1962 was a special year. John Glenn broke records for three days' manned flight in space. Jackie Robinson was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. And Paul Brown opened a small accounting office in the basement of his Evanston home. What started as a small venture the year the Beatles broke into the American market has become Brown, Kaplan & Company, LLP, the largest accounting firm in Evanston.

When asked to pinpoint the single factor for his firm's success over the past 38 plus years, Paul boils it down to one word, "service." "We all take great care to identify each client's needs and focus on providing the particular service that satisfies those needs."

The firm's range of clients are remarkable. The company serves clients in retail; wholesale; light manufacturing; services including architects, engineers, planners and consultants of all types. Among the biggest clients are a newspaper publisher of daily newspapers and a major trade magazine. Other clients include a booming radio station in Nevada; non-profit groups, both charitable and civic; home improve contractors, real estate companies, both in the United States and foreign countries. Size of clients' operations range from a one-person business to multi-state operations with 500 plus employees and everything in between.

One of Paul clients, the owner of a small consulting firm, says of him: "When I mention Paul Brown's name to most any business/civic leader in Evanston, they all rave about his integrity and talent." Brown is so highly respected that he has been one of two CPA's in a roundtable discussion of tax issues on WGN radio's Milt Rosenberg Show. A point of special pride for Paul is his company's track record with the IRS. "Because we know what we're doing, we feel good about the advice we give our clients. We always make sure tax forms are prepared carefully. We do well in presenting the client's position in an audit thanks to the painstaking and thoughtful preparation and planning that has gone into each phase of the process."

With a heavy workload, Paul has always found time to be a leader in the community. Of course, he has served as treasurer for many groups including the Evanston Historical Society; is a former president of the Evanston Public Library Board of Trustees, and has volunteered with the Evanston Library Friends and the McGaw YMCA. He is currently president-elect of Rotary Club of Evanston Lighthouse. Paul is a member of the American Institute of CPA's and the Illinois CPA Society.

When Paul scored second in the State of Illinois CPA exam, he was disappointed that he didn't place first. A perfectionist who strives to be the best in his field, Paul wants every client to feel he or she is as successful as possible in meeting financial goals.