Open Systems Inc. has merged in Greenville, S.C. channel partner Application Computer Systems (ACS), marking the third such move over the past two years.

Cetera Financial Group, which has a strong presence in the accounting market, was acquired Thursday by RCS Capital for $1.15 billion in cash, making RCAP the nation’s second-largest independent broker-dealer by advisor count.

Abrams Little-Gill Loberfeld PC has acquired the accounting and tax practice of Andrew M. Freedman, CPA.

Wipfli LLP has added the Chicago-based practice Regulatory Compliance Associates Inc., to its roster.

BDO USA LLP has expanded its middle-market presence with the addition of Business Forums International.

Yeo & Yeo and Hungerford & Co. of Southgate, Mich. have agreed to merge. The combined firm will operate under the Yeo & Yeo name and will give the firm the opportunity to extend its reach in the Southeast Michigan region.

McGuire Sponsel has merged with the consulting firm BT ProjectPoint. The new addition will assist organizations to secure project financing, provide swap and debt advisory services, and negotiate and secure economic incentives.

Mergers and acquisitions between CPA firms are expected to continue at a strong pace this year, particularly among small to midsized regional firms, according to a new book on acquisition strategies published by American Institute of CPAs.

Marcum LLP has added three divisions of Braver PC to its roster.

We can always discuss product news, but I’m thinking that in recent history there have been few development more worth noting than the acquisition of Tectura and Armanino’s move to snap up Rose Business Solutions.

Salmon Sims Thomas & Associates has agreed to merge with DaVee CPA. Rebecca DaVee, partner and founder of the firm, has 30 years of experience in public and private accounting, covering both tax and audit engagements in numerous industry sectors.

Brock, Schechter & Polakoff LLP has added Gould & Swanson PC and John P. Whitty PC to its firm.

GBH CPAs PC and Prather Kalman have merged their practices under the GBH name. The combined firm will have about 40 employees.

Tostevin Accountancy Inc. has merged with PMB Helin Donovan, Consultants & CPAs.

Infor has purchased cloud-based human capital management analysis product maker PeopleAnswers for an undisclosed sum.

The acquisition is part of the firm’s initiative to expand its Small Business practice.

Accounting and consulting firm Armanino has purchased Rose Business Solutions, effectively combining the Microsoft Dynamics consulting and reselling businesses.

The newly added firm will operate under the Mowery & Schoenfeld name. Wolowicki & Associates has since relocated to Mowery & Schoenfeld's offices in Lincolnshire, Ill.

Kreinces Rollins & Shanker LLC has reached an agreement to acquire the tax practice of Robert A. Samsel LLC of Lodi, N.J.

From my observation there appears to be a major vision problem with CPA firms: no formal strategic plan for growth other than mergers and acquisitions.