How It All Began
After vacationing in the Lakes Region of New Hampshire, Eugene “Gene” Leone, Jr. left his position as a Certified Public Accountant with a large accounting firm in New Jersey and moved to New Hampshire. In 1973, he formed a partnership with Stan Swanton and together they formed Swanton & Leone. Their new business was established with the best qualities of the larger accounting firms, combined with the amazing quality of life found only in New Hampshire.
A year later, Stan retired and sold his interest in the business to Gene who then changed the name of the practice to Eugene F. Leone, Jr. CPA. He ran the business on his own for approximately seven years.
In 1981, Gene met up with Tom Bigelow who also spent time vacationing in the New Hampshire Lakes Region. Tom had been working with a big firm and had gained extensive experience, but he couldn’t resist the pull to New Hampshire. Business had grown to the point where Gene recognized the need to expand. Together, Gene and Tom started Leone, Bigelow & Company.
Donald “Don” McDonnell worked in a large accounting firm in Boston, but enjoyed spending time at his summer home in New Hampshire. After learning of the success Gene and Tom were having in the Granite State and that Leone, Bigelow & Company was growing, Don joined forces with them as a shareholder in 1984 and the Wolfeboro firm name became Leone, Bigelow & McDonnell, PA.
In 1987, Thomas “Tom” Roberts was also feeling the call to New Hampshire. With extensive experience in the areas of audit and accounting, Tom had been working at a large regional accounting firm in Chicago and wanted to raise his family in the heart of the lakes and mountains of the Granite State. He joined the firm in 1987 and was later admitted as a shareholder in July 1989.
In the late 1980s, the firm incorporated, and the partners expanded by opening two new offices – one in North Conway and the other in Dover.
In 1991, Tom Bigelow left the organization and in 1994 the firm changed its name to Leone, McDonnell & Roberts, PA to reflect the change in ownership.
The Partners were approached with another opportunity and in 2001 they agreed to purchase a small accounting firm in Concord. And in 2006, Leone, McDonnell & Roberts, PA purchased a firm in Exeter and relocated their fifth office to Stratham.
With five locations thriving in New Hampshire, the firm presently employs 43 people.
Throughout the years, the founding members of Leone, McDonnell & Roberts, PA brought to New Hampshire the best qualities of the large accounting firms you might find in larger cities and adjusted them to meet the needs of the people in the Granite State. Today, the firm continues to grow, while providing high quality professional services to all clients. The firm has a robust internship program, training and preparing college students for a career in public accounting. The professionals at Leone, McDonnell & Roberts, PA maintain a high level of expertise through continuing education and actively participate and support community activities, events and initiatives.
