History
In 1961, the regional accounting firm of Harris, Reames, and Ambrose decided to open a small branch office in Hillsdale, Michigan. The firm had three large clients located in the Hillsdale area at that time: Simpson Industries, Hillsdale Tool, and Game Time. The company felt a branch office would allow them the opportunity to service these clients more effectively and efficiently. In a pre-electronic world, working long distances from the main office proved quite cumbersome. The office was intended to have only two employees; one manager, and one secretary. Neil Waldorf, a partner of Harris, Reames, and Ambrose, was sent to manage the Hillsdale office. Only in his mid-thirties, Neil developed cancer and died in 1966. Marv Howell, who started his accounting career at Harris, Reames, and Ambrose in Lansing, was sent to replace Waldorf in 1966 even though he was relatively young, and not a partner at that time. Upon graduation, Harold March began working at the Hillsdale office in June of 1969.
After the death of its managing partner in 1971, Harris, Reames, and Ambrose merged with BBD-Siedman. However, the Grand Rapids and Hillsdale offices decided not to merge. On October 1, 1971, the Grand Rapids and Hillsdale offices formed Vanatter, Howell, and Co., with Marv Howell managing the Hillsdale office.
Tom Osbourne, a partner in the Grand Rapids office, moved to the Hillsdale office in March of 1973, and in 1981 Vanatter, Howell, and Co., split. While the Grand Rapids and Ionia offices merged with another firm, the Hillsdale and Marshall offices formed Howell, Osbourne, and Co. Tom Condon joined the Firm in 1980, one year before the split. He then became a partner in 1988.
Marv Howell was diagnosed with cancer in 1989 and died 14 months later in 1990. Following his death the Firm became known as Osbourne, March, Condon, and Co., P.C. in 1992. Donna Hecht joined Osbourne, March, Condon in 1995 and became a partner in 2005. Stephen Bisher began his accounting career with a regional firm in 1994 and then joined Osbourne, March, Condon in December of 1996, also becoming a partner in 2005. Jason Wade then joined the Firm in May of 2003 and became a partner in November of 2012.
Upon the retirement of Tom Osbourne and Hal March, the Firm once again changed its name from Osbourne, March, Condon & Co., P.C. to Condon, Hecht, Bisher, Wade & Co., P.C. . Donna Hecht retired in 2021.
CHBW first started working with Community Foundations in 2005, providing auditing services and then expanding into additional audits and controllership work. In 2025, Steve Bisher and Jason Wade capitalized on the firm’s community foundation expertise and rebranded the firm to Bisher Wade, focusing on fund accounting services for community foundations across the United States.
OUR PHILOSOPHY
Our philosophy during the past 64 years has been to embrace and commit to:
Professionalism
We have earned the reputation of providing the highest level of professionalism by employing the diverse talents and expertise of our entire team.
Clients
We are committed to building and nurturing client relationships and gaining knowledge of their organization to contribute to their success. We make ourselves available to answer questions related to critical business decisions or general day-to-day operating concerns.
Quality
We are dedicated to quality and integrity by building a competent and proficient team and ensure their continuous professional education.
Real People. Real Impact.
Bisher Wade’s success during the past 60+ years is in its ability to embrace and commit to: Clients, Professionalism, and Quality.