LMC merges in Stephen A. Kepniss & Associates; Sorren adds Williams Overman Pierce; and Alpine Mar acquires Elliot Melamed.
M&A roundup: LMC, Sorren and Alpine Mar expand
July 1, 2025 5:01 PM
LMC integrates Kepniss
The combination of LMC and Kepniss promises to expand both firms' services, especially in tax advisory, real estate-related services, and specialized planning for high-net-worth individuals.
"Stephen Kepniss and Richard Di Palma and their outstanding team bring three decades of highly sophisticated tax experience that will further expand our capacity to meet our clients' increasingly complex needs," said LMC CEO Lee M. Cohen, a member of
Kepniss and Di Palma founded their firm in 1994, and it specializes exclusively in tax services. The firm's eight tax professionals will continue to operate from Kepniss's Springfield office.
"LMC is not only a New York City professional services leader, as an Ascend partner firm they give us access to world-class technology, advanced training and professional advancement for our team, top-tier peer collaboration, and expanded growth opportunities," said Kepniss in a statement. "Their extensive resources will free us to focus on serving our clients, advancing our capacity far beyond what we could manage on our own."
After joining Ascend, LMC adopted an alternative practice structure: LM Cohen & Co. LLP, an independently owned and licensed CPA firm, will provide attest services, and LMC Advisors LLC will provide tax and business advisory services.
LMC Advisors ranked No. 21 on Accounting Today's Regional Leaders list of the
Sorren adds Williams Overman Pierce
Sorren, a firm based in Meridien, Ohio, has added Williams Overman Pierce LLP, a firm in Raleigh, North Carolina, as part of its rapid expansion.
Earlier this year,13 firms combined to form Sorren , backed by private equity firm DFW Capital Partners, bringing together over 1,000 employees and 20 offices across the country. The combination with WOP will add 50 employees and six partners.
Williams Overman Pierce has over 50 years of experience in accounting, attest, tax and consulting services across various industries.
"Williams Overman Pierce is a firm with a strong reputation, deep client relationships, and a commitment to quality that aligns perfectly with Sorren's vision," said Sorren president Josh Tyree in a statement. "Their presence in North Carolina expands our reach in a strategically important region and strengthens our ability to serve clients with both national resources and local insight."
WOP's offices are located in Greensboro, Raleigh and Wilmington, North Carolina.
"Joining Sorren is a natural next step for our firm and our clients," said WOP managing partner George Lambert in a statement. "We're gaining access to expanded resources and capabilities while continuing to offer the high-touch service our clients expect. It's an exciting opportunity for our team and the communities we serve."
Earlier this year,
Williams Overman Pierce has over 50 years of experience in accounting, attest, tax and consulting services across various industries.
"Williams Overman Pierce is a firm with a strong reputation, deep client relationships, and a commitment to quality that aligns perfectly with Sorren's vision," said Sorren president Josh Tyree in a statement. "Their presence in North Carolina expands our reach in a strategically important region and strengthens our ability to serve clients with both national resources and local insight."
WOP's offices are located in Greensboro, Raleigh and Wilmington, North Carolina.
"Joining Sorren is a natural next step for our firm and our clients," said WOP managing partner George Lambert in a statement. "We're gaining access to expanded resources and capabilities while continuing to offer the high-touch service our clients expect. It's an exciting opportunity for our team and the communities we serve."
Alpine Mar acquires Elliot Melamed
Alpine Mar, a firm based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, has expanded its offerings to include assurance services by acquiring Elliot Melamed PA in Coral Springs.
As a result. Alpine Mar will be able to audit and review financials. The firm also reported it has achieved an average annual revenue growth rate of 220% year over year since it was founded in 2020 and now has 17 U.S.-based employees.
"Our assurance services launch reflects what we're hearing from our clients," said Alpine Mar CEO and managing partner Pablo Martell in a statement. "They want more than a traditional accounting firm — they also want real insights, proactive guidance and strategic support at every stage of growth. Bringing assurance services in-house allows us to deliver on that promise."
Martell launched Alpine Mar in 2020, and the firm's partners started their careers with the Big Four. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, but Alpine Mar said Elliot Melamed PA was roughly equal in size to Alpine Mar in terms of revenue and staff leading up to the acquisition. The strategic acquisition doubled the size of Alpine Mar in terms of both revenues and employees.
Alpine Mar acquired eight new staff members and admitted one new partner to the firm at the time of closing. Alpine Mar now has a total of 17 U.S.-based employees and four partners.
As a result. Alpine Mar will be able to audit and review financials. The firm also reported it has achieved an average annual revenue growth rate of 220% year over year since it was founded in 2020 and now has 17 U.S.-based employees.
"Our assurance services launch reflects what we're hearing from our clients," said Alpine Mar CEO and managing partner Pablo Martell in a statement. "They want more than a traditional accounting firm — they also want real insights, proactive guidance and strategic support at every stage of growth. Bringing assurance services in-house allows us to deliver on that promise."
Martell launched Alpine Mar in 2020, and the firm's partners started their careers with the Big Four. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, but Alpine Mar said Elliot Melamed PA was roughly equal in size to Alpine Mar in terms of revenue and staff leading up to the acquisition. The strategic acquisition doubled the size of Alpine Mar in terms of both revenues and employees.
Alpine Mar acquired eight new staff members and admitted one new partner to the firm at the time of closing. Alpine Mar now has a total of 17 U.S.-based employees and four partners.
