Highlights of firm mergers & acquisitions from the previous month

Accounting firms shouldn't think that there isn't a cost to a merger that doesn't happen

Eide Bailly LLP has acquired the Littleton, Colo.-based boutique tax firm Clark & Srsich LLC. The firm’s newest addition will provide services from the firm’s Golden, Colo., office.

HSMC Orizon LLC has brought Rand Hansen and his associates from G. Randall Hansen, CPA PC on board.

The planned union between major Sage North America partners SWK Technologies and Information Systems Management(ISM) is temporarily on hold as both organizations work to solidify their respective year-end businesses and expect to resume merger conversations in the new year.

Stephen F. Schink CPA and Barone, Howard & Co. CPAs have agreed to merge and will take effect on New Years Day.

BDO USA CEO Wayne Berson talks with Accounting Today editor-in-chief Daniel Hood about the firm's two recent mergers with Argy, Wiltse & Robinson and Asher & Co., and the firm's future plans for expansion.

The Canadian member firm of KPMG has acquired the Abbotsford, British Columbia-based firm, Cochrane & Associates Chartered Accountants. The deal closed on November 1, 2012.

Voller, Lee, Suess & Associates has agreed to join Eide Bailly LLP. The deal is set to close by December 1, 2012.

PwC US has acquired the IT and program management consulting firm, Ray Group International LLC, for an undisclosed sum. The deal closed on Nov. 6, 2012.

ADP has agreed to sell its ADP Taxware business to Vista Equity Partners for an undisclosed amount.

John Wiley & Sons has acquired Efficient Learning Systems, an e-learning system provider that specializes in professional finance and accounting, for $24 million.

Transition Advisors president Joel Sinkin discusses succession planning for accounting firms and how they can prepare for mergers.

Top 100 Firm The Bonadio Group has agreed to add Richard Zweifel and his team to its central N.Y. roster.

Hancock Askew & Co. LLP has agreed to merge with Stein Accounting CPA. Once the merger is complete Hancock will have 65 employees, which includes eight partners and two principals.

Where high-profile firm mergers may take us

Firm mergers and combinations from the previous month

The major news of the previous month in accounting.

Accounting firms shouldn’t think that there isn’t a cost to a merger that doesn’t happen -- or worse, one that falls apart -- lawyer and M&A expert Steven Berger told attendees at Accounting Today’s Growth & Profitability Summit.

The technology consulting division of McGladrey has acquired top NetSuite reseller Forward Hindsight, effectively increasing its NetSuite business which it started over a year ago.