Rehmann adds firms in Florida and Michigan

Rehmann announced a series of deals in Florida and Michigan.

The firm, based in Troy, Mich., said Tuesday it is combining with Wiebel, Hennells and Carufe, PLLC, a firm based in Bonita Springs, Fla. and with Jana Knudson of Lutz & Knudson, PA., in Naples, Fla., effective Jan. 1, 2018. In its home state, Rehmann separately announced Tuesday it has entered into a business combination with Godfrey Wise Berg, CPAs & Advisors, LLC, based in Lansing, Mich.

Financial terms were not disclosed. Rehmann ranked 36th on Accounting Today’s 2017 list of the Top 100 Firms, with $115 million in annual revenue.

Wiebel, Hennells and Carufe was founded in 1989 and provides a variety of business and financial services. “This is an opportunity to create something bigger and better with people and companies who have proven track records in partnering with clients to achieve great success,” said WH&C managing partner Doug Wiebel in a statement. “We already have a powerful reputation in the Florida region and going forward we will be even more of a leader in the financial services industry.”

WH&C associates will stay in their Bonita Springs office, working under the Rehmann brand, and continue to operate a satellite office in Fort Myers.

Bonita Springs, Fla.
A bird's eye view of Bonita Springs Florida, showing canals, trees and buildings.

Jana Knudson, CPA, has over 30 years of tax and accounting experience, including operating her own firm Lutz & Knudson, PA. She will be working out of Rehmann’s newly relocated Naples office.

“These combinations are dynamic and transformative opportunities as we continue to grow our Florida presence,” said Rehmann CEO Randy Rupp in a statement. “This will give us the chance to leverage the individual strengths of Rehmann, WH&C and Jana Knudson across a larger footprint in Southwest Florida, and enhance our ability to drive growth and deliver business wisdom.”

The combination with Godfrey Wise Berg, CPAs & Advisors, LLC will give Rehmann greater access to the Lansing area, where GWB has operated since 2005, offering tax, consulting and other services. Rehmann will add its accounting, wealth management and corporate investigation services to its offerings.

“We are excited to join Rehmann in a combination that not only creates a more diversified company, but serves as a catalyst to stimulate future growth,” said GWB managing partner Craig Godfrey in a statement. “Rehmann is a well-respected name in the financial industry and we share similar values of integrity, quality and client success.”

“Rehmann and Godfrey Wise Berg complement each other in powerful ways, and this strategic combination will further position Rehmann as a growth-oriented, full-service and diversified financial services firm,” said Rupp. “We look forward to implementing our strategy as stronger company, and welcoming a very talented group to the Rehmann family.”

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