Moss Adams merges in Baker Peterson Franklin

Moss Adams is adding Baker Peterson Franklin, an accounting and consulting firm in Fresno, California, effective Jan. 1, 2019.

As part of the deal, 42 professionals from Baker Peterson Franklin will join Moss Adams, including seven partners and one director, growing the Fresno office at Moss Adams to 71 people.

Moss Adams, based in Seattle, ranked 12th on Accounting Today’s 2018 list of the Top 100 Firms. Financial details of deal were not disclosed. Moss Adams has more than 2,900 professionals across the firm. The seven partners joining from Baker Peterson Franklin takes the total partner count at Moss Adams to 343.

“We’re proud to combine with such a well-respected accounting firm,” said Chris Morse, partner in charge of the Moss Adams Fresno office, in a statement. “Baker Peterson Franklin is deeply rooted in the agriculture space, perfectly complementing and expanding our existing practice and industry-specific service offerings. The addition of their talented staff grows Moss Adams into the largest accounting and consulting firm in central California.”

Baker Peterson Franklin was founded in 1917 in Fresno and has grown into one of the biggest locally owned accounting firms in California’s Central Valley. It specializes in servicing agriculture, food and beverage processing businesses, auto dealerships, and closely held and family businesses, providing services such as tax and estate planning, business consulting and auditing.

“Combining with Moss Adams allows us to significantly broaden our service offerings,” stated Baker Peterson Franklin managing partner Kyle Stephenson. “We’ll have a greater range of capabilities and resources to bring to our clients while continuing to offer the personalized service our clients have come to expect from us.”

Last month, Moss Adams expanded in New Mexico by adding BPW&C, a firm based in the Albuquerque area. In September, the firm announced another merger, adding AsTech Consulting, a San Francisco-based cyber risk management firm. In the spring, Moss Adams also acquired Transacction Partners, a firm that specializes in outsourced finance and accounting services. Last year, Moss Adams merged in Hein & Associates, another Top 100 Firm, adding roughly $61 million to its revenues.

Moss Adams' offices in Seattle
Moss Adams' offices in Seattle

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