In 2024, Diehl Banwart Bolton CPAs PA is celebrating 75 years of service to the community.
At the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Coffee on September 12, James Wood, one of the partners in the firm, said they have had a “long history” in the community because of the “great leadership, amazing team, and this community and everything that goes on in it.”
The business is a full-service accounting firm located in Fort Scott and Pittsburg,
They help both businesses and individuals succeed financially through accounting services, with expert, professional and confidential service, according to their website.
The business story begins just after the Second World War.
John Diehl came to Fort Scott in 1948 with his wife Ina Mae, after serving in the United States Marines as a pilot in World War II.
He worked for the Winchell Manufacturing Company, and soon after, opened an accounting office in Fort Scott for a Kansas City firm of Senderson, Little, and LaChelle, according to James Banwart Jr., who is currently a partner in the business.
In 1949, Diehl purchased the business and renamed it John E. Diehl and Company.
Maurice Fletcher later joined the firm and it was renamed Diehl and Fletcher. The company was located in several buildings
in what is now the Fort Scott Downtown Historic District.
In the Fall of 1963, James L. Banwart Sr. joined Diehl and Fletcher.
James Regan, the long-time Information Technology “guru”,
joined the firm in 1971.
In 1973, Mark Bolton joined Diehl and Fletcher and in 1976, the firm became Diehl, Banwart, Bolton, CPA’s.
The firm’s shareholders purchased the Milrose Block at
Wall and National in 1974 where the business continues today.
Mr. Diehl died in 2017 at age 99.
“He was an involved member of church and community and a loved and respected employer and partner.” James Banwart Jr. said.
Currently, there are five partners, James L Banwart Jr., Daryl Eagon, Amanda Lancaster, Matthew Keys, and James Wood.
“CPAs Randy Phillips, Carol Hill, and Donna Banwart round out the list of supervising accountants and we have 10 staff accountants doing IT, payroll, accounts payable, and other client service,” Banwart said.
The business currently has offices in Fort Scott and Pittsburg and “are always on the lookout for additional talented people,” Banwart said.
The firm offers municipal and commercial auditing, preparation of general ledger and financial statements, payroll, estate planning, tax planning, income tax, retirement planning, business analysis
and coaching, and assisting clients with Accounting CS, Quickbooks, and other software.
“Not many small businesses survive and thrive for 75 years,” Banwart said. ” But because John Diehl founded the firm on the
principles of integrity and prompt client service and we strive to uphold his high standards in the present, we plan on being a member of the Fort Scott business community for a long time to come. He
would be pleased to know his firm continues his traditions.”
The business is located at 7 1/2 East Wall, in Fort Scott’s Historic Downtown. They can be reached at 620-223-4300.
