Founded in Wilmington, Delaware by Charles I. Belfint, Belfint, Lyons & Shuman, P.A. (BLS CPAs) has spent over a century delivering rigorous technical precision, enduring client partnerships, and independent financial integrity.
In 1923, Charles I. Belfint opened the doors of his accounting practice in Wilmington with an uncompromising belief: that accounting is not merely the tracking of past numbers, but a proactive instrument for building future stability.
Over the subsequent ten decades, BLS CPAs expanded from local bookkeeping into one of the largest independent CPA firms in Delaware and the Mid-Atlantic region. Today, our multidisciplinary team of more than 85 professionals advises privately held corporations, family enterprises, nonprofit institutions, and governmental agencies across the United States and globally.
Our firm continues to receive an unqualified "Pass" rating on all triennial AICPA Peer Reviews—the highest possible rating attainable with zero deficiencies—attesting to our adherence to national quality control standards.
These five cornerstone values guide every client engagement, operational decision, and professional interaction.
We provide a supportive workplace that fosters fulfilling careers, individual quality of life, open communication, and modern facilities. Recognized as a Delaware Top Workplace for 18 consecutive years.
We establish high standards of technical precision, creative problem-solving, and continuous education, delivering proactive guidance and measurable value on every engagement.
We maintain absolute honesty, confidentiality, and professional independence, adhering to the highest ethical and professional codes established by the AICPA and state licensing boards.
We treat every client, colleague, and community member with dignity and courtesy, fostering an inclusive, collaborative culture where varied perspectives drive superior outcomes.
We unite specialized, cross-functional talents across tax, assurance, business valuation, and litigation to deliver complete, integrated solutions for complex financial challenges.
Operating under the motto "Exceptional people, doing exceptional things," our team participates in Direct Impact Days, civic volunteering, and active board leadership across regional nonprofits.
BLS CPAs is an active independent member of PrimeGlobal, one of the top five largest associations of independent accounting and advisory firms in the world.
PrimeGlobal encompasses over 300 highly successful member firms across more than 850 offices in 100+ countries, generating combined annual member firm revenues in excess of $4 billion.
Through this robust global alliance, our clients enjoy direct, seamless access to trusted international accounting authorities, local statutory compliance specialists, and cross-border consulting worldwide—while retaining the personalized attention and responsive relationship of their local BLS engagement team.
Wherever your enterprise expands, BLS CPAs connects you with pre-vetted, premier accounting leaders worldwide.
Explore our multidisciplinary directory. Use the category filters below to quickly identify specialists in your required practice area.
Directs firm infrastructure and information systems. Oversees assurance engagements, corporate tax compliance, and specializes in retail auto dealerships and commercial enterprises.
Leads client service quality benchmarks. A Certified Valuation Analyst (CVA) performing business appraisals for partner buy-ins, estate/gift tax filings, M&A transactions, and litigation.
Guides firm strategic growth and recruitment. Nationally recognized leader in nonprofit auditing, Single Audits under Uniform Guidance, board governance, and executive succession planning.
Practice Group Leader for International Services. Advises cross-border corporations on inbound FDI, transfer pricing, treaty benefits, and outbound tax reporting (Forms 5471/5472/FBAR).
Chairs the firm's Tax & Small Business Department. Specializes in multi-tiered corporate and partnership restructuring, federal and state tax controversies, and transactional structuring.
Nationally renowned ERISA authority. Directs retirement plan audits, Form 5500 compliance, DOL/IRS correction programs (EPCRS & VFCP), and serves as chief editor of the BLS EBP Audit Blog.
Directs state and local tax planning, economic nexus studies, multi-state apportionment reviews, PTET elections, and represents clients in state department of revenue audits and VDAs.
Advises high-net-worth families on multi-generational wealth transfer, fiduciary tax compliance (Forms 1041, 706, 709), and establishing asset protection trusts under Delaware trust statutes.
Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) conducting forensic fraud investigations, internal control vulnerability reviews, and Yellow Book (GAGAS) financial audits for governmental authorities.
Manages tax compliance and strategy for privately held corporations, family businesses, and global manufacturing operations, providing turnkey back-office tax department leadership.
45-year accounting veteran, including 32 years at BLS. Founded and built the Delaware Investment Holding Company management practice into an internationally recognized corporate service division.
Leads audit engagements for nonprofit social service organizations, foundations, and educational institutions, specializing in Uniform Guidance Single Audits and donor-restricted fund accounting.
Qualified 401(k) Administrator (QKA) executing complex ERISA audits, pension plans, participant loan compliance, and Department of Labor voluntary correction filings.
Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM). Specializes in municipal audits, public school districts, compliance examinations, and GASB financial reporting frameworks.
Certified Valuation Analyst performing commercial appraisals, marital property division calculations for family law attorneys, and expert witness testimony in Delaware courts.
Accredited Estate Planner (AEP®) focusing on fiduciary tax planning, Delaware dynasty and directed trusts, generation-skipping transfer (GST) tax, and gift tax reporting.
Directs IT infrastructure, managed network support, endpoint security, disaster recovery, and cloud migration solutions for commercial clients and financial institutions.
Manages complete general ledger, banking, corporate tax compliance, and nexus defense for Delaware Investment Holding Companies (DHCs) and special purpose vehicles.
BLS CPAs maintains active leadership roles and committee participation across national and regional accounting organizations.
Partner with a CPA firm that blends technical rigor with genuine personal dedication. Contact our team to begin the conversation.
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