M&A roundup: Baker Tilly, ABIP and Benning expand

Details: Baker Tilly US LLP, a Top 20 Firm based in Chicago, said it intends to acquire Brown Adams Agbayani LLP, a firm in Mountain View, California, that specializes in complex tax strategies for private businesses and high-net-worth clients in the technology industry, expanding Baker Tilly’s presence in Silicon Valley.

Brown Adams Agbayani has been operating in Silicon Valley for about 40 years, providing sophisticated tax strategies for its tech clients.

“We admire how Brown Adams Agbayani has carved out its space and engrained itself into the fabric of this unique market,” said Stephen Milner, Baker Tilly’s managing partner for the Western U.S., in a statement Wednesday. “Combining that with Baker Tilly’s own expertise, we can truly broaden the reach and range of solutions for this clientele.”

“We’re proud of our history, and our commitment to the Silicon Valley and Bay Area will continue,” said Holly Wong Agbayani, co-managing partner of Brown Adams Agbayani, in a statement. “Joining Baker Tilly strengthens our capabilities to serve our clients’ sophisticated and multifaceted needs.”

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Baker Tilly’s revenue for the fiscal year ending May 31, 2020, was $919.6 million. It ranked No. 2 on Accounting Today’s 2020 list of the Top 100 Firms. Brown Adams Agbayani’s revenue for calendar year 2019 was $6.2 million. Baker Tilly has 4,200 professionals including 446 partners, while BAA has 19 professionals, including two partners.

Baker Tilly has been building its footprint in California, combining in August with Squar Milner LLP. The firm now has eight office locations, including one in Silicon Valley (Campbell), up and down the coast. The combination with Squar Milner took effect Nov. 1. The anticipated effective date of the deal with Brown Adams Agbayani is Jan. 1, 2021.

“This combination provides exciting opportunities for our team members. In our interactions alone, we can see what a strong culture Baker Tilly has and how beneficial this will be for our colleagues now and in the future,” said Norleen Bounds, co-managing partner of Brown Adams Agbayani, in a statement.

In March, Baker Tilly acquired Talavant, a data analytics firm in Madison, Wisconsin. Early last year, the firm also expanded into Texas by merging in Montgomery Coscia Greilich LLP, a Top 100 Firm in Dallas.

Details: ABIP CPAs & Advisors, a 100-person firm based in Houston, has merged in Parr & Associates, a firm in San Antonio, effective Oct. 15. They will be joining ABIP’s San Antonio office. ABIP also has an office in Pearsall, Texas.

“The natural synergies between Parr & Associates and ABIP make this merger beneficial to clients as well as the teams at both of our firms,” said ABIP managing partner Scott Irvine in a statement. “Parr & Associates strengthens our San Antonio presence and moves us further toward our goal of being one of the largest local independent firms in Texas.”

Parr & Associates was founded in 1993 and specializes in tax and business consulting.

“ABIP’s dedication to providing excellent client service fits well with our goal of providing the best service possible,” said Parr & Associates president Charles Parr in a statement. “It is how both of our firms have enjoyed success throughout the years. We share similar goals and believe this collaboration better enables us to serve clients in these changing times.”

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Details: Boeke & Associates Ltd. and Benning Group LLC, both based in Rockford, Illinois, completed a merger on Sept. 15.

Boeke has been offering accounting, tax, auditing, payroll, consulting and other services in northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin for over 40 years, according to the Rockford Register Star. As part of the deal, Roger Boeke is joining Benning as a partner, along with three other team members, Luke Boeke, Sue Boeke and Kris Jones.

Financial terms were not disclosed.

Benning also has offices in Freeport, Illinois, and Monroe, Wisconsin. The firm has four other partners, including founder Don Benning.