At the heart of RSM US LLP today stands Brian Becker, the firm’s Managing Partner and Chief Executive Officer, who leads one of the United States’ largest tax, audit, and consulting firms. Yet more than ninety years ago, this great professional services journey began with just one man: Ira B. McGladrey, an ambitious accountant in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
From its founding in 1926 to its current role as a trusted adviser for middle-market companies across the U.S. and Canada, the story of RSM US LLP is deeply rooted in leadership, innovation, and human ambition.
The Founding Vision: Ira B. McGladrey
Ira B. McGladrey was born in the late 19th century and grew up with a strong work ethic that carried him into the profession of accounting. After serving in World War I and returning with a sense of purpose, he began his career in accounting before taking a bold step in 1926: purchasing a small seven-person office from his employers to launch the I. B. McGladrey Company in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
McGladrey’s motivation was simple but powerful. He wanted to offer personal service and expert financial guidance to local businesses at a time when small and mid-sized firms were struggling with new tax laws and the evolving American economy. Under his leadership, the firm grew through local partnerships and expanded its service offerings beyond basic bookkeeping to include consulting services by the mid-1960s.
Colleagues from later generations would remember McGladrey not just for his technical skill but for his commitment to his clients. Although direct quotes from McGladrey himself are rare in modern publications, the firm’s Hall of Fame and historical records honor him for “changing the way accounting was practiced across the nation,” noting the strong ethical and service foundations he established.
Growth Through Merger and Modernization
As the firm matured through the 20th century, it continued to evolve. After McGladrey’s passing in 1952, successive partners guided the company through strategic expansions. In 1978, a merger with Broeker Hendrickson & Company strengthened the firm’s regional reach. A subsequent merger in 1987 with A.M. Pullen and Company created McGladrey & Pullen, which further expanded the firm’s footprint across the United States.
These strategic moves positioned the firm to compete more effectively in a rising professional services market. Over the years, RSM also broadened its expertise beyond traditional accounting into management consulting and tax services tailored for middle-market enterprises that are too large for local accountants but not served by the global giants.
The partnership with H&R Block in 1999, where McGladrey divested certain lines of business, and then reunification in 2011, revealed the firm’s resilience and focus on autonomy and quality service. By bringing back the full suite of services under partner ownership, McGladrey re-established a unified, partner-led culture that continues today.
In 2015, the firm formally adopted the RSM US LLP name as part of a global brand alignment with RSM International, a network of independent accounting and consulting firms around the world.
Leadership in the Modern Era: Joe Adams and Brian Becker
For much of the 2010s and early 2020s, Joe Adams served as Managing Partner and CEO, guiding the firm through significant growth. Under his leadership, RSM expanded its services, strengthened its culture of inclusion, and successfully united formerly separate business units into one cohesive firm. When Adams prepared for retirement, the board executed a careful leadership transition.
In 2022, Brian Becker succeeded Joe Adams as Managing Partner and CEO. Becker began his career at RSM as an auditor and built his experience across consulting and technology roles before assuming the top post. Reflecting on his appointment, he said, “I am thrilled to have been selected to serve as RSM US LLP’s next Managing Partner & CEO… we have a strong vision that will lead us through our 100th anniversary in 2026 and beyond.”
Becker’s leadership today reflects a balance between tradition and innovation. He champions digital transformation, invests in people development, and continues to uphold the firm’s purpose: to help middle-market companies navigate change with confidence.
Focus on Tax and the Middle Market
While RSM offers audit, consulting, and advisory services, its tax practice remains one of the firm’s most significant strengths. RSM works with businesses to help them understand complex tax codes, growth plans, and meet compliance requirements across jurisdictions. It’s this expertise that makes RSM a natural partner for middle-market companies, a group often too complex for smaller firms but lacking the budgets of global corporate clients.
The firm’s emphasis on understanding client needs is its guiding principle since McGladrey’s time positions it not just as a service provider but as a trusted advisor. This deep client engagement is reflected in industry rankings that list RSM among the most respected accounting and tax firms in the United States.
Legacy and Impact on the Industry
From a modest office in Iowa to a nationwide firm with over 16,000 professionals, RSM US LLP has become a major voice in consulting and professional services. Its journey highlights the value of adaptability, strategic leadership, and a commitment to service. Through leadership transitions and global integration, the firm continues to honor its founding principles while evolving with the needs of a dynamic business environment.
As RSM US LLP approaches its 100th anniversary in 2026, its legacy in the tax consultancy world remains substantial. It has helped countless businesses grow, adapt to regulatory change, and make smart decisions grounded in insight and integrity, a fitting testament to Ira McGladrey’s original vision of helping clients succeed.
