McGladrey Acquires Battelle Rippe Kingston

McGladrey LLP has expanded its practice in Ohio by acquiring substantially all the assets of Battelle Rippe Kingston LLP, a CPA firm that offers assurance, tax and consulting services in Southwest Ohio.

The deal is expected to close on Nov. 1, 2014. McGladrey said the transaction would provide it with a presence in Dayton, Cincinnati and Troy, Ohio. The Chicago-based firm already has offices in Cleveland and Columbus focused on servicing middle-market businesses in Ohio. McGladrey ranked fifth on Accounting Today’s 2014 list of the Top 100 Firms, with $1.37 billion in annual revenue.

“By joining forces with Battelle Rippe Kingston, McGladrey has the opportunity to truly own the middle market in Ohio with offices across the state,” said McGladrey managing partner and CEO Joe Adams in a statement. “The depth and breadth of our combined Ohio practice will be a major force in the market, creating opportunities for our clients and our people. We look forward to welcoming the Battelle Rippe Kingston team and benefitting from their more than 140 years of combined experience in the state of Ohio.”

Allan D. Koltin, CEO of Koltin Consulting Group, who advised Battelle Rippe Kingston on the merger, commented, “This merger was very strategic for McGladrey in terms of the Great Lakes region and Ohio. I wouldn’t be surprised to see McGladrey have another acquisition in the Cleveland-Columbus market in the near future as they are very committed to building out this state.  Battelle Rippe Kingston is a new breed of firm that had the talent and youth to continue on as an independent firm for many years but saw the strategic value of additional services and expertise that they could provide for their clients as well as the career growth opportunities for their people.”

Battelle Rippe Kingston has worked with McGladrey through its McGladrey Alliance.

“As a longstanding member of the McGladrey Alliance, we believe that this transaction is the logical next step in our evolution as a firm and the culmination of our strategy to provide our clients and people with new opportunities for growth,” said Battelle Rippe Kingston managing partner Charles M. Foley. “McGladrey’s focus on the middle market and approach to client service are very similar to ours. We look forward to providing the same high-quality service our clients have come to expect from us with the added benefit of expanded services, capabilities and expertise we will gain as part of McGladrey.”

All 13 of Battelle Rippe Kingston’s partners will be joining McGladrey as leaders in Southwest Ohio, including Foley, who will become part of McGladrey’s Great Lakes leadership team.

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