WeiserMazars LLP has merged in Integrity Consulting Solutions LLC, a management and technology consulting firm based in Frederick, Md., effective Sept. 1, 2016.

BDO USA LLP has expanded into Jacksonville, Florida, by adding the LBA Group, the firm’s ninth location in the Sunshine State.

Rea & Associates has merged in Friel & Associates, a firm based in Chardon, Ohio, effective November 1.

UHY Advisors and UHY LLP have acquired the professional services firm Pratesi, Salemi & Company LLC and the valuation firm Brentmore Valuation Advisors, in West Hartford, Connecticut.

Eide Bailly is expanding its presence in Las Vegas by adding the consulting firm JW Advisors and the CPA practice of Bryce Wisan.

The New Hampshire accounting firms Nathan Wechsler & Company, PA, and Robert M. Mucha, CPA, P.C., have combined, effective Oct. 28, 2016.

Ninety percent of the accounting industry is tied to compliance services in areas such as accounting, audit and tax, but don’t look there for encouraging signs of industry performance.

Equale & Cirone LLP, a firm based in Bethel, Conn., is combining with Friedberg, Smith & Co. PC, a firm in Bridgeport, Conn., to form Cirone Friedberg LLP, effective November 1.

K·Coe Isom is growing its footprint in California by acquiring Schmidt, Bettencourt & Medeiros in Turlock, the firm’s sixth location in the state.

Sikich LLP is acquiring Stanfield & Associates, a Chicago-area firm that specializes in doing outsourced accounting for family offices that provide wealth management for high net worth individuals and families.

BDO USA LLP has expanded its presence in Virginia by adding the Norfolk-based firm McPhillips, Roberts & Deans PLC, effective November 1.

Mankato-based accounting firm Abdo, Eick & Meyers has merged in Workforce Resources Inc.

My friend Al is a sole practitioner with seven staff members and a thriving audit practice, besides the typical tax and small business tax clients. He is getting older, and while he has no plans to retire and is actively trying to grow his practice, he periodically meets with larger firms to see if there is an interest in acquiring his practice when that day comes. By doing this he stumbled on a fantastic business development formula.

Pricing the accounting firm in an acquisition

Armanino LLP is expanding its presence to Dallas by combining with Travis Wolff, effective Jan. 1, 2017.

Crowe Horwath has reached an agreement with Crowe GHP Horwath for the Denver accounting and consulting firm’s people and operations to join Crowe on Jan. 1, 2017.

Joel Sinkin of Transition Advisors explains in this video why firms need detailed, comprehensive ownership agreements that actually describe the firm itself.

Many CPA firms have been expanding rapidly, both organically and through mergers and acquisitions. This has included significant geographic expansion beyond the firms’ core locations. It has also included expanding into new areas such as IT-related advisory services.

Baldwin CPAs is expanding in Central Kentucky by merging in Humphrey & Co. PLLC in Lexington.

Cole, Newton & Duran, a firm based in Livonia, Mich., is acquiring two other firms in the Detroit area, Michael G. Thomas CPA and Bartos, Hoffer, Lustig & Tomes, PC.