M&A roundup: Hancock Askew, Baratz and DMJ expand

Details: Hancock Askew & Co. LLP., a regional firm based in Savanna, Georgia, is expanding to Jacksonville, Florida, by adding S. Mark Hand & Associates PA.

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Hancock Askew ranked No. 19 on Accounting Today’s 2020 Regional Leaders list of the Top Firms in the Southeast with $19.05 million in annual revenue.

S. Mark Hand & Associates specializes in providing tax, accounting, business valuations and litigation support services. As part of the deal, Hand is joining Hancock Askew as a partner.

“We hold similar values as Hancock Askew and this merger allows us to provide additional services and resources to our clients, all while maintaining our commitment to quality of work and excellent client service,” he said in a statement.

Hancock Askew dates back to 1910. The firm provides audit, tax, accounting, internal audit, IT risk assurance and advisory, SOC examinations, transaction advisory, business valuations and other consulting services. The deal is part of the firm’s plan to expand its presence in Florida. In June, Hancock Askew expanded in Miami by adding CA PA.

“We will have a combined 17 partners and more than 180 people across our six offices in Georgia and Florida (Savannah, Atlanta, Augusta, Miami, Tampa [and] Jacksonville),” said Hancock Askew managing partner Mike McCarthy in an emailed statement Monday. “We work as one firm across all offices and, in a COVID remote world, that includes remote workers that do not report to a specific office on a routine basis.”

A Hancock Askew partner, Allen Akins, is relocating to Jacksonville to help lead the new office. "I’ve been serving many great clients in the Jacksonville area for years and I am happy to become a local resource for them,” Akins said in a statement. “Together as a team, we are ready to grow in Jacksonville, bring value to our clients, and create new opportunities for our people.”

Details: Baratz & Associates PA, a firm based in Marlton, New Jersey, is adding Robin, Kramer & Green LLP, a firm in Fort Washington, Pennsylvania, effective Nov. 2.

The combined firm will have approximately 60 total team members and plans to maintain offices in both Marlton and Fort Washington. Baratz has seven full partners and one associate partner, while RKG had two full partners and one associate partner. The combined firm will have 17 or 18 CPAs.

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. B&A has over $6.2 million in annual revenue, while RKG earned under $2 million last year.

Baratz was founded nearly 40 years ago, and the deal will allow it to expand its operations and geographic reach. The firm provides accounting, auditing, business acquisition, health care consulting, litigation support, tax planning and valuation services.

“We are thrilled with this new partnership and what it will mean to all of our clients,” said Baratz managing partner Raymond Giunta in a statement Monday. “Our synergies in business consulting and valuation will allow enhanced client services. Additionally, our firm cultures and focus on excellence are aligned.”

RKG was established in the 1950s. In 1987, the firm broadened its services into litigation support and estate planning when attorney David Kramer joined the firm. Steven Green joined in 1994, bringing more expertise to the audit, accounting and tax services of the firm. He was managing partner of RKG prior to the deal.

“We are excited by the opportunity to join Baratz & Associates,” Green said in a statement. “We have always served as true partners with our clients, working with them to enhance and profitably grow their businesses. And we know that will continue as a combined firm.”

Details: DMJ & Co. PLLC, an accounting and business consulting firm based in Greensboro, North Carolina, added the Roberson CPA Firm PLLC in Durham, North Carolina, effective Nov. 1.

The deal comes on the heels of DMJ’s expansion one year ago to Wilmington, North Carolina, and its renovation and relocation in Durham, North Carolina, several months ago. Financial terms of the latest deal were not disclosed.

Roberson CPA Firm is a second-generation firm established by William Roberson. James Edward Roberson took the helm as managing member in 2004.

The combined firm will employ more than 100 people, including 13 partners, with four office locations across North Carolina in Greensboro, Durham, Sanford and Wilmington.

Susan Miller will continue to serve as partner-in-charge of DMJ’s Durham office. Earlier this month, the Roberson staff moved to DMJ’s recently renovated offices.

“We are very excited to join DMJ,” said Ed Roberson in a statement. “We share similar values, both focused on placing relationships first. We look forward to continuing to serve our clients and deepening our commitment to this community.”

Together, the firms will provide traditional accounting and tax services, while specializing in international tax consulting, litigation support, succession planning, ans audit and reviews, along with other services. DMJ also offers medical and dental practice management through its DMJ Healthcare unit and wealth management services through DMJ Wealth Advisors LLC, and plans to offer such services to Roberson’s existing clients.

“We have always believed in being strategic about our growth, remaining steadfast on opportunities that best fit our clients’ needs and the communities in which we live and work,” said DMJ managing partner Mike Gillis in a statement. “This announcement speaks volumes about the confidence we have in the Triangle region and DMJ’s vision and future.”

DMJ has been serving clients since 1949. It expanded to Durham in 2016 when it acquired Hutchings & Hutchings. Last year, DMJ expanded to southeast North Carolina with its Wilmington office.