Cover & Rossiter is Celebrating 75 Years of Serving Clients in Delaware
Cover & Rossiter is proud to have had the privilege of serving clients in Delaware for the past 75 years. Founded in 1939 by Clarence A. Cover as the original Wilmington office of McConnell and Breiden of Philadelphia, the firm has established and nurtured trusted and longstanding relationships with many of the area’s most prominent corporations, small businesses, nonprofit organizations, families and individuals.
As one of Delaware’s oldest and most respected certified public accounting and advisory firms, Cover & Rossiter’s history is very much entwined with the growth and development of the Wilmington area. Over the past 75 years, the firm has moved and expanded in keeping with the changing business and residential climate and demographics. Originally located at 9th and Orange Streets in downtown Wilmington, Cover & Rossiter has maintained offices in North Wilmington, Montchanin and now in its present location in Wilmington near Rockford Park. Regardless of its office location, the firm has been committed to serving the current and emerging needs of its clients throughout Wilmington and the surrounding region. Recognizing the population growth into lower Delaware, the firm opened a second office in Middletown in 2010 in order to better service new and existing clients “below the canal.”
Over the years, Cover & Rossiter has grown consistently in size and capability. Its emphasis has always been on providing personal and responsive service grounded in sound, individualized advice – a formula that has enabled its ongoing presence and growth. Beginning with a handful of employees, the firm is now comprised of over 30 people with a breadth of experience and capability that is second to none. The current partners – Geoff Langdon, Marie Holliday, Pete Kennedy, and Loretta Manning – remain dedicated to its history and commitment of service. One of Cover & Rossiter’s greatest successes has been assisting many of the area’s leading businesses, organizations, families and individuals to succeed in their endeavors, thereby strengthening the quality of life in Delaware.
While its rich heritage certainly provides a deep sense of tradition and experience, today’s Cover & Rossiter is anything but traditional. The firm now provides a full range of accounting and advisory services, including auditing services, investment holding company services, corporate tax services, personal tax services, trust and estate services, litigation support and forensic accounting services, financial planning and investment advisory services, small business accounting services, captive insurance audit services and international tax services.
In recent years, the firm’s success has been acknowledged through several awards that have served to validate its reputation and quality of services, including: 2012 Marvin S. Gilman Superstars in Business (Delaware State Chamber of Commerce), 2012 Business of the Year (Middletown Area Chamber of Commerce), 2012 Top Workplaces (The News Journal), and Psychologically Healthy Workplace (Delaware Psychological Association).
According to Geoff Langdon, Managing Director, who has been with the firm since 1984, “we are extremely mindful and proud of our heritage as one of Delaware’s leading CPA firms. But beyond our outstanding business relationships and portfolio of professional services, we have always been equally proud of the quality of our employees and their civic and community involvement.”
For its employees, Delaware is much more than a place to work – it is a place to be involved! Cover & Rossiter’s associates have always taken great pride in being active outside of the workplace. Associates routinely give of their time and talents to participate in numerous walk-a-thons, charity events, and service organizations, such as the Wilmington Rotary Club of Wilmington, Newark Morning Rotary Club and Food Bank of Delaware. Members of the firm also add their expertise by serving on the boards of directors of local organizations, including the Wilmington Housing Authority, Middletown Area Chamber of Commerce, M.O.T. Jean Birch Senior Center, Newark Day Nursery and Children’s Center, and Development and Research Innovations.
They also reach out to educate students and professionals alike. In education, the firm’s partners have taught courses in accounting, management and finance at the University of Delaware and Goldey-Beacom College. Cover & Rossiter’s associates are also frequent guest lecturers at local colleges and professional associations and contributors of articles in publications of financial, tax or general interest.
Maintaining professional skills and development is another passion of its associates, who are active participants as officers or members in many leading professional associations, including the American Institute of Public Accountants, Delaware Society of Certified Public Accountants, American Board of Forensic Accountants, Wilmington Tax Group, and the Estate Planning Council of Delaware. Several associates are past graduates of the Leadership Delaware program.
As Cover & Rossiter concludes and celebrates its first 75 years, the firm remains energized and optimistic about its future and that of the state of Delaware. Our advice is current … our client focus is timeless. It is with great pride that Cover & Rossiter has and will continue to serve the evolving needs of its clients throughout Delaware from our birthplace – the city of Wilmington.