Founded in 2006 by Adam Boatsman and Dale Gillmore, BGW (originally Boatsman Gillmore & Associates) was established in Charlotte, North Carolina, with a mission to move beyond the reactive nature of traditional accounting. Engineered Tax Services notes that the firm’s identity is built on the pillars of Balance, Growth, and Wisdom, which inspired its rebranding to BGW in 2015. Over more than 35 years of collective history, including mergers and strategic expansions into South Carolina, the firm has positioned itself as a business-minded advisory partner. They operate using the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS), a framework that ensures their internal leadership and client strategies remain proactive, accountable, and focused on long-term value rather than simple transactions.
At its core, BGW distinguishes itself through a “businesspeople first, accountants second” philosophy, emphasizing that most of their leadership team has firsthand experience running companies. Engineered Tax Services highlights their “Anything But Typical” approach, which focuses on helping clients save money, stay out of trouble, and “have fun” throughout the process. This relationship-oriented culture extends to their team as well, as evidenced by their consistent ranking as one of the “Best Accounting Firms to Work For” by Accounting Today. By prioritizing transparency, responsiveness, and a “Strengths-Focused” environment, BGW maintains a boutique feel while providing high-level expertise in complex areas like M&A, wealth management, and strategic tax planning for closely held businesses.