AAFCPAs, a Top 100 Firm based in Westborough, Massachusetts, has acquired McLaren & Associates CPAs, PC, a firm in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, that specializes in forensic accounting.
The deal will expand AAFCPAs' forensic accounting, litigation support, business valuation and tax advisory services, adding 17 professionals to the firm. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. AAFCPAs ranked No. 87 on Accounting Today's 2025 list of the
McLaren & Associates was voted the Best Forensic Accounting Firm by the Worcester Business Journal's Best of Business Awards for the past eight years (2019–2026) and claims a 97% success rate in forensic accounting cases.
Among those coming aboard from McLaren is founder and managing partner David McLaren, who will join AAFCPAs as partner, risk advisory. He holds advanced credentials in accounting, forensic auditing and investigative techniques. He is a CPA, Chartered Global Management Accountant, Certified Forensic Accountant, Government Forensic Accountant, Registered Forensic Investigator and Certified Forensic Auditor.
Joining AAFCPAs tax advisory practice is tax partner Jennifer Chase-Williams, a CPA and MBA whose background includes business valuation, forensic accounting and personal income tax services.
"This strategic integration reflects our shared values and vision for the future," said AAFCPAs managing partner Carla McCall in a statement Monday. "By welcoming McLaren & Associates into AAFCPAs, we expand our resources and capabilities and reinforce our position as a leading advisory firm. In an AI-driven world where forensic accounting becomes ever more valuable to organizations facing escalated risk of financial and cybercrimes, this integration strengthens our ability to deliver exceptional outcomes for clients."
Both firms are Certified B Corporations. McLaren & Associates became a B Corp in 2019 and was the first accounting firm in New England to earn the designation, while AAFCPAs became a B Corp last year.
"Joining AAFCPAs allows us to expand our impact and stay true to our mission," said McLaren in a statement. "Our clients will benefit from access to the full breadth of AAFCPAs' business advisory solutions to support their continued growth. I have always loved the AAFCPAs tagline — Great Minds, Great Hearts — and everyone at McLaren is very excited about our bright future together."
Back in 2020, AAFCPAs acquired
