glaciak@laciak.com

As much as what Laciak>cpa does is about numbers, as a client, you’re never just a number. Geoffrey Laciak, son of founder and President Joe, and twin brother of Brian Laciak, takes this statement very seriously. It is the reason he’s working with his father and brother today, because with the Laciak team, he’s able to do more for clients – something he realized wasn’t ever going to be possible at the larger financial firms he’d worked at in Chicago.

Geoff’s desire to skip the career advancement game and stay busy doing actual work for clients is a mindset much like his father’s, but not because Joe was overbearing with his thoughts on business and his boys’ career path. In fact, Joe wanted the boys to choose their own careers, something he encouraged from a young age. Geoff was always a great student, and even declared after kindergarten that he really didn’t need any more elementary school. He was going straight to Notre Dame. As destiny had it, Geoff excelled at numbers, and graduated summa cum laude from the University of Notre Dame in 2000 with a B.S. in Accounting and a minor in Finance.

After spending eight years working in Chicago for the likes of Deloitte & Touche LLP and Harris Associates LLP, Geoff had a decision to make. His focus was always on the client, and he was troubled by the thought that he wasn’t able to do enough for them working where he was.  He decided to join his father and the team at Laciak>cpa in August of 2008.

“When I worked downtown, we were very specialized,” remembers Geoff. “Here, we are everything to everybody. We can assist our clients with the full scope of their financial matters – allowing them greater insight to the bigger picture and better all-around decision-making in the long run.”

That’s exactly what Geoff and the team focus on with clients, putting in the time to review every transaction with two sets of eyes. Teamwork is necessary for such high level CPA services, and that’s been another major benefit of working at Laciak>cpa.

“I know I couldn’t go to bed at night if I took any shortcuts,” says Geoff. “And everyone on the staff feels the same way. Our personal success is dependent on our overall team success, and the best measure of that is our client success and satisfaction.”

Clients couldn’t be happier with Geoff and the quality of work they get from the team at Laciak. It’s what keeps them coming back year after year.

“In 2008, we were looking to change accounting services to a more local firm,” says Michael Anton, owner of Anton Insurance Agency, Inc. “After much investigation, we met with Joe and Geoff Laciak. We found them to be highly competent and professional. Over the past few years, Anton Insurance and the Laciaks have developed a relationship as trusted advisors to each other’s mutual benefit.”

For Geoff, the respect and appreciation he receives from clients are definitely mutual. He and brother Brian are looking toward the next 30 years, where they hope to add to their growing client list – with particular focus on local growth and development, and hiring and retaining bright, local talent. Geoff stays active in the community by serving on the Finance Committee for Bishop Noll Institute and St. Patrick Church, and also sits on the Board of Directors for the Porter County Community Foundation and Duneland YMCA. Geoff also serves as Treasurer of State Park Little League.

Locally, Geoff was among 20 honorees under age 40 who received The Times Media Company’s 20 Under 40 Award in 2011.  The award is in recognition of outstanding leadership abilities and contributions to help build Northwest Indiana.

Geoff earned his Masters Degree in Business Administration from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management in 2007. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and is an accredited Personal Financial Specialist with the AICPA.

Geoff and his wife Marjie married in 2010, and enjoy spending time with children Lucas and Leightyn.  The Laciaks reside in Porter.