Capstone Tax Acquires North Star, Deepens Washington State Presence

SNOHOMISH, WA – December 29, 2025 – Capstone Accounting and Tax, a prominent firm in the Pacific Northwest and Mountain West, has announced a strategic partnership that integrates North Star Tax & Accounting into its operations. The acquisition brings North Star’s established offices in Snohomish and Lynden, Washington, under the Capstone brand, significantly expanding the firm's presence and service capabilities within the state.

This move continues Capstone’s deliberate growth strategy, which focuses on acquiring well-respected local firms to extend its geographic reach. The deal ensures that while North Star will adopt the Capstone name, its clients will experience a seamless transition, continuing to work with the same trusted professionals who have managed their financial needs for years.

A Strategic Union of Shared Values

The partnership is being framed by both organizations as a natural fit, driven by shared values and complementary strengths. Capstone, known for its comprehensive suite of tax, accounting, and advisory services, identified North Star as an ideal partner due to its deep community roots and strong reputation for personalized client service.

“We are thrilled to welcome North Star into the growing Capstone family,” said Susan Olson, CEO of Capstone Accounting and Tax, in a statement accompanying the announcement. Olson specifically highlighted North Star's robust Client Accounting Services (CAS) practice as a key asset. This specialized service line, which provides businesses with outsourced accounting functions ranging from bookkeeping to CFO-level advising, aligns perfectly with Capstone's goal of offering holistic financial solutions. “Their strong reputation, dedication to their clients, and delivery of comprehensive service lines like their Client Accounting Services practice make North Star an ideal fit for our team.”

The acquisition model pursued by Capstone emphasizes integration without erasure. By preserving the local teams that have built client trust over many years, Capstone aims to combine the resources and reach of a larger regional firm with the personalized touch of a neighborhood practice. This approach is designed to mitigate the disruption often associated with corporate mergers and acquisitions, particularly in a relationship-driven field like accounting.

Leadership Continuity and Enhanced Client Services

A critical component of the agreement is the retention of North Star’s leadership. Co-leaders David Romano and Sheena Frenzel will transition into partner roles within the larger Capstone organization, ensuring leadership continuity and a steady hand during the integration period. Their ongoing involvement signals a commitment to maintaining the culture and client-centric focus that defined North Star.

“Joining Capstone is an exciting opportunity for our clients and our team,” stated Romano. He emphasized the alignment between the two firms' core philosophies. “Capstone's commitment to local service models resonates with our core values, and we are eager to embark on this new chapter together.” This sentiment underscores the importance of the "local-first" approach that both firms champion, assuring clients that the acquisition is a move to strengthen, not replace, the services they rely on.

Frenzel echoed this perspective, focusing on the tangible benefits for their clientele in Snohomish and Lynden. “Combining our resources and experience with Capstone’s expertise and existing network of offices will enable us to enhance the services we provide our clients,” she explained. Access to Capstone’s broader network means North Star clients can now tap into a deeper well of specialized knowledge, advanced technology, and a wider range of advisory services that might have been beyond the scope of a smaller, independent firm. This could include more sophisticated tax planning strategies, specialized industry advice, and enhanced business advisory capabilities.

A Blueprint for Growth in the Accounting Sector

This partnership is more than an isolated transaction; it represents a key milestone in Capstone's long-term mission to build a dominant regional presence. Founded in 2004, Capstone has steadily grown by providing tailored financial solutions to businesses and individuals. The firm has publicly stated its active interest in investing in small and mid-sized accounting, tax, bookkeeping, and HR advisory practices across the nation, signaling that the North Star acquisition is part of a broader, ongoing consolidation strategy.

This trend reflects a larger movement within the professional services industry, where smaller firms are joining larger networks to gain competitive advantages. These advantages include access to capital for technology upgrades, improved ability to attract and retain top talent, and the capacity to offer a more diverse menu of services to an increasingly sophisticated client base. For larger firms like Capstone, acquiring established local practices is an efficient way to enter new markets with an immediate foundation of trust and a built-in client roster.

Clients of North Star Tax & Accounting have been assured of a smooth transition over the coming months. The firms are working to integrate their systems and processes with minimal disruption, and they have explicitly stated that service will remain uninterrupted through the upcoming 2026 tax season, a critical period for both individuals and businesses.

North Star Tax and Accounting, founded in 2008, has built its reputation by serving the Snohomish and Lynden communities with a full suite of tax and accounting services. The firm has prided itself on delivering all-in-one accounting solutions, innovative business strategies, and simplified financial management to support sustainable growth for its clients. By joining Capstone, the expertise cultivated over more than a decade will now be amplified by the resources of a larger, multi-state organization, marking a new phase of growth for the team and the clients they serve.