Whitlock relocating to East Sunshine Street office

A 40-year-old accounting firm is relocating to new digs on the east side of Springfield.

Josh Beaird, CEO of The Whitlock Co., said the firm intends to move Dec. 1 to 3810 E. Sunshine St., Ste 201, from 3271 E. Battlefield Road, Ste 300. The company is leasing roughly 8,500 square feet, smaller than its existing space, in an office building developed by Rita Baron's Raga Properties LLC.

"A big reason for that is the work world has changed," he said, declining to disclose lease terms and moving expenses. "It gave us an opportunity to get the right size for how our work flows."

Beaird additionally classified the move as part of a modernization effort that includes new branding that rolled out last month. The company is now doing business as Whitlock, he said.

"From a growth standpoint, the big piece is the recruiting side. In the accounting industry, it's difficult to find people right now. It's a very competitive landscape," Beaird said. "It's a very inviting space. It's a very collaborative space."

Whitlock ranked No. 6 on Springfield Business Journal's 2025 list of the area's largest CPA firms. Founded in 1985, the company reported 11 CPAs, eight partners and 27 total staff members for the list published Sept. 1.

Beaird said Whitlock's Springfield office is now up to 35 employees, and the company additionally has locations in Kansas City and Joplin.