The History of Mitchell & Titus: At a Glance

Bert N. Mitchell started a sole proprietorship accounting firm in 1973 after a successful career working for several accounting firms, including serving as a partner with Lucas Tucker & Co., the oldest Black CPA firm in the U.S. Bert departed Lucas Tucker to fulfill his vision of leading a firm that would provide quality accounting services by Black and minority accountants on his terms. After growing his own firm for one year, he sought to expand. In 1974, Bert invited Robert P. Titus, a colleague then working as a sole-practitioner, to join his firm as a partner. Bob reviewed Bert’s financial statements and was impressed with what Bert had accomplished. He accepted Bert’s offer and Mitchell & Titus was born.

These two visionaries started their namesake firm to offer better opportunities for minority CPAs and to provide high quality services to an array of businesses. The firm was built on four main principles: choose clients very selectively; hire only high-quality people; provide the highest quality of services to clients; and develop a strategic plan that identifies targeted markets. Even with its growing personnel and revenues, the firm still operates under these principles today.

A history enriched with strong leadership and smart business decisions has led Mitchell & Titus to be the largest African American-controlled CPA firm in the nation.

Firm Milestones:

In 1974, Bert Mitchell and Robert Titus formed a partnership that resulted in Mitchell & Titus LLP.

In the late 1970s, the firm targeted not-for-profit, community-based organizations receiving federal grants from the Great Society programs. Among the first large not-for-profit clients were the Economic Commission of Nassau County (NY), and Recruitment and Training, Inc. of the A. Philip Randolph Institute.

In 1979, the firm opened its Washington, D.C. office to be better positioned for government contracts.

In 1978, Mitchell & Titus broke new ground by pioneering joint venture projects with the then “Big Eight” accounting firms. The firm entered a joint venture agreement with KPMG Peat Marwick to conduct New York City's first independent audit. Joint ventures and minority participation contracts attributed to the firm’s growth throughout the late 1980s, during the time when the “Big Eight” became the “Big Six.”

In the early 1980s, the firm began a joint venture relationship with Ernst & Young LLP, which included the joint audit of the City of New York for many years.

In 1984, Mitchell & Titus acquired New York-based, black-owned accounting firm Stewart, Benjamin and Brown, which expanded its client base and resources.

In 1986, Mitchell & Titus established a management consulting division to attract commercial clients and take part in the growing consulting industry.

In 1990, the firm established a Philadelphia office through its acquisition of Philadelphia-based Leevy, Redcross & Co.

In 1995, Robert Titus retired.

In 2005, Mitchell & Titus established a New Jersey presence by acquiring Frye, Williams, & Co. in Rutherford, New Jersey.

In 2006, the firm added to its long list of groundbreaking achievements by becoming a member firm of
Ernst & Young Global Limited.

Mitchell & Titus - Certified Public Accountants - CPAs - Minority Business Enterprise Diverse Supplier - black-owned accounting firm specializing in accounting, audit, tax, business advisory, transaction support, audit compliance, employee benefit plan audits, asset management firms, Fortune 1000, audits for nonprofits, hospitality, manufacturers, real estate, commercial businesses, financial services, wealthy individuals in NY, PA, NJ, DC and MD.