CALIFORNIA
RBZ merges in Kaufman + Bernstein
Details: Accounting and business management firm RBZ LLP has merged in Kaufman + Bernstein, building its business management practice in Los Angeles, particularly for entertainment industry clients.
The deal adds 19 new members to RBZ, including founders Roy Kaufman and Howard Bernstein. Kaufman + Bernstein specializes in business management services to the entertainment industry, including actors, writers, directors, producers and composers. They also work with company executives and high-net-worth individuals.
CONNECTICUT
Weaver merges with RIN Attest and Advisory Services
Details: Top 100 Firm Weaver has added RIN Attest and Advisory Services to the firm. The merger gives Weaver a boost in the energy compliance and renewables industry. David Bennett, founder of RIN Attest and Advisory Services, is joining Weaver as a partner in the firm's energy compliance services practice, and will be based out of the firm's Stamford, Ct., office. Bennett's practice specializes in attestations required under the Renewable Fuel Standard regulations, as well as renewable energy business intelligence solutions.
FLORIDA
CBIZ acquires Lewis, Birch & Ricardo
Details: Top 100 Firm CBIZ Inc. has signed a definitive agreement to acquire the non-attest business of Tampa Bay, Fla.-based Lewis, Birch & Ricardo LLC.
LBR was formed in 1990 as a professional tax, accounting and consulting service provider. The firm specializes in matrimonial and family law litigation support, not-for-profit entities, and health care provider services.
Goldstein Schechter Koch and De Meo, Young, McGrath & Co. merge
Details: Goldstein Schechter Koch has merged with De Meo, Young, McGrath & Co. The additional GSK office supports the firm's goal to expand throughout Broward County. The deal is also expected to bring additional expertise in providing tax, assurance, consulting and accounting services for insurance companies.
ILLINOIS
Porte Brown LLC acquires LHW & Associates
Details: Porte Brown LLC has acquired the Crystal Lake, Ill.-based firm LHW & Associates. LHW offers specialized services for clients in the mortgage banking, construction, manufacturing, real estate, medical, professional services and various consumer markets. LHW's staff members and its partner Frank Lebda have joined the Porte Brown team. LHW will operate under the Porte Brown name and will continue to service clients in their Crystal Lake office.
CJBS and Kenneth Finkle Accounting pairs up
Details: CJBS LLC, an accounting and financial consulting firm in Northbrook, Ill., has completed a merger with the accounting and tax services business of Kenneth S. Finkle, also based in Northbrook. The combined firm will operate as CJBS LLC.
KENTUCKY
Local firms join up to form Kelley Galloway Smith Goolsby PSC
Details: Smith, Goolsby, Artis & Reams and Kelley, Galloway & Co. have agreed to merge. The deal is expected to close on July 1, 2014. The combined firm will operate under its new name, Kelley Galloway Smith Goolsby PSC. The firm will have a total of 52 employees, including 11 shareholders/directors. In addition to offices in Ashland, the firm will continue to maintain branch offices in Pikeville and Cold Spring, Ky., and Cincinnati, Ohio.
The two independently owned firms provide a wide range of tax, audit, consulting and compliance services to individuals, and small to midsized business and organizations, primarily throughout Kentucky, Ohio and West Virginia.
MARYLAND
ParenteBeard picks up Invotex
Details: Top 100 Firm ParenteBeard LLC bolstered its insurance consulting practice with the addition of team members from consulting firm Invotex. ParenteBeard gained 26 new employees from the recent combination, which includes four partners. The addition expands ParenteBeard's offices to include Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Delaware, Connecticut, Texas and Maryland. Invotex also enhances ParenteBeard's forensic, litigation and valuation consulting services, which will now include bankruptcy and liquidations.
NEW JERSEY
WithumSmith+Brown and Hutchins, Meyer & DiLieto merge
Details: Top 100 Firm WithumSmith+ Brown has merged in Hutchins, Meyer & DiLieto PA, building WS+B's presence in Toms River, N.J. The deal added 15 professionals to WS+B's roster, with the HMD staff relocating to WS+B's Toms River office.
"We have been seeking the right strategic partner to enhance our presence in Ocean County, and we found the perfect match with Hutchins, Meyer & DiLieto in terms of expertise, geographic location and culture," said Dan Vitale, partner-in-charge of WS+B's Toms River office, in a statement. "Our new colleagues pride themselves on providing clients with excellence and integrity, aligning with the commitment made to all WithumSmith+Brown clients."
HMD specializes in real estate, health care technology, life sciences, restaurants and not-for-profits. It also provides litigation support, valuation and wealth management services to high-net-worth families.
NEW YORK
O'Connor Davies and Mersel, Klein & Co. merge
Details: O'Connor Davies and Mersel, Klein & Co. have agreed to merge. The combined firm will operate under the O'Connor Davies name. Partners Kenneth Mersel and Steven Klein and their staff members are now working in O'Connor Davies' existing New York office.
OHIO
Maloney + Novotny LLC expands in Central Ohio
Details: Maloney + Novotny LLC has added Wolf, Rogers, Dickey & Co. to its roster. WRD provides services to an array of clients throughout Delaware, Franklin and the surrounding counties, which range from closely held entrepreneurial businesses and their owners to numerous governmental entities. More than 20 WRD's shareholders and staff, including Don Wolf, Bill Rogers and Mike Dickey, will join Maloney + Novotny. Dickey will serve as the shareholder-in-charge of Maloney + Novotny's Delaware office, which will remain at its current address.
TENNESSEE
Daniels, Uselton & Clay and Collinsworth, Bright & Co. to merge
Details: Daniels, Uselton & Clay PC and Collinsworth, Bright & Co. have signed a merger agreement. The accounting firms have changed their names to Uselton, Clay & Bright PC. The Kingston, Tenn., branch of UC&B will primarily serve small to midsized enterprises, not-for-profits, local governments, and growth-oriented individuals in East Tennessee. The Nashville office will continue to focus on providing consulting services to artists, record executives, recording studios, publishing companies, writers and musicians, in addition to traditional accounting services for small businesses, banks and nonprofits.
TEXAS
MiddletonRaines+Zapata and Cindi Johnson PC merge
Details: MiddletonRaines+Zapata LLP has merged with Cindi Johnson PC. The merger, which closed on Jan. 13, 2014, gives MiddletonRaines+Zapata seven new members.
Cindi Johnson will join the firm as a partner in the firm's trust and estate tax practice. Johnson has more than 34 years of accounting experience and she primarily works with individuals, trusts, estates and small-business owners. Johnson's estate tax knowledge complements MiddletonRaines+Zapata's existing tax and audit service offerings.
Johnson opened her practice in Houston in 1980 after seven years as a corporate controller for PACE Management and Concerts.
WASHINGTON
Gallina acquires Pacific Northwest firm
Details: Top 100 Firm Gallina LLP has acquired Tueffers, Guckian & Gamon PLLC. TG&G has provided services to the construction industry for more than 30 years. It has clients in Alaska, Hawaii and Washington.
Principals at TG&G, including Mark Tueffers, Colette Guckian and David Gamon, have transitioned into the partner group at Gallina LLP. TG&G will remain at its current location in Mercer Island, Wash., for now.
