M&A roundup: CRI, LGA, Adams Brown and Stephano Slack expand

Carr, Riggs & Ingram added DK Partners; LGA merged in Ziner & Murphy; Adams Brown acquired Stafford & Westervelt; and Stephano Slack merged in Boyer & Boyer and Kimmel, Lorah & Associates.

Carr, Riggs & Ingram adds DK Partners

Courtesy of CRI

Carr, Riggs & Ingram, a Top 25 Firm based in Enterprise, Alabama, has expanded its presence in Texas by adding DK Partners, PC, based in Austin.

DK Partners was founded in 1984 and provides tax, audit, consulting and advisory services to clients in the government, nonprofit, banking, and privately held business sectors.

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. CRI ranked No. 23 on Accounting Today's 2025 list of the Top 100 Firms, with $506.45 million in annual revenue. DK Partners' four partners and 30 staff will join CRI's 462 partners and 2,612 staff members. DK has one office, which its staff will remain in for the time being, in the Austin market, where there was an existing CRI office as well.

In October, CRI added Abroms & Associates in Florence, Alabama. In September, it acquired Williams Steinert Mask in San Antonio, Texas. It also added Regional Leader CapinCrouse in Indianapolis in January, marking its largest merger to date and its first deal since taking outside investment. Last November. CRI received funding from Centerbridge Partners and Bessemer Venture Partners to support a long-term growth strategy.

In August 2024, CRI added ProSport CPA, a firm in New Kent County, Virginia, offering tax and accounting services within the sports and entertainment niche. In 2023, it expanded into Oklahoma by adding Stanfield + O'Dell PC, a firm in Tulsa. CRI expanded to South Carolina in 2022 by adding Lanning Group LLC, a firm based in Mount Pleasant in the Charleston suburbs, and expanded in Florida by adding Alonso & Garcia, a firm in Miami. It expanded that year in Florida by adding Travani & Richter in Jupiter, and in Texas by adding Pharr Bounds LLP in Austin.

LGA merges in Ziner & Murphy

LGA offices

LGA LLP, a Regional Leader based in Woburn, Massachusetts, added Ziner & Murphy, PC, based in Stoneham, Massachusetts, effective Dec. 1, 2025, the second M&A deal announced by LGA this week.

On Monday, LGA announced it was adding Cohen Cohen & Co. in Boston, also effective Dec. 1, 2025. With the two mergers and LGA's ongoing organic growth, LGA is on track to become a $35 million firm, according to a spokesperson. Two members of the Ziner team are joining LGA, one partner and one principal. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. LGA ranked No. 9 on Accounting Today's Regional Leaders list of the Top Firms in New England in 2025, with $30.53 million in annual revenue, three offices, 28 partners and 165 employees.

Ziner & Murphy's team in Stoneham will be moving to LGA's offices in Woburn and Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, and Salem, New Hampshire.

Ziner & Murphy was founded by managing partner Dave Murphy and specializes in clients in the construction industry, as well as charter schools and nonprofit organizations, and also does HUD audits.

"We're excited to welcome Dave Murphy and his team to LGA," said LGA managing partner John Geraci in a statement Wednesday. "Dave's experience and technical depth in the construction and HUD sectors complement our growing industry footprint. Just as important, his values align perfectly with ours, prioritizing client relationships, integrity, and personalized service over scale."

"Joining LGA is a natural fit for us," said Murphy in a statement. "Our clients will benefit from broader expertise and resources without losing the personal attention they've always counted on. LGA's people-first approach and commitment to independence made this the right move for our clients and our team."

Last year, LGA merged in McGaunn & Schadron CPAs in Needham, Massachusetts, Comolli & Co. in Salem, New Hampshire, and in 2023 it added ALL CPAs in Boston.

Adams Brown acquires Stafford & Westervelt

Adams Brown office in Wichita, Kansas

Courtesy of Adams Brown

Adams Brown, a Regional Leader based in Wichita, Kansas, has acquired Stafford & Westervelt, Chartered, a firm with offices in Rogers, Arkansas, and Parsons, Kansas, effective Dec. 1, 2025.

The deal will enable Adams Brown to expand its footprint across Kansas and Arkansas, bringing the total number of offices to 11 in Kansas and three in Arkansas. Approximately 20 team members will join Adams Brown, including the leadership team of principals Michael Stafford, Jay Jungles, Tina McClenning, Matthew Stafford and Patrick Heavrin in similar leadership roles. Financial terms were not disclosed. Adams Brown ranked No. 8 on Accounting Today's 2025 Regional Leaders list of the Top Firms in the Midwest with $55.35 million in annual revenue,m over 20 partners and more than 350 employees.

"Expanding in Arkansas and reinforcing our presence in Kansas allows us to better serve business owners across the region," said managing principal & CEO Ben Wilson in a statement Tuesday. "The S&W team shares our dedication to client success, community engagement and going above+beyond in everything we do."

S&W has been operating for over 50 years providing tax and accounting services. "There is a strong synergy between our firms," said Michael Stafford in a statement. "We were drawn to Adams Brown's holistic service model and dedication to serving individuals and businesses in the local communities."

In 2023, Adams Brown merged in VonFeldt, Bauer & VonFeldt, a firm with offices in Manhattan and Larned,Kansas. Earlier that year, Adams Brown acquired The Technology Specialist Inc., based in Wichita, and formed Adams Brown Technology Specialists. Adams Brown previously acquired Fortner & Short, also based in Wichita, in 2021.

Stephano Slack merges in Boyer & Boyer and Kimmel, Lorah & Associates

Courtesy of Stephano Slack

Stephano Slack LLC, a firm based in Wayne, Pennsylvania, has merged in two firms: Boyer & Boyer CPA, based in Wilmington, Delaware, and Kimmel, Lorah & Associates LLP, in Audubon, Pennsylvania. Boyer & Boyer has already joined Stephano Slack and KLA is set to join effective Jan. 1, 2025. Optimum Strategies CEO Ira Rosenbloom was a strategic advisor for both transactions. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Boyer & Boyer CPA dates back to 1975. Its team joined Stephano Slack's Wilmington office while also continuing operations in Middletown, Delaware to continue serving clients across the state.

KLA was founded in 1946 and specializes in assurance, tax, specialized audits for HUD financing and single audit requirements, trust services, high-net-worth planning, and international matters.

"These mergers represent an important milestone for Stephano Slack," said Stephano Slack managing partner Michael Stephano in a statement Thursday. "We are honored that Boyer & Boyer and Kimmel, Lorah & Associates have chosen to entrust their long-standing client relationships to our team. Together, we strengthen our regional reach while continuing the boutique, personalized service our clients value."

Stephano Slack's headcount before the deal was 96 employees and six partners, while Boyer & Boyer's headcount was 10 employees and two partners.

"Joining forces with Stephano Slack marks an exciting new chapter for our clients," said Boyer & Boyer founding partner Donald Boyer in a statement. "We are able to preserve the personalized service our clients expect while gaining access to broader resources and support."

KLA's headcount was eight employees and one partner prior to the deal. "This merger brings our long-planned succession strategy to life," said KLA managing partner Robert Stevenson in a statement. "Our clients will experience continuity with added depth — expanded specialty services within a firm that shares our commitment to quality, responsiveness and trusted relationships."

Financial terms of the deals were not disclosed, but a spokesperson said Stephano Slack's size and client base would grow 15% as a result.

In January 2024, Stephano Slack added Morgenstern Waxman Ellershaw in Marlton, New Jersey, and the Caglioti Group in Haddonfield, New Jersey, as well as Gold Gerstein Group in February of this year.

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