Tim Reichert & Steve Kunz with The Hechtman Group
Building Success from the Ground Up at The Hechtman Group
For Tim Reichert and Steve Kunz, success at The Hechtman Group (THG), a premier accounting firm in North Shore, has been less about a single moment of triumph and more about the steady, persistent climb toward excellence in their respective fields. Both men, who have not only spent their entire careers at THG, but have also been identified as the future owners, exemplify what it means to grow within a company, turning early opportunities into long-term careers defined by leadership, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to their clients—core principles at THG.
The Hechtman Group is a full-service firm with expertise in real estate. In addition to outsourced CFO and controller services, THG provides bookkeeping, budgeting analysis, cash flow, and more through its Client Advisory Services. “We do more than just tax compliance. Our tagline is ‘Exceptional CPA Services for Small Businesses with Big Plans’ for a reason,” Steve explains. “Our best client relationships are those where we are part of the team that’s focused on setting and achieving future financial goals. More than half of our clients are in real estate.”
The Hechtman Group is a full-service firm with expertise in real estate. In addition to outsourced CFO and controller services, THG provides bookkeeping, budgeting analysis, cash flow, and more through its Client Advisory Services. “We do more than just tax compliance. Our tagline is ‘Exceptional CPA Services for Small Businesses with Big Plans’ for a reason,” Steve explains. “Our best client relationships are those where we are part of the team that’s focused on setting and achieving future financial goals. More than half of our clients are in real estate.”
Steve Kunz joined THG in December 2012, stepping into his first professional role straight out of college. His first day at the firm happened to be the day of the company holiday party—a fitting introduction to what would become a long and fruitful career. Tim Reichert’s journey at THG began in July 2015, soon after completing his master’s degree. It was his first full-time job too, but both men have since transformed their humble beginnings into influential roles within the firm.
Steve started as THG’s first tax season intern, primarily tasked with scanning documents. “It was pretty basic work,” Steve recalls. “But it laid the foundation for what would become our structured internship program.” Today, that program is a critical pipeline for high-quality talent at THG, with six interns each year receiving comprehensive training and contributing to meaningful projects. Steve’s rise to the position of senior tax manager is a testament to his dedication and the firm’s belief in nurturing talent from within.
Tim entered the firm with a strong foundation in accounting, inspired by the Financial Accounting course he took as a high school senior. His passion for numbers combined with the influence of his family—his mother and aunt both work in accounting—made his career choice a natural fit. “I’ve always been drawn to numbers,” Tim explains. “Accounting is often referred to as the ‘language of business,’ and that’s what intrigued me the most.”
One of the standout aspects of Tim and Steve’s careers is their shared commitment to continuous improvement—not just for themselves, but for their colleagues as well. Tim has been instrumental in establishing THG’s Learning Enrichment and Development (LEAD) Committee, which focuses on enhancing staff knowledge and developing future leaders. “It’s about being intentional,” Tim says. “We want to ensure that our staff members are not only technically skilled, but also well-rounded professionals.”
Steve’s focus has been on growth and brand building, both through client acquisition and talent attraction. He leads several of THG’s marketing initiatives and leverages social media, blog content, and networking to elevate the firm’s presence. “We’ve come a long way from where we started,” Steve reflects. “It’s rewarding to see how our efforts in marketing and branding have contributed to THG’s success.”
Both Tim and Steve share a vision of long-term success at THG, with goals that align closely with the firm’s mission of providing exceptional service while fostering a supportive and collaborative workplace. For Tim, that means one day stepping into a partner role while continuing to cultivate a firm culture that feels like family. “I want to spend my entire career here,” Tim says. “It’s not just about personal success. It’s about building something lasting with people you trust.”
Steve echoes this sentiment, with a focus on mentoring the next generation of THG professionals. “I was lucky to have great mentors who guided me,” Steve says. “Now I want to be that person for others and help them grow and succeed just as I have.”
Steve started as THG’s first tax season intern, primarily tasked with scanning documents. “It was pretty basic work,” Steve recalls. “But it laid the foundation for what would become our structured internship program.” Today, that program is a critical pipeline for high-quality talent at THG, with six interns each year receiving comprehensive training and contributing to meaningful projects. Steve’s rise to the position of senior tax manager is a testament to his dedication and the firm’s belief in nurturing talent from within.
Tim entered the firm with a strong foundation in accounting, inspired by the Financial Accounting course he took as a high school senior. His passion for numbers combined with the influence of his family—his mother and aunt both work in accounting—made his career choice a natural fit. “I’ve always been drawn to numbers,” Tim explains. “Accounting is often referred to as the ‘language of business,’ and that’s what intrigued me the most.”
One of the standout aspects of Tim and Steve’s careers is their shared commitment to continuous improvement—not just for themselves, but for their colleagues as well. Tim has been instrumental in establishing THG’s Learning Enrichment and Development (LEAD) Committee, which focuses on enhancing staff knowledge and developing future leaders. “It’s about being intentional,” Tim says. “We want to ensure that our staff members are not only technically skilled, but also well-rounded professionals.”
Steve’s focus has been on growth and brand building, both through client acquisition and talent attraction. He leads several of THG’s marketing initiatives and leverages social media, blog content, and networking to elevate the firm’s presence. “We’ve come a long way from where we started,” Steve reflects. “It’s rewarding to see how our efforts in marketing and branding have contributed to THG’s success.”
Both Tim and Steve share a vision of long-term success at THG, with goals that align closely with the firm’s mission of providing exceptional service while fostering a supportive and collaborative workplace. For Tim, that means one day stepping into a partner role while continuing to cultivate a firm culture that feels like family. “I want to spend my entire career here,” Tim says. “It’s not just about personal success. It’s about building something lasting with people you trust.”
Steve echoes this sentiment, with a focus on mentoring the next generation of THG professionals. “I was lucky to have great mentors who guided me,” Steve says. “Now I want to be that person for others and help them grow and succeed just as I have.”
Over the past ten years the two men have become close friends as well as close colleagues. You’ll find them attending concerts, street festivals, Chicago sporting events, and supporting local charities, as well as celebrating each other’s lives: Steve and his wife, Ashlynn, are eagerly expecting their first child, and Tim recently became an uncle.
As they continue to build on their successes at THG, both men are focused on the future—not just their own, but the future of the firm, its people, and its clients. “Success is about ongoing development and progress rather than a final destination,” Steve says. They aim to expand their specialty in real estate, further develop their Client Advisory Services, and continue to grow the firm, which has doubled in size over the past three years.
Together, Tim and Steve are not just following in the footsteps of those who came before them, they’re paving the way for the future of the Hechtman Group.