Anders Acquires People Puzzle LLC, Introducing HR & Talent Transformation Advisory Services
ST. LOUIS, February 10, 2026 – Anders™, a top 100 CPA and advisory firm, announced the acquisition of HR solutions firm People Puzzle LLC and the launch of its new HR & Talent Transformation advisory offering, expanding its advisory services portfolio. The new offering provides strategic, data-driven HR and talent support to small- and mid-market organizations, helping them address capability gaps, modernize HR processes, and achieve strategic alignment.
HR & Talent Transformation partners with HR leaders and executive teams to address challenges across HR, leadership, talent, and employee experience through evidence-based assessments and practical insights. The offering includes the Employee Experience Impact Index©, a validated, proprietary employee experience assessment that provides Board of Directors, C-suite, and HR leaders with insight into how employee experience impacts business outcomes.
“A company’s employees are its greatest asset. Providing leading HR & Talent Transformation resources to clients gives them access to a critical growth capability,” said Dave Hartley, advisory partner-in-charge. “With this new offering, Anders can address the full range of HR and talent needs to deliver scalable, actionable HR and talent roadmaps that are designed to grow with our clients.”
HR & Talent Transformation further expands Anders’ advisory capabilities and is part of the firm’s broader Business Consulting advisory practice, which also includes Business Transformation and Process Optimization & AI, demonstrating the firm’s investment in expanding its advisory practice to support client goals.
As part of the acquisition, Dr. Scott Leuchter, Psy. D., SPHR, SHRM-SCP and Denise Nichols have joined Anders as partners and will lead the HR & Talent Transformation practice.
About Dr. Scott Leuchter and Denise Nichols
Leuchter and Nichols founded People Puzzle to improve the impact of human resources and employee experience on business outcomes through proven end-to-end HR transformation solutions. Following Anders' acquisition of People Puzzle, Leuchter and Nichols joined the firm as partners and HR and Talent Practice Leaders.
Leuchter is a Business Psychologist and HR Executive who combines science and evidence-based practice to help organizations and leaders assess where they are today and design future-focused strategies. With nearly 30 years of experience, he works closely with clients to define, deploy, and support actions that drive measurable business outcomes.
Nichols brings 25 years of experience helping organizations understand their strategy, operations, and employee experience. She works with companies across growth stages – from early-stage organizations seeking foundational HR guidance to established enterprises focused on realigning execution with strategic priorities.
Anders
For 60 years, Anders has delivered full-service accounting, tax, audit, and advisory services to growth-oriented companies, organizations, and individuals. Ranked #72 on Inside Public Accounting’s List of Top 500 CPA Firms and a top four firm headquartered in St. Louis with team members across the U.S., Anders is a member firm of LEA Global (LEA), one of the largest international associations of independent accounting firms. For more information on Anders, visit anderscpa.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram: @AndersCPA.