Seattle-based Top 15 Firm Moss Adams LLP has announced that it will merge with Silicon Valley-based Top 100 Firm Mohler, Nixon & Williams, boosting their combined presence in Northern California. The deal has been approved by partners at both firms, and is due to go into effect on Jan. 1, 2013.

“Moss Adams is serious about California, and combining with Mohler, Nixon & Williams advances our strategy of working with the best in the business,” said the incoming Moss Adams CEO Chris Schmidt, who is currently the firm’s president and COO. “As Moss Adams enters its second century of success, we are continuously looking to expand how and where we serve our clients. Combining with Mohler, Nixon & Williams is a huge step forward in this direction.”

In spring 2013, the Santa Clara office of Moss Adams will migrate to the current Mohler Nixon office in Campbell, and the San Francisco office of Mohler Nixon will combine with the Moss Adams office there. All Mohler Nixon partners and substantially all of its employees are expected to join Moss Adams. 

“Combining Moss Adams and Mohler, Nixon & Williams positions us to meet the accounting and business consulting needs of the expanding business community in Silicon Valley and across California,” said current Moss Adams CEO Rick Anderson. “Mohler, Nixon & Williams is highly regarded in Silicon Valley, and we are thrilled to welcome their talented partners and staff. Our future together couldn’t be brighter.”

Founded in 1986, Mohler Nixon has 25 partners and more than 160 personnel, and offers a wide range of corporate and individual tax, accounting, audit, internal control and consulting services to public and private businesses of all sizes, as well as to individuals. In addition, it claims to conduct more employee benefit plan audits annually than any other firm in the Bay Area. It ranked No. 94 on Accounting Today’s 2012 list of the Top 100 Firms, with $32.9 million in net revenue, while Moss Adams ranked No. 11, with $323 million.

“We couldn’t ask for a better partner in this combination,” said Mohler Nixon CEO and managing partner Steve Vidlock. “We’ve known each other for years, and as we looked toward continuing our firm’s success, combining with Moss Adams presented an exciting opportunity for the future of our firm.” 

Vidlock will serve as partner-in-charge of the newly combined Campbell office, and manage operations in the Silicon Valley market.