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September 2, 2024 / 2024 Lifetime Achievement & C-Suite Honorees

2024 C-Suite Honoree: Drew Andrews

HBJ PHOTO | MICHAEL PUFFER Whittlesey CEO Drew Andrews continues to work out of his Hartford office, even though all but a handful of staff generally opt to work from home. Andrews said he tries to set an example and maintain his availability.
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Drew Andrews, CPA, has dedicated his career to public accounting. He is a respected, passionate leader advancing the accounting profession and an active philanthropist.

Since 2008, Andrews has been the managing partner and CEO of Whittlesey. He is responsible for developing and executing the firm’s strategy, focusing on innovation and implementing AI and automation to meet the evolving needs of the firm’s clients while enhancing competitiveness and operational excellence.

Additionally, he serves a select client base and mentors others. Under his leadership, Whittlesey has evolved from a local firm with a single office to Connecticut’s largest independent CPA firm. This growth involved increasing revenue more than fourfold, expanding from one to three offices across two states, and integrating four firms into the organization’s culture.

This growth positioned Whittlesey as an Inside Public Accounting Top 200 Firm, Inside Public Accounting Best of the Best Firms, and a Top 10 New England Firm.

What have been your biggest professional accomplishments over the past year? Over the past year, one of my biggest professional accomplishments was having the firm nationally recognized for its financial and operational excellence as one of Inside Public Accounting’s Best of the Best Firms for the second consecutive year — positioning us as leaders in the industry.

We are the only Connecticut and western Massachusetts-based firm to make this list. This achievement underscores our dedication to continuous improvement and innovation, our team’s pursuit of excellence and commitment to our clients, and the trust they put in us each day.

In what ways are you involved in the community? My commitment to community service strongly aligns with Whittlesey’s core values of giving back to the communities where we live and work. Our firm services over 400 nonprofits, sponsors over 100 events annually and participates in community initiatives. I have served on numerous boards for nonprofit and professional organizations.

I continue to be actively involved with the Connecticut Society of CPAs and the Connecticut Business & Industry Association. In addition, I am a supporter of youth sports, having coached local teams and served as president of my church’s parish council for seven years, where I oversaw executive and administrative services.

On the job

Guiding business principle: Do the right thing, and good things will happen. Do the right thing for your clients, team and community.

Best way to keep your competitive edge: Build a great team and give them the tools to succeed. Embrace change, stay curious — keep learning, and have a passion for excellence in all areas of your life.

Best business decision: Trusting my instincts to make difficult decisions

Personal touch in your office: Family photos

Personal side:

Place of residence: Avon and Old Saybrook

Favorite way to relax: Attending UConn basketball and football games

Hobbies: Reading and spending time with my family

Last vacation: My most recent vacation was relaxing and spending time with my family and friends at my home in Old Saybrook.

The car you drive: Mercedes

Currently reading: “Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance,” by Angela Duckworth

Favorite cause: All of the firm’s nonprofit clients. They are fantastic organizations and are making a meaningful impact in our communities.

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Drew Andrews

Managing Partner & CEO

Whittlesey

Size of organization: $40M; 170 employees

Education: Bachelor’s Degree, Business Administration, Bryant University

 

 

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