Helping business owners think beyond what has happened and focus on what is possible defines how Steve Richardson creates value for his clients.

Steve Richardson is a Partner at Walter Shuffain, who spends the majority of his time advising privately held business owners and individuals on strategic growth, tax planning, and long-term financial decision-making. With over four decades of experience, Steve works closely with clients who are driven by opportunity and improvement, and who want a trusted advisor involved in meaningful conversations about the future of their business and personal finances.

Steve’s ideal clients are entrepreneurial-minded business owners who enjoy building, scaling, and improving their companies. He works alongside clients to evaluate growth strategies, assess scaling opportunities, and structure and negotiate transactions. He brings a practical perspective to complex decisions by helping clients identify their desired endpoint and then guiding them through the necessary steps to achieve it.

In addition to his business consulting work, Steve advises individuals on personal financial planning and tax efficiency. Rather than defining success by a single benchmark, he believes wealth is personal and varies from one client to the next. Whether a client’s goal is financial security, flexibility, or time, Steve helps them make informed decisions that support their individual definition of success. He is fluent in individual and corporate taxation, applying that knowledge to help clients grow and protect their personal net worth.

Steve is known for his forward-looking advisory approach. He often tells clients that simply preparing a tax return is historical reporting, not advising. His focus is on participating in conversations about what will happen next and what could happen with the proper planning. Through a listening-first and question-driven style, Steve challenges assumptions, helps clients view their business from multiple angles, and uncovers opportunities that may not be visible from day-to-day operations.

Steve founded his own CPA firm at the age of 26 and led the practice for nearly 40 years before he and his team at Richardson & Company P.C. joined Walter Shuffain. Early in his career, he worked at a regional accounting firm in Boston before launching his own firm and never looked back.

Steve has served on the board of Charles Riverbank since 1992 and currently serves as Chairman of the Board. He also serves on the boards of multiple privately held companies is a Registered Investment Adviser and a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Massachusetts Society of CPAs. In addition, Steve regularly gives back to the profession and his community through guest lectures at Bentley University, his Alma Mater, where he shares his real-world business and advisory experience with students.