Tommy Byrd, Partner-in-Charge of the Houston Office, Whitley Penn
In an interview with Invest:, Tommy Byrd of Whitley Penn emphasized the firm’s responsive, relationship-driven client approach and partner-owned stability amid industry consolidation. “Whitley Penn is still partner-owned, which allows us to grow organically and maintain continuity,” he said.
Why is Houston a strong market for Whitley Penn?
First, it’s in Texas, which is a great environment for business. Historically, the cost of living has been good, though that’s starting to change. Overall, it’s a place where people want to live and work. Houston is also more international than other Texas markets. As a port city, there’s natural global interaction, and you can feel that in the culture. Energy has always been central — when oil prices were high, Houston thrived. But over the past 20 years, the city has diversified into healthcare, technology, and renewables, which makes it more resilient.
How does Whitley Penn stand out in client service?
Client service is part of our DNA. We often hear from prospective clients that they couldn’t get their previous CPA to return a call or follow up. We emphasize responsiveness — if a client calls or emails in the morning, we respond by the end of the day or within 24 hours at the latest. It’s about being available. Beyond that, we work on building real relationships. We don’t want to be the firm clients hear from only during tax season. We want to know their business, their family, and develop genuine friendships. That trust helps us navigate challenges when they arise.
What industry trends are shaping Whitley Penn’s strategy?
Consolidation is huge. Many firm owners nearing retirement are selling to larger firms or private equity. That creates uncertainty for both staff and clients. Whitley Penn is still partner-owned, which allows us to grow organically and maintain continuity. That’s appealing to professionals and clients looking for stability and long-term relationships.
How is Whitley Penn helping clients with cybersecurity?
We have a full cybersecurity team that helps clients assess their networks for vulnerabilities. We identify risks and guide them on remediation. Internally, we run phishing tests, ongoing staff training, and closely monitor our systems. Public accounting firms handle a lot of sensitive data, so we take information security seriously.
What recent milestones has the Houston Whitley Penn office achieved?
Last November, we acquired Travis Property Management, a mineral and asset management group. They help clients manage oil and gas royalties, like a wealth manager for those assets. That complements our oil and gas accounting team and allows us to offer more consultative, value-added services, in addition to compliance work.
How is Whitley Penn using technology to boost efficiency?
All our software, from tax to audit to internal systems, allows us to be more efficient and reduces manual data entry. For example, instead of staff typing in information, it auto-uploads. That frees up time for more valuable client interaction. The goal is to spend less time inputting data and more time helping clients use that information to grow their business.
What is your outlook for Whitley Penn in Houston?
This year might be a bit odd with economic uncertainty, tax law changes, and tariffs. But overall, we’re positioned well. We’ve filled all our internship spots — about 90 firmwide — which shows that the tide might be turning on the accountant shortage. On the other end, firm consolidation continues, so there are opportunities to attract both clients and talent looking for a different kind of firm.
