Williams Adley Looks Back on 40 Years of Excellence in Service to Federal Agencies and Celebrates Enduring Legacy
A Model of Customer Experience and Investment in Employees, Williams Adley
Sets a High Bar for the Accounting Industry
Washington, DC | September 6, 2022 — As Williams Adley, a CPA and advisory firm with a strong emphasis on federal agencies, celebrates its 40th anniversary, its long history of success is brought into focus. Williams Adley was founded in 1982 in Oakland, California by two black CPAs who dreamt of building a legacy for generations to come. Over the next four decades, Williams Adley would establish an industry-leading firm in Washington, DC with a record of providing unmatched financial and advisory services to the Federal Government. Moreover, Williams Adley has built from this success to champion small, minority-owned firms, and has tirelessly fought to reduce business barriers and expand the opportunities accessible to small businesses.
Williams Adley’s expert team of CPAs, CISAs, and Project Managers has proudly served over 40 civilian and federal agencies, spanning six continents and over 60 countries. Their success is driven by talented individuals from all walks of life working in unison toward a single purpose: easing the burden of federal financial management and compliance.
Part of easing that burden is knowing what the client needs, asking the important questions, and, most crucially, listening to them. To that end, Williams Adley touches base with their clients not only through formal surveys, but also while on the job through ongoing and attentive communication; no matter what sudden changes or unexpected challenges present themselves, Williams Adley is poised to take action to better serve client needs. It is a testament to the unique value of Williams Adley’s services that some of their largest clients have remained with them for over a decade.
How has Williams Adley provided value to your organization?
“Williams Adley’s greatest strength is its people. Its people are what has provided the greatest value to our organization. Williams Adley’s people are experts in their respective fields, IT savvy, driven, team-oriented, and strive to meet the client’s goals at all times.” – Paul Gvozdov, Director, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
“Through the years, Williams Adley has always provided top value to our OIG in terms of understanding the international business of the federal agencies that we oversee, building professional relationships with all of the key domestic and international players, staying abreast of auditing standards, accounting principles, and various other authoritative guidance.” – Damian Wilson, Audit Director, USAID Office of Inspector General
How would you describe your experience working with Williams Adley personnel?
“Absolutely amazing. They do not stop until the task is finished and will do whatever it takes to complete the task. Their approach is innovative and their ability to come up creative solutions to problems is exemplary.” – Paul Gvozdov, Director, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
“I’ve always had a very positive and thought-provoking experience working with Williams Adley personnel.” – Damian Wilson, Audit Director, USAID Office of Inspector General
“A lot may have changed over 40 years, but not our commitment to clients, the values that guide our work, or our focus on growing an incredibly talented, diverse team. Simply stated, 40 years have set the stage…and the future for Williams Adley looks brighter than ever.”
In addition to providing clients with exceptional service, Williams Adley is also committed to the growth of its employees. The firm goes to great lengths to provide a work environment where its employees are empowered to develop their skillsets and reach their full potential. If they have the desire and put in the hard work, every person at the firm has a pathway to the top. Williams Adley is training its employees to be the best and the brightest in the industry and to exceed client expectations.
Williams Adley also provides its employees ample opportunities to travel the world. Because Williams Adley serves federal and NGO clients across six continents, employees are regularly able to travel to a variety of locales, and they are encouraged to extend their visits in order to appreciate the broad range of sights, peoples, and cultures that make up our richly interdependent world.
Furthermore, Williams Adley deeply values community service and has made a priority of giving back to its community through the WA Cares program, which has contributed thousands of dollars to local charities over the years. The WA Cares program offers employees a chance to feel more meaningfully integrated into their communities through service and allows them to make contributions that they believe in.
Unlike many firms during the Great Resignation, Williams Adley has had relatively little trouble attracting and retaining top talent. How? The firm credits its close-knit culture, commitment to building a diverse team, and its many opportunities for professional and personal growth. Additionally, DEI remains an important element of the firm, which is proud to employ staff that are sixty-seven percent people of color and fifty-four percent women, and it offers anti-harassment policies and healthcare plans that fully include and protect members of the LGBTQ+ community. Williams Adley demonstrates that success comes from valuing all individuals and drawing on the diversity of thought that each person brings to the table.
“I believe that this organization is committed to providing an environment for its employees to develop both personally and professionally, while providing the highest level of service to our clients. Leadership’s encouragement to continuously look to improve business processes and create a culture that is unmatched makes working at Williams Adley the right choice. I would recommend this firm as an employer to all of my peers and believe that it is on a trajectory of continued success in the federal contractor arena." – Elizabeth Lainhart, Supervisor, Williams Adley
Due no doubt in large part to its commitment to employees, many Williams Adley alumni retain strong connections with the firm. Over the years, Williams Adley has forged a legacy of leading the industry with financial management and auditing expertise while fostering future agency leaders. Many of its alumni are now shaping the way today’s federal agencies approach finance, evidencing the positive and remarkable influence that Williams Adley has both on individuals and on the industry.
Describe how your experience at Williams Adley prepared you for your current position?
“Williams Adley & Company was a key differentiator in the early development of my career. One of my first jobs upon graduating, as a first-generation college graduate, it is where I first learned the intersection of personal and professional pride. It is where I learned the importance of technical acumen and competence strengthened through professional certification. It is where I first saw leaders who looked like me, which provided me with confidence and helped me visualize myself in leadership roles, beyond what I could see for myself. It is where my full authentic self was embraced and celebrated, before the advocacy for DEI was as it is today. Williams Adley—the company, the people, the culture—was formative in who I am as a leader today. And for that, I am forever grateful.” – Calandra Layne, Director, Financial Improvement and Audit Remediation, Office of the Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller)
So, what’s next for Williams Adley? The firm is on track to fulfill its mission to be the “firm of choice” for government agencies and the “employer of choice” for top talent seeking to advance their careers. In fact, to the firm’s leadership, these two goals are inseparable.
“A lot may have changed over 40 years, but not our commitment to clients, the values that guide our work, or our focus on growing an incredibly talented, diverse team. Simply stated, 40 years have set the stage…and the future for Williams Adley looks brighter than ever.” – Kola Isiaq, Managing Partner, Williams Adley
About Williams Adley
Williams Adley is a CPA and advisory firm that specializes in helping federal agencies manage complex accounting, financial, and information systems security challenges. The firm helps government agencies deliver on their missions around the world with integrity, greater efficiency, and far less risk.
We welcome you to learn more about Williams Adley and how we’ve been building a legacy that can withstand the test of time.
Media Contact
Melinda R. Buck
Business Development & Proposal Lead
Email: mbuck@williamsadley.com
Phone: 240-220-4020