DMJ & Co. PLLC is acquiring Hutchings & Hutchings CPAs PA, expanding DMJ’s presence in North Carolina.

This column was precipitated by my hearing of the untimely death of a sole practitioner who was a friend. His family wanted to sell the practice and was shopping around for a buyer.

Apel and Associates to merge in Navigate to Success, and 2020CA joins Beavis Morgan.

Warren Averett LLC, CPAs and Advisors, is combining with Beason & Nalley Inc. to beef up its government contracting practice in the Southeast.

Acquisitions of consulting firms skyrocketed last year, particularly in North America and with many of the deals done by technology consultancies and Big Four firms, according to a new report.

Accounting firm Rea & Associates has acquired PMAgroup, an Ohio consulting firm that advises dentists on practice management, business development and succession planning.

Raich Ende Malter & Co. LLP plans to combine with Stein deVisser & Mintz, P.C., effective Nov. 1, 2016, expanding REM’s presence in New York City.

New York-based accounting firm Citrin Cooperman has expanded further in New England by combining with LGC+D LLP in Providence, R.I., effective September 1.

Sax has rebranded and launched a new website to commemorate its 60th anniversary and a split earlier this year from BST.

Preferred Accounting Services LLC has joined Mountjoy Chilton Medley LLP, effective Sept. 1, 2016.

BlackLine, a provider of continuous accounting solutions, has completed its acquisition of Runbook, a European provider of financial close and automation solutions to the SAP market.

HBK CPAs & Consultants has expanded its footprint in New Jersey by merging in Cordua, Pastore & Associates, a firm based in Cherry Hill.

Jackson Thornton, a CPA firm in Montgomery, Ala., is combining with Brantley, Boucher & Farr LLP, based in the Auburn-Opelika area, expanding Jackson Thornton’s presence in Alabama.

WithumSmith+Brown PC has combined with Fried & Kowgios Partners, a CPA firm that specializes in servicing theatrical productions, expanding Withum’s footprint in New York City, particularly behind the footlights.

Ostrow Reisin Berk & Abrams Ltd. has added Red Granite, an accounting and financial services firm that offers cloud-based bookkeeping and outsourced CFO services.

Wipfli LLP is expanding its presence in the Chicago area by adding Weltman Bernfield LLC, a firm based in the suburb of Buffalo Grove, Ill., effective September 1.

Barfield, Murphy, Shank & Smith plans to expand its footprint in Alabama by combining with Himmelwright, Huguley & Boles, a CPA firm in the Auburn-Opelika area, on January 1 next year.

Retaining and attracting the next generation of qualified professionals

Sensiba San Filippo LLP has acquired The Resultants Inc., a consulting firm that specializes in internal audit and Sarbanes-Oxley compliance for small and midsize business clients.

Rehmann is combining with Sobb Roberts, expanding the Michigan-based accounting firm’s presence in Toledo, Ohio.