Apex was launched on October 16, 1998. I set up shop in the basement of my parent’s home in West Chicago on a folding table and a Compaq computer with a 1-gig hard drive. I’m not afraid to admit I was a little scared that first day. I got a cup of coffee, plugged in the computer and just sat quietly for a good 15 minutes. Then I said to myself, “Well Jim, this is it. Now what are you going to do?”

The firm was originally named Apex Financial Group until it was later changed to Apex CPAs & Consultants, Inc. I started by calling the handful of clients I had and set up a lunch to talk about their needs. And it just evolved from there. Not until 2002 was a second employee added to the roster. So for the first four years, I assembled financial statements, prepared tax returns, answered phones and performed client work all by myself. It was a different time.

In June 2006 the office was relocated to 1652 E. Main Street in Saint Charles, Illinois, where we still are today. Apex has gone through a few transitions since its very humble beginnings and I have learned a lot along the way. One thing I can say for sure is that the team we have right now is the most cohesive and committed in the firm’s history. I have a very calm confidence when I think of the future.

Together with our clients Apex is building something to be proud of: A firm based on a clear vision supported by values that make us special.

May God bless all those who have been a part of the journey. The next 17 years will be something to behold.

Jim