CALIFORNIA
EisnerAmper merges in Harb, Levy & Weiland
Details: EisnerAmper is merging in Harb, Levy & Weiland, expanding the New York-based firm's presence to California, Illinois and India. The merger took effect on March 1. The combined firm will have annual revenues of over $270 million, and approximately 180 partners and 1,300 employees. Of those, HLW is contributing 10 active partners and approximately 85 employees.
Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed.
The two firms have known each other for a number of years, according to HLW managing partner John Williamson, even though they have been part of different firm networks and associations. The combined firm will be a member of PKF. He noted that the firms didn't use any outside consultants, as many of the partners in EisnerAmper knew partners at HLW from being in the marketplace over the years and from industry conferences.
THE MIDWEST
Wipfli merges in Tobin & Associates
Details: Less than a week after calling off a planned merger with Eide Bailly, Wipfli said that the partners and associates of Wisconsin-based Tobin & Associates have joined the firm. Tobin & Associates, founded in 1993, is a cost segregation firm that helps business clients across the country maximize their depreciation for federal income tax purposes. Tobin & Associates' leader, Craig Tobin, will be based out of Wipfli's Milwaukee office, along with his firm's other associates. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Wipfli was planning a much larger merger with Eide Bailly that was scheduled to take effect in June and create a $314 million firm to be called EB Wipfli before the two firms called off the deal in late February.
NEW JERSEY
Jersey firms unveil merger
Details: CPA firms Bartolomei Pucciarelli and Ballezzi & Associates have merged, effective immediately. Terms were not disclosed. Going forward, the combined firm will do business under the brand Bartolomei Pucciarelli.
With three offices in New Jersey, Bartolomei Pucciarelli provides accounting, taxation, financial and business advisory services to small and midsized businesses. The 40-plus-year-old Ballezzi & Associates provides accounting and business advisory services with a specialty in the IT sector.
NEW YORK
EFP Rotenberg merges in Toski & Co.
Details: Two upstate New York firms, EFP Rotenberg and Toski & Co., have agreed to combine.
Under the terms of the agreement, Buffalo-based Toski & Co. will retain its name, but will be identified as an EFP Rotenberg company. Ronald Toski will continue to serve as managing director of his firm, but will also become a partner in Rochester-based EFP Rotenberg.
The combined firm will have over $31 million in annual revenue, and 11 offices, mostly in New York State, but also in Los Angeles. The combination will include 33 partners, nine directors and more than 250 professionals. The firm plans to hire additional staff to meet its existing business demands and anticipated growth.
EFP Rotenberg specializes in taxation, SEC auditing, health care, business valuation and forensic accounting services. Toski & Co. targets the government, nonprofit and real estate sectors. The two firms service a wide range of clients, including an extensive number of privately held and family-owned businesses.
SOUTH CAROLINA
CBIZ boosts SALT practice
Details: CBIZ Inc. has expanded its national state and local tax practice by adding the professional staff formerly with the state tax consulting group of Dow Lohnes Price, effective March 1. Based in Greenville, the six-member group, led by Geoff Christian and Marshal Kline, provides state tax consulting services for corporate business entities, and was formerly a non-legal affiliate of the Washington, D.C.-based law firm Dow Lohnes PLLC.
Continuing its operations from Greenville, the group will be integrated into the CBIZ national SALT practice reporting to practice leader Craig Williams. The expanded practice will continue to serve clients throughout the country.
