Brand Story | Meet the Partners

Welcome to

Kaizen CPAs + Advisors

It all began on June 1, 1964, when Jim and Carol Hamlin founded James C. Hamlin & Co., Inc. In October 1996, their son Clay Hamlin took over the firm, transforming it into a CPA firm and continuing the legacy.

Fast forward to October 2021, when James Hamlin & Co., P.C. underwent yet another transformation—Eric Joern became a partner and the firm rebranded as "Kaizen CPAs + Advisors." With nearly 60 years of history and sentiment, we recognized the importance of a modern image and actively shaping the future. We embrace change, not just for ourselves but to inspire our clients to explore opportunities for their own businesses.

On January 1, 2022, our journey of growth and learning took another leap forward—Amy Beinecke, a valued member of the Kaizen CPAs team, became a partner, and we merged with SCL CPA PC, welcoming John Chiappetta into our partnership circle and expanding our team of dedicated professionals in tax, accounting, and administration. 

The merged firm operates under the Kaizen name, symbolizing our commitment to continuous improvement. It reflects who we are and what we stand for. "Kaizen" is derived from the words "change" and "better," inspired by what our team and clients find unique and special about us. We're passionate about lifelong learning, and we bring relentless energy to improve the lives of our team and our clients.

The Kaizen formula—Inform. Inspire. Improve.—encapsulates our dedication to guiding you on a journey of continuous improvement, making your business and personal life better every day.

The Partners of Kaizen CPAs + Advisors

Clay Hamlin Partner

Clay Hamlin

Managing Partner

Clay grew up in Antioch, Illinois. After graduating from Notre Dame with a degree in philosophy and literature and earning his master’s degree in taxation from DePaul University, in 1996 he joined the firm James C. Hamlin & Co., Inc., founded by his parents.

In 1998, Clay purchased the firm from his father and started businesses in IT, payroll, marketing, financial services, and insurance.

Clay is a licensed CPA in Illinois and Wisconsin and has financial services licenses Series 7 and 63, as well as a life insurance license. He served on the board of St. John’s Preparatory School for 8 years, with the last four years as Chair.

Eric Joern, Partner

Eric Joern

Partner

Eric is a graduate of Columbia College of Missouri with a degree in accounting and joined the firm in 2013. He is a licensed CPA and a key business advisor at Kaizen. Coming from generations of entrepreneurs, small business is in his blood. He has spent his working career getting his hands dirty with concrete, increasing profits and efficiency, managing an automotive service department, and currently is a key resource for many small business owners.

Eric is currently the lead on our Automotive concentration, with years of experience as an Automotive Service Advisor and connections in the industry to better serve his clients. 

Watch Eric's video

John Chiappetta Prtnr

John Chiappetta

Partner

John is a graduate of Carthage College in Kenosha, WI and the Kellstadt Graduate School of Business at DePaul in Chicago, IL. In 2003, John purchased a small tax practice in Antioch IL. He continued his entrepreneurial adventure, purchasing and merging with multiple accounting firms, and in 2022, merged his firm with Kaizen CPAs + Advisors.

John has predominantly focused on tax planning and compliance. He also has his CFP® and is a licensed financial representative. John enjoys helping clients plan for a healthy financial future.

amy be partner coo

Amy Beinecke

Partner & COO

Amy Beinecke graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Winona State University. Coming from an entrepreneurial family, with her father owning a small business, Amy developed a strong appreciation for business principles early on.

Amy's journey at Kaizen, formerly James Hamlin & Co, began in 1997 when she joined as a Staff Accountant. Over the years, she progressed within the company, taking on roles such as managing staff accountants in 2002 and becoming part of the firm's executive team in 2014. In 2022, Amy's move to Partner at Kaizen was announced.

Her passion lies in systems and processes, and she enjoys assisting employees in achieving their goals. Amy is also a Certified EOS Integrator, further demonstrating her commitment to driving efficiency and success within the organization.