Accounting company cutting ties with six towns
Six small Massachusetts communities are suddenly on the lookout for accountant services after the president of a Maynard-based company decided to close shop.
Baystate Municipal Accounting Group recently notified the towns of Ashburnham, Hadley, Hatfield, Millville, Monterrey and Warwick that it is ceasing its services with those communities by Dec. 31.
The company was founded in 2009. Its president and founder, Jonathan Cole, told the News Service he is dealing with health issues and closing his firm.
"It was a difficult decision to move in this direction, but I have been struggling with some health issues for a while now, and it would be disingenuous for us to provide anything less than the best possible service to our client municipalities," Cole wrote in an email.
Mary Jane Handy, a member of the state Municipal Finance Oversight Board, informed board members last week that the company was "overextended," and said Baystate gave the communities the required 90 days notice.
"It's going to be difficult," Handy told the News Service, noting most Massachusetts cities and towns have in-house accounting staff.
Cole said he's working with the towns he serves to place them with either a traditional town accountant, or another service provider to ensure there are no disruptions to their operations. He also has a checklist of functions he intends to complete for the affected towns before wrapping up business.
The state Division of Local Services did not respond to inquiries about the situation or potential ways to aid the communities. Auditor Suzanne Bump, who chairs the municipal finance board, declined to comment.
WBJ Web Partners
Most Recent
Most Recent
0 Comments