Warren Averett, Kimbrough & Marino LLC is merging with Wilson, Price, Barranco, Blankenship & Billingsley P.C. and O’Sullivan Creel LLP to create one of the largest CPA firms in the Southeast.

Online metasearch product maker InfoSpace Inc. has signed a definitive agreement to acquire online tax product provider TaxACT for $287.5 million in cash after the Justice Department blocked H&R Block from buying the company.

Cetera Financial Group plans to acquire Genworth Financial Investment Services, a unit of Genworth Financial that partners with tax and accounting professionals who provide financial planning and investment advice to clients.

Payroll and benefits outsourcing provider Paychex has acquired Icon Time Systems, an online and PC-based time and attendance products concern for small businesses.

Plante Moran is beefing up its construction industry practice by merging in Stuart Franey Matthews & Chantres P.C., a Michigan firm that focuses on contractors.

Eide Bailly plans to merge with Wipfli in June to create one of the largest accounting and consulting firms in the U.S., with annual revenue of more than $314 million and 2,327 partners and associates.

CPA and business advisory firm Weaver has expanded its reach in the San Antonio market, merging in local firm John R. Hannah & Co.

The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants could eventually merge with the American Institute of CPAs, according to CIMA’s chief executive.

Sage and Deltek reseller and technology consultant BCS ProSoft has purchased the Deltek Vision practice from Forepoint Inc., effectively growing its staff and customer base for the enterprise resource planning product.

BDO USA has expanded its New York and Los Angeles practices by adding six partners and 65 staff members from Salibello & Broder, effectively acquiring the firm.

Sensiba San Filippo has merged in another California firm, W.H. Mayer Accountancy Corporation, expanding Sensiba’s presence in the state.

Deloitte’s consulting arm has acquired Ubermind, a Seattle-based agency that helps companies develop and use mobile applications.

Marcum LLP has expanded its presence in Boston by acquiring Robert, Finnegan & Lynah PC, effective January 1.

COLORADO

Hayashi & Wayland Accounting & Consulting announced the acquisition of full-service CPA firm Snyder Accountancy, headquartered in Monterey, Calif., with a satellite office in Salinas, Calif., effective Jan. 1, 2012.

McPherson, Kan.-based accounting firm Swindoll, Janzen, Hawk & Loyd announced the acquisition of Hutchinson, Kan., firm BSE, effective Jan 1, 2012.

MNP, one of Canada's largest chartered accounting firms, will expand its presence in Manitoba by merging with Hemenway Silver, effective February 1.

Anton Collins Mitchell LLP has combined practices with Doty, Lyle and Jones LLC, expanding Denver-based ACM’s footprint in Colorado to Boulder.

Accountants and tax practitioners had a busy time this past year keeping up with all the changes in the profession. Here’s our annual list of the top stories in the past year that kept our readers coming to the site for the latest developments:

Deloitte has added Skura Business Intelligence Group to its Canadian firm, expanding the firm’s analytics capabilities.