Jackson, Miss. (Aug. 31, 2004) -- Mississippi-based firms Smith, Turner & Reeves PA and Gillon & Co. Ltd. will join their accounting and financial consulting practices effective Sept. 1.
According to the two firms, both of which are celebrating their 30th anniversaries this year, the merger will form the fourth largest Mississippi-based firm. The combined entity, which will keep the Smith, Turner & Reeves moniker, will have a staff of 58, including 32 CPAs. Gillon & Co.'s three partners, William H. Gillon III, Cathy R. Reed and Louis M. Tatum, will assume similar positions in ST&R, bringing its total to 11 partners. Gillon’s affiliate, Magnolia Medical Billing, LLC, which provides billing services to area physician practices, is also included in the merger.
The combined firm will maintain its three existing offices, with plans to open a satellite office in Brookhaven this fall.
“This is a merger with great synergy,” said Jon C. Turner, managing partner of ST&R. “Our corporate philosophies are very similar and will provide for a seamless transition. We are well acquainted with the Gillon firm, and, through the years, we have worked with them on several projects and have great respect for them professionally and personally.”
Smith, Turner & Reeves serves the government, telecommunications, manufacturing, health care, insurance and construction industries. Gillon’s area of practice includes traditional audit, tax and consulting services, and includes auto dealerships, planning districts, municipalities, oil and gas, and health care.
“The merger is an opportunity for us to provide extended services to our clients due to the depth and experience of the expanded firm,” said Gillon. “The size and strength of Smith, Turner & Reeves allow us to handle work for larger clients, and there is the opportunity for growth that will allow us to employ more professionals locally.”
“An immediate benefit is Smith, Turner & Reeves’ expertise in specific areas,” said Gillon. “For example, four members of the firm are valuation specialists, allowing us to offer those capabilities in-house. ST&R also owns expertise in the audits of specific industries prevalent in our state. They also do work throughout the Southeast which offers our staff expanded continuing opportunities and exposure.”
Smith, Turner & Reeves first expanded outside of Jackson in 1999, when it joined practices with Vickie M. Cook CPA, of Oxford. Other smaller mergers in the Jackson area have included the Church Co., a health care firm, and several sole practitioners in recent years.
-- WebCPA staff
