Maxwell Locke & Ritter has once again been recognized as one of INSIDE Public Accounting’s (IPA) 2026 Best of the Best CPA Firms, an annual distinction honoring high-performing accounting firms across North America.
The 2026 Best of the Best list includes 75 firms selected from more than 600 participants in the annual IPA Practice Management Survey. Firms are evaluated using a proprietary scoring model that considers more than 35 financial and operational performance metrics, including net revenue growth, governance practices, long-range planning, professional development, compensation models, outsourcing strategies, and process improvement.
ML&R was recognized in IPA’s Best Over $10 Million category and has earned the Best of the Best designation multiple times in recent years.
“Being named a Best of the Best Firm again is meaningful because it reflects the strength and consistency of our entire team,” said Kyle Parks, Leading Partner at ML&R. “As the firm grows, we remain focused on creating an environment where our people can do their best work, build lasting relationships with our clients, and continue raising the bar for how we serve them.”
According to IPA, Best of the Best firms demonstrate strong financial and operational performance while maintaining clear growth objectives, investing in workplace culture, and adapting to changes across the profession.
For ML&R, that focus includes continuing to invest in its people while evolving its services and capabilities to meet the changing needs of clients.
“This recognition is a reflection of the thoughtful decisions our people make every day,” said Todd Miller, Tax Partner at ML&R. “We want to grow in a way that strengthens the firm while preserving the relationships, collaboration, and level of service that have always been important to ML&R. Receiving this recognition year after year tells us those priorities continue to make a difference.”
The Best of the Best honor follows ML&R’s recognition earlier this year as a 2026 IPA Top 200 Firm, another annual designation based on IPA’s Practice Management Survey. Together, the recognitions highlight the firm’s continued growth and commitment to building a sustainable, independently owned and managed accounting and advisory firm.
About INSIDE Public Accounting
INSIDE Public Accounting is a source of benchmarking data, analysis, and news for the public accounting profession. For nearly three decades, IPA has recognized top-performing firms through its annual Best of the Best designation. The recognition is based on financial and operational data submitted through the IPA Practice Management Survey and is designed to identify firms demonstrating sustained performance and sound management practices.
