Worcester Business Journal

12 Worcester Business Journal | January 12, 2026 | wbjournal.com B E S T O F B U S I N E S S P R O F E S S I O N A L S E R V I C E S Bartholomew & Co. manages $6B for a diverse array of clients BEST ACCOUNTING FIRM Winner: Bollus Lynch*, in Worcester Bollus Lynch is a full-service tax, assurance, and consulting firm with expertise in a variety of industries including health care, manufacturing, higher education, distribution, con- struction, and social service agen- cies. The team possesses extensive knowledge in matters such as busi- ness combinations and transitions. The firm's commitment to clients is accomplished through an experienced team approach to servicing profes- sional needs, with talented individuals who value relationships and are eager to share their expertise. Website: bolluslynch.com Top executive: Michael Bollus, managing partner Founded: 1989 Employees: 35 Notable runners-up: Stolberg & Blanchette in Worcester, Stowe & Degon in Westborough, McLaren & Associates CPAs in Shrewsbury BEST CREDIT UNION Winner: Digital Federal Credit Union (DCU)*, in Marlborough On Jan. 1, DCU officially combined with First Tech Federal Credit Union to form a single $28-billion credit union serving nearly 2 million members with more than 50 branches across eight states. DCU expects the merger to re- sult in lower fees on current services, a broader range of products, and improved digital technology to support better banking experiences. Website: dcu.org Top executive: Shruti Miyashiro, president and CEO Founded: 1979 Employees: 1,781 companywide; 400 in Central Mass. Notable runners-up: Webster First Federal Credit Union in Worcester, Central One Federal Credit Union in Shrewsbury BY ERIC CASEY WBJ Managing Editor F inancial planning firm Bar- tholomew & Co. has been oper- ating in Worcester since 1994, competing with much larger firms to provide financial advice and planning to a wide variety of clients. e firm manages nearly $6 billion in private wealth and institutional business assets, said Alex Bartholomew, chief investment officer at the firm, guiding its clients through an increasingly complex financial landscape and weathering ev- erything from the 2008 recession to the 2025 government shutdown. Services provided by Bartholomew & Co. run the gauntlet, from investment management to retirement and tax plan- ning. e firm has received recognition from Barron's and Forbes magazines, with firm founder and President omas Bartholomew being named among the Top 100 Financial Advisors in 2025 by Barron's. e company continues to innovate, said Alex Bartholomew, closely watching the latest technological developments. He believes emerging technology will make the firm more productive and efficient. "From a technology perspective, you can't turn a corner without someone talking about artificial intelligence and how AI is going to impact every indus- try," Bartholomew said. "In financial services, it is absolutely going to help improve the advice that we give to clients and the speed at which we provide it. We're seeing it make folks in our indus- try more productive, more efficient, and not bogged down in the mundane part of analyzing a vast array of more complexi- ties and financial situations for clients." In addition to private and business clients, Bartholomew & Co. provides in- vestment services to municipalities, with more than 250 government institutional entities in New England turning to the firm for advice, in a time when city and town officials are nervously eyeing tax revenue and attempting to navigate a turbulent economy. e firm works with nonprofits navigating an equally-difficult tightrope. "It is very challenging for organiza- tions, whether they're public or private, or in the nonprofit space, to balance their budgets and to understand how they're going to run their organization," Bartholomew said. Building their clients' portfolios over the years has allowed Bartholomew & Co to grow, expanding into MetroWest with an office in Framingham. Still, the company remains rooted in Worcester, supporting area nonprofits like the Boys and Girls Club of Worces- ter, the EcoTarium, and the Greater Worcester Community Foundation. "We've been in business for a long time," Bartholomew said. "Our growth has continued to accelerate, and the rea- son for that is because of the great work that we're doing for clients, both here in Central Massachusetts, in New England, and across the country. Know that they're going to have expert advice and recom- mendations from us with a full-service coverage model and the highest quality customer service." President & CEO Thomas Bartholomew (left) and Chief Investment Officer Alex Bartholomew BEST FINANCIAL PLANNING/ INVESTMENT SERVICES FIRM Winner: Bartholomew & Co., in Worcester Website: www.bartandco.com Top executive: Thomas Bartholomew, president & CEO Founded: 1994 Employees: 33 Notable runners-up: Fidelity Investments in Shrewsbury; Provo Wealth Management Group in Shrewsbury W W W

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