ML&RPC

Firm History

Serving Central Texas For Over 30 Years

In 1991, Earl Maxwell, Tom Locke and Mark Ritter sat down at Cisco’s restaurant and wrote out a business plan on a napkin. That plan was the start of what has become the largest local accounting firm in Central Texas: Maxwell Locke & Ritter. Our founding partners believed that we should focus on three things: our clients, our people, and the community. They created a business philosophy based on core values that remains the basis of our unique culture today.

Earl Maxwell

Earl Maxwell

Earl Maxwell used his innovative approach and experience to author Service Prosperity and Sanity; Positioning the Professional Service Firm for the Future, and develop a unique firm dedicated to serving people. His legacy remains our firm’s philosophy: “We care for our clients, and we care for each other.” Earl’s focus on family, community and business established a family-­friendly workplace, a successful marriage and family with his wife and two sons.  After his retirement in 2007, Earl transitioned into the nonprofit world as the CEO of St. David’s Community Health Foundation. During his tenure, the Foundation made a significant impact in the Central Texas community, helping more than 100 nonprofit organizations receive funding for critical programs each year and giving more than $467 million in grants, scholarships and dental services throughout our region.  Earl retired from the Foundation at the end of 2019.

Tom Lockes

Tom Locke

Tom Locke sought to create and preserve wealth in a framework that supports a family’s values and enhances the family’s opportunities. By presenting complicated information in a simple way, Tom helped entrepreneurs pass their businesses to succeeding generations, grow through mergers and offer securities to the public. Tom’s biblical leadership at home influenced his support of our firm’s initiatives: put family first and foster spiritual development and ethics in the workplace. Until is passing in 2019, he believed, “Maxwell Locke & Ritter’s core values, the essence being our responsibilities to God and each other, center on what is truly important and enduring.”

Mark Ritter

Mark Ritter

Mark Ritter practiced public accounting in Central Texas for more than 40 years until his passing in 2008. An Austin native, Mark received his Bachelor of Science degree in business from St. Edward’s University in 1959, while serving with the Texas National Guard during the Cuban missile crisis.  A trusted advisor and friend, Mark dedicated himself to the Austin community, serving many organizations. His memberships included The Headliners Club, Rotary Club of Austin, and the Texas Society of CPAs. Informal memberships included his runner’s club, airplane pilots club, and hunting and fishing circles.

Accolades

  • 1990’s
  • 2000’s
  • 2010
  • 2011
  • 2012
  • 2013
  • 2014
  • 2015
  • 2016
  • 2017
  • 2018
  • 2019
  • 2020
  • 2021
  • 2022
  • 2023
  • 1990’s

    Austin Chapter of Texas Society of CPAs – Firm Special Recognition (1997, 1998)

    Austin Partners in Education Employers Support Parenting Award

    Austin Partners in Education Hall of Fame

    Austin Software Council – The Connector Award

    F.E.M.A.L.E. – Formerly Employed Mothers at the Leading Edge Family Friendly Business Award

    Quality Supplier Service Award from Austin White Lime Company

  • 2000’s

    Austin Business Journal’s Best Places to Work (2004 – 2009)

    Austin Business Journal’s Health Care Heroes—Employer/Business Leader

    Austin Chapter of Texas Society of CPAs—President’s Award

    Austin Independent School District—Austin Works: Recognition for contributing to the success of students by being a supported employer

    Austin Lyric Opera’s Perfect 10 Award

    Austin Mayor and City Council – Distinguished Service Award

    Austin Under 40 Award 2009 – Awarded to Kyle Parks in the “Business and Entrepreneurship” category

    Ballet Austin Corporate Balletomane Award

    Fund for Childcare Excellence – Family Friendly Business Designation—Gold Award

    Fund for Childcare Excellence – Family Friendly Business Designation—Platinum Award (2001, 2002)

    Profiles in Power and Women of Influence Award 2009 – Awarded to Stuart Vick Smith as an “Industry Standout”

    Quality Supplier Service Award from Austin White Lime Company (2001, 2003, 2008)

    Samaritan Center – Ethics in Business Award

    San Juan Diego Catholic High School Recognition

    Texas Society of CPAs Lone Star Pathfinder Award

  • 2010

    INSIDE Public Accounting Best of the Best Firm

    Austin Business Journal’s Best Places to Work

  • 2011

    Austin Business Journal’s Healthiest Employers in Central Texas

    Austin Business Journal’s Best Places to Work

    Ethics in Business Award from the Samaritan Counseling Center—Business Category

  • 2012

    Austin Business Journal’s Healthiest Employers in Central Texas

    Austin Business Journal’s Best Places to Work

    Austin Chamber of Commerce Greater Austin Business Awards—Community Relations winner in the Medium Division

  • 2013

    Austin Business Journal’s Healthiest Employers in Central Texas

    Accounting Today’s Best Firms To Work For

    INSIDE Public Accounting Best of the Best Firm

    INSIDE Public Accounting All Star Firms

    Austin Business Journal’s Best Places to Work

  • 2014

    Austin Business Journal’s Healthiest Employers in Central Texas

    Accounting Today’s Best Firms To Work For

    INSIDE Public Accounting Best of the Best Firm

    INSIDE Public Accounting Top 200 Firms

    American Heart Association’s Fit-Friendly Workplace – Gold Award

  • 2015

    Austin Business Journal’s Healthiest Employers in Central Texas

    Accounting Today’s Best Firms To Work For

    Accounting Today’s Top 100 Regional Firms

    INSIDE Public Accounting Best of the Best Firm

    INSIDE Public Accounting Top 200 Firms

    American Heart Association’s Fit-Friendly Workplace – Gold Award

  • 2016

    Accounting Today’s Best Firms to Work For

    Accounting Today’s Top 100 Regional Firms

    Austin Business Journal’s Healthiest Employers in Central Texas

    INSIDE Public Accounting’s Best of the Best Firms

    INSIDE Public Accounting’s 200 Fastest Growing Firms

    INSIDE Public Accounting’s Top 200 Firms

    American Heart Association’s Fit-Friendly Workplace – Gold Award

  • 2017

    Accounting Today’s Best Firms to Work For

    Accounting Today’s Best Accounting Firms for Women

    Accounting Today’s Beyond the Top 100:  Firms to Watch

    Accounting Today’s Top 100 Regional Leaders

    American Heart Association’s Fit-Friendly Workplace – Gold Award

    INSIDE Public Accounting’s Best of the Best Firms

    INSIDE Public Accounting’s Top 200 Firms

     

  • 2018

    Accounting Today’s Best Firms to Work For

    Accounting Today’s Best Accounting Firms for Women

    Accounting Today’s Beyond the Top 100:  Firms to Watch

    Accounting Today’s Top 100 Regional Leaders

    INSIDE Public Accounting’s Top 200 Firms

  • 2019

    Accounting Today’s Best Firms to Work For: #1 Medium-Sized Company

    Accounting Today’s Beyond the Top 100:  Firms to Watch

    Accounting Today’s Top 100 Regional Leaders

    INSIDE Public Accounting’s Best of the Best Firms

    INSIDE Public Accounting’s Top 200 Firms

    2019 Healthiest Employers of Central Texas

  • 2020

    Accounting Today’s Best Firms to Work For

    Accounting Today’s Beyond the Top 100: Firms to Watch

    Accounting Today’s Top 100 Regional Firms

    America’s Top Recommended Tax and Accounting Firms List by Forbes

    Best Workplaces for Commuters 2020 by the National Center for Transit Research

    INSIDE Public Accounting’s Best of the Best Firms

    INSIDE Public Accounting’s Top 200 Firms

     

     

     

  • 2021

    Accounting Today’s Best Firms to Work For: #1 Medium-Sized Company

    Accounting Today’s Best Firms For Women

    Accounting Today’s Beyond the Top 100: Firms to Watch

    Accounting Today’s Top 100 Regional Firms

    America’s Top Recommended Tax and Accounting Firms List by Forbes

    Best Places for Working Parents by Early Matters Greater Austin

    INSIDE Public Accounting’s Best of the Best Firms

    INSIDE Public Accounting’s Top 200 Firms

  • 2022

    Accounting Today’s Best Firms to Work For: #1 Medium-Sized Company

    Accounting Today’s Beyond the Top 100: Firms to Watch

    Accounting Today’s Top 100 Regional Firms

    America’s Top Recommended Tax and Accounting Firms List by Forbes

    Amplify Austin’s 1st Place for Most Dollars Raised for Medium Sized Companies

    Amplify Austin’s 1st Place for Highest Employee Engagement for Medium Sized Companies

    Austin Business Journal’s #2 Largest Austin Accounting Firms

    INSIDE Public Accounting’s Best of the Best Firms

    INSIDE Public Accounting’s Top 200 Firms

  • 2023

    Accounting Today’s Beyond the Top 100: Firms to Watch

    Accounting Today’s Top 100 Regional Firms

    Amplify Austin’s 1st Place for Highest Employee Engagement for Medium Sized Companies

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