Former Whitlock Co. partner launches firm

A former partner and longtime employee of accounting and professional services firm The Whitlock Co. is slated to launch his own firm next month.

Elmer Selim established Elmer C. Selim CVA, CVA LLC, which he plans to open Aug. 1 at 600 W. Republic Road, Suite A-112.

Selim, who was on vacation in Orlando, Fla., said this morning his last day at Whitlock Co. would be July 31.

He said he wants to operate independently to squelch perceptions of conflicts of interest and to be able to pick up work from other certified public accounting firms.

Selim provides valuation and litigation support services, which he said can cause problems when Whitlock Co. also is servicing clients with accounting work. He said attorneys and clients might perceive a conflict of interest since he is employed by The Whitlock Co.

"Certain work that I do is considered in conflict with what the firm does," Selim said, noting he'll be the sole employee at his firm. "If I'm independent, then that allows me to do that work and allows the firm to do their work."

Selim said he hopes to be able to give and get referrals from Whitlock Co. moving forward, but being independent also would allow him to work with other CPA firms.

Whitlock Co. Marketing Director Anne McCormick said Selim in 2003 dropped his partner status in the firm that used to bear his name.

Whitlock, Selim & Keehn LLP transitioned to the Whitlock Co. moniker in 2008. Founding partners Barney Whitlock, Selim and David Keehn established the firm in 1985 after splitting from Fox & Co., according to Springfield Business Journal archives.[[In-content Ad]]