M&A roundup: Meaden & Moore; Platform Accounting expand

Meaden & Moore has acquired ChainRing Advisors, a Cleveland-based advisory and management consulting firm, and appointed its founder, Mark Kasinec, as director of advisory services. 

The acquisition promises to bolster Meaden & Moore's continued expansion into business intelligence, technology-enabled advisory, operational excellence and outsourced services. ChainRing Advisors works directly with equity owners, CEOs and presidents as part of the executive team, helping clients with sell-side and buy-side assistance, technology, data analytics, lean enterprise, and business performance improvement. 

"Integrating ChainRing Advisors into Meaden & Moore reflects our ongoing commitment to expanding the depth and breadth of our high-impact advisory services," said Meaden & Moore CEO Jim Rollins in a statement Wednesday. "Mark brings a unique combination of industry insight, operational expertise, and a data-driven mindset that aligns perfectly with our vision for the future of our advisory services. We're thrilled to welcome him to the firm as we continue to build forward-thinking solutions that deliver measurable value to our clients."

Kasinec has over 30 years of experience in executive leadership and management consulting, and in his new leadership role, he will oversee development of technology-driven solutions, processes and tools.

Meaden & Moore, also based in Cleveland, has over 250 professionals across 18 offices in the U.S., Canada, and the U.K. In 2021, it acquired Long Cook & Samsa in Wooster, Ohio, and in 2015 it acquired LBC International Investigative Accounting in Canada, London and Paris.

Platform Accounting Group has added Madison Street Advisors, formerly known as McCormick Tax Group, based in downtown Chicago, extending Platform's footprint in the Midwest.

Madison Street Advisors offers tax planning and preparation, focusing on audit mitigation strategies and reduction of audit profiles. Its team of attorneys, CPAs, and enrolled agents represents clients in disputes with the IRS and state agencies. It also offers bookkeeping services, audit defense and resolution, and other business services.

"We are excited to start this next chapter of our business," said Michael McCormick, managing partner at Madison Street Advisors, in a statement Wednesday. "We know our clients intimately and understand their unique demands and needs. Partnering with Platform allows us to expand the services and offerings to both our clients and team members."

Platform, based in Holladay, Utah, invests in and acquires smaller accounting firms, frequently rebranding them. In February, the private equity-funded firm added Keystone Advisor Group, formerly known as Heckman & Laudeman, in Orwigsburg, Pennsylvania, in January. Last month, Platform added AKM Advisors, a firm based in New York. Last December, it added Midwest Advisors, formerly known as Philip+Rae & Associates, in Naperville, Illinois, and Crossroads Advisors, formerly Peachin Schwartz + Weingardt, in Indianapolis. In 2023, the firm acquired and rebranded several firms in California, including Alpert & King and R.O.A.D in Thousand Oaks, JHS in Danville and Anaheim, and Hamilton & Co. in Modesto. Last year, it received an $85 million funding round led by Cynosure Group of Salt Lake City.