We examined 20+ accounting firms serving the Lexington, Kentucky area. We ranked the top 8 using our proprietary ranking algorithm, which is listed below.
The purpose of this list is to help you choose the best accountant for your business. The rankings reflect the criteria most relevant to small-business and S-Corporation owners.
Here is the ranking algorithm:
Ranking Factors:
- S-Corp Tax Specialization (30%): Depth of expertise in S-Corporation taxation, reasonable compensation analysis, and distribution planning
- Personal CPA Service (25%): Whether a CPA personally prepares returns or supervises junior staff
- Service Integration (20%): Whether the firm offers integrated bookkeeping and tax planning vs. separate services
- Client Communication (15%): Accessibility and responsiveness to client questions throughout the year
- Years of Experience (10%): Length of time serving Kentucky businesses
Top Lexington Accountants
| Rank | Firm | S-Corp Tax Specialization | Personal CPA Service | Service Integration | Client Communication | Years Experience |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bluegrass Professional Associates (BPA) | Primary focus (60% of practice) | Matthew L. Ward, CPA, personally prepares returns | Bookkeeping + tax planning integrated | Direct CPA access | 25+ years |
| 2 | Dean Dorton | Corporate tax services | Partner oversight, staff preparers | Audit + tax + advisory | Account team structure | 90+ years (founded 1933) |
| 3 | Baldwin CPAs | Industry-specific (construction, auto) | Partner supervision model | Audit + tax + bookkeeping | Assigned team contact | 85+ years |
| 4 | Hicks & Associates | General business tax | Partner-led small firm | Audit + forensic + tax | Direct partner access | 14 years (founded 2011) |
| 5 | SLT CPAs | General business tax (multi-industry) | Named CPAs; team-based model | Est. 2025 (legacy firm experience) | Tax + accounting + payroll + fractional controller | “Culture of responsiveness” |
| 6 | Sterling CPAs | General small business | Staff accountants | Bookkeeping + payroll + tax | Email/phone support | Not disclosed |
| 7 | Besten & Dieruf | General business tax | Traditional CPA firm | Tax + audit + consulting | Standard office hours | 60+ years |
| 8 | Cherry Bekaert | Corporate/enterprise focus | Multi-office team structure | Audit + tax + advisory + technology | Regional office contact | National firm (acquired MCM 2023) |
The Top Accountants in Lexington, KY
1. Bluegrass Professional Associates (BPA)
Bluegrass Professional Associates is a veteran-owned CPA firm specializing in S-Corporation taxation for small businesses in the Louisville and Lexington areas. Matthew L. Ward, CPA, personally prepares all tax returns and provides year-round strategic planning, contrasting with larger firms where junior staff handle preparation under CPA supervision. The firm integrates bookkeeping services with tax advisory, focusing on businesses generating $25K-$10M in revenue.
- Kentucky CPA License: #11938
- Service Model: Personal CPA preparation
- Year Founded: 1998
- Location: Louisville, KY (serves the Lexington area)
- Specialty: S-Corp taxation and integrated bookkeeping for small businesses
Summary of Online Reviews:
2. Dean Dorton
Dean Dorton ranks #92 among the Top 100 US accounting firms with offices throughout Kentucky, including Lexington. Founded in 1933, the firm serves mid-to-large corporations, healthcare systems, construction companies, and manufacturing businesses. Their practice emphasizes audit services, corporate tax compliance, and technology/cybersecurity advisory for organizations requiring enterprise-scale solutions. For most small businesses, it will not make financial sense to work with Dean Dorton, but for those larger companies that can, they provide extensive resources and specialized industry knowledge.
- National Ranking: #92 Top 100 US Accounting Firms
- Service Model: Partner oversight with staff preparers
- Year Founded: 1933
- Location: Multiple Kentucky locations, including Lexington
- Specialty: Healthcare, construction, manufacturing, technology advisory
Summary of Online Reviews:
3. Baldwin CPAs
Baldwin CPAs, based in Richmond with Lexington-area service, is a Top 400 national accounting firm specializing in construction, government, nonprofit, healthcare, and automotive dealership industries. The firm emphasizes industry-specific expertise, with dedicated practice groups that understand sector regulations and compliance requirements; however, small businesses outside these specialties may find their services less personalized.
- National Ranking: Top 400 Accounting Firm
- Notable Clients: National Metal Processing, Local Farm Owners
- Service Model: Partner supervision with industry-focused teams
- Year Founded: 1939 (85+ years)
- Location: Louisville, KY (serves the Lexington area)
- Specialty: Construction, government, nonprofit, healthcare, auto dealerships
Summary of Online Reviews:
4. Hicks & Associates CPAs
Hicks & Associates CPAs, founded in 2011 by David W. Hicks, CPA, specializes in audits, forensic accounting, and litigation support for Lexington businesses. The firm focuses on audit services, peer reviews, and expert witness testimony rather than general tax preparation, serving organizations that require specialized audit expertise or are involved in legal proceedings.
- Service Model: Partner-led small firm with direct access
- Year Founded: 2011
- Location: Lexington, KY
- Specialty: Audits, forensic accounting, litigation support, expert witness testimony
Summary of Online Reviews:
5. SLT CPAs
SLT CPAs is a Lexington-based firm formed by the November 2025 merger of SizemoreTucker, Livesay Group, and Malof & Associates. The firm takes what it describes as a “big picture” approach, bringing tax planning, compliance, client accounting, and payroll together under one team. Named CPAs author published content and are identified on the firm’s team page, signaling strong professional oversight across engagements.
- Service Model: Named CPAs; team-based approach
- Year Founded: Est. November 2025 (merger of SizemoreTucker, Livesay Group, and Malof & Associates)
- Location: Lexington, KY (also Cincinnati and Lebanon, KY offices)
- Specialty: Multi-industry tax planning, outsourced accounting, fractional controller, payroll, equine and non-profit focus
Summary of Online Reviews:
6. Sterling CPAs
Sterling CPAs targets small businesses in Lexington seeking affordable bookkeeping, payroll, and basic tax preparation services. Services emphasize operational support rather than strategic tax planning. For businesses prioritizing low cost over strategic advisory, Sterling CPAs provides straightforward services with clear pricing, though companies needing S-Corp expertise or proactive tax planning may find limited strategic guidance.
- Service Model: Staff accountants
- Year Founded: Not disclosed
- Location: Lexington, KY
- Specialty: Affordable bookkeeping, payroll, and basic tax preparation
Summary of Online Reviews:
7. Besten & Dieruf, PLLC
Besten & Dieruf (formerly Enderle Besten Dieruf) operates from the historic Ridgely House in Gratz Park, providing full-service accounting to Lexington individuals and businesses. The firm offers traditional CPA services, including tax preparation, audits, bookkeeping, and CFO services, with a generalist approach serving diverse client needs.
- Service Model: Traditional CPA firm structure
- Year Founded: 1960s (60+ years, formerly Enderle & Company)
- Location: Lexington, KY (historic Ridgely House, Gratz Park)
- Specialty: Full-service tax, audit, bookkeeping, CFO services
Summary of Online Reviews:
8. Cherry Bekaert
Cherry Bekaert (#20 in Accounting Today’s Top 100 Firms, #1 in Southeast) acquired MCM CPAs & Advisors, Kentucky’s largest accounting firm, in October 2023. This firm has an established presence in Lexington, Louisville, and Cincinnati. The national firm serves mid-market and enterprise clients requiring multi-office coordination, specialized industry groups, and technology integration services.
- National Ranking: #20 Top 100 US Accounting Firms (#1 in Southeast)
- Service Model: Multi-office team structure
- Year Founded: National firm; acquired MCM CPAs (Kentucky’s largest) in October 2023
- Location: Lexington, Louisville, Cincinnati offices
- Specialty: Enterprise audit, tax, technology consulting, M&A advisory
Summary of Online Reviews:
Best S-Corp Specialists in Lexington
| Rank | Provider |
|---|---|
| 1 | Bluegrass Professional Associates |
| 2 | Dean Dorton |
| 3 | Baldwin CPAs |
| 4 | Hicks & Associates |
Best for Personal CPA Service
| Rank | Provider |
|---|---|
| 1 | Hicks & Associates |
| 2 | Bluegrass Professional Associates |
| 3 | Besten & Dieruf |
| 4 | SLT CPAs |
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