identified the firm could better serve clients by offering additional integrated services.
The wealth management division was founded in 1988 under the name UMA Financial Consultants Inc. and operated as a GIC and Life Insurance brokerage firm, providing financial planning services that coordinated with the accounting and tax services of Ward & Uptigrove.
The Firm Today
Ward & Uptigrove Chartered Professional Accountants currently has 16 partners and 6 principals and over 130 employees. This team is dedicated to providing over 7,000 clients high quality service through four integrated entities:
- Ward & Uptigrove Chartered Professional Accountants
- Ward & Uptigrove Bookkeeping & Software Consulting
- Ward & Uptigrove Human Resources Solutions
- Ward & Uptigrove Wealth Management