Wipfli: National CPA and consulting firm Wipfli launches life sciences industry practice to focus on medical device companies

Press Contact

Jennifer Hacker Olsen

952.548.3389

jolsen@wipfli.com

Milwaukee, Wis. (January 6, 2011) — Wipfli LLP, a leading CPA and consulting firm, has formalized an industry practice that meets the needs of life sciences companies at every stage of development in the life cycle. The firm’s specialized industry practice will serve medical device companies providing them with a one-stop shop for their accounting, tax and consulting needs and with services that are tailored to each stage of the life cycle.

Driven by the firm’s experience serving medical device companies within the manufacturing industry practice and seeing the need for expanded services to this specific group of companies, the firm determined it would place added focus on medical device companies. The firm’s long-standing dedication to growing companies gives Wipfli added insight into the challenges faced by such companies historically and in today’s ever-changing and highly regulated business environment.

“While the firm has served life sciences companies for over 80 years, we saw a need to carve out this industry practice, increasing our focus on the medical device industry to help these organizations thrive,” Ron Hafner, co-leader for the life sciences industry niche said.

Ron Hafner and Mark Stevens, partners with Wipfli and co-leaders of this expanded niche, have extensive experience serving manufacturing companies and, more specifically, life sciences companies. With over 25 years of experience working with a Big Four firm and with Wipfli in the Minnesota market, Hafner has served a number of privately-held and publicly traded Minnesota-based life sciences companies at every stage of their life cycle throughout his career, working with companies on everything from venture capital financing to going public to SEC compliance. Stevens offers experience and skills developed through working more than 25 years in the manufacturing industry guiding companies through all facets of operational excellence and technology integration. He has served the medical device industry, designed and implemented Lean/Sigma best practices, and installed technology-enabling solutions that have reduced process variability, minimized risk, improved industry compliance, and reduced lead times.

“This expanded practice will greatly benefit Wipfli’s medical device clients through the increased focus on their needs,” Stevens said. “With Wipfli, medical device companies will benefit from the expertise, resources, and wide range of services of a national firm with over 80 years of experience, along with the personal attention and industry focus they need to face the increasing challenges in the industry. Wipfli can give them the best of all worlds.”

To learn more about Wipfli’s life sciences service offering, please visit http://www.wipfli.com/lifesciences.

About Wipfli LLP

With more than 950 associates and 19 offices in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, the state of Washington, and two offices in India, Wipfli ranks among the largest accounting and business consulting firms in the nation. Wipfli can advise in all areas of business, from finance and operations to human resources, information technology, and customer relationships. Wipfli’s clients include manufacturers, health care organizations, financial institutions, nonprofit entities, dealerships, contractors and developers, small businesses, and individuals. Wipfli’s 81-year legacy of helping its clients succeed is a point of pride for each of the firm’s partners and associates. For more information, visit http://www.wipfli.com.