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When a family business thrives across generations, it’s rarely by accident. It takes commitment, trust, and partners who share the same dedication to excellence. For Deerfield Construction, one of those partners has long been Barnes Dennig — and the relationship extends far beyond traditional accounting services.

More than professional services — a genuine relationship

“We recommend Barnes Dennig all the time,” says Deerfield President Steve Bitzer — who emphasizes that it’s not a casual endorsement. He says that over the years, their experience has been consistently positive, deeply collaborative,” and, in his words, “outstanding.”

“It’s not just the services they provide. It’s a friendship and a relationship,” he explains. “Everyone we meet at Barnes Dennig is just a pleasure to be around and work with — and that’s not the case everywhere you go.”

Proactive insight you don’t have to ask for

What stands out most for Bitzer isn’t just the quality of the tax or audit services. It’s the curiosity and commitment the Barnes Dennig team brings to the table.

“They’re always asking questions. If they find something in our industry or business that they think can help us, they make recommendations. They’re very engaged in our industry. And who does that?”

That proactive mindset — spotting opportunities and challenges before they’re even raised — has become a defining part of the partnership. As the Deerfield team puts it: “to have your accounting firm thinking about things like that… you don’t have to ask the question. It’s just there.”

Professional excellence that inspires

Barnes Dennig’s approach has shaped more than financial strategies; it’s influenced how Deerfield sees and brings professionalism into its own work.

“They’ve brought a professional level to the table that I admire and respect,” he says. “I do a lot of things here at Deerfield that follow that path, because that’s what I want to bring to our industry.”

A partner who understands family businesses

For a company built by family — started by their father and now led by the next generation — relationships matter deeply. Trust is essential. And in Barnes Dennig, they’ve found a partner who respects that foundation.

“They’re just fun to be around, besides dealing with them on a professional level. And this is a family business. My dad started this; my brother and I run it now. And that makes a difference to us.”