Succession planning, recruiting, M&A and developing top talent and pricing pressures were among several front-burner issues that came to the forefront during a roundtable discussion by members of the Advisory Board.

Veris Consulting Inc. has expanded its forensic accounting and litigation support practice to Jacksonville, Fla., adding Edward Buttner, a CPA with over 30 years of experience.

HintonBurdick CPAs & Advisors is merging in a sole proprietor’s practice, Gardner Tax and Accounting, in St. George, Utah.

Smolin Lupin & Co. of Fairfield, N.J., has merged with McKinley White & Co., LLP of Paramus, N.J., expanding the firm’s services in the not-for-profit, education and transportation sectors.

The Tax & Accounting business of Thomson Reuters has acquired Canadian tax preparation software developer Dr Tax Software Inc.

Traphagen Financial Group, a provider of accounting and wealth management services based in Oradell, N.J., has merged in the Paramus, N.J.-based practice of Gerald Brignola, CPA, effective January 1.

CPA and business consulting firm Davis & Bellomo has acquired the Leawood, Kan.-based practice of Willa Franklin.

WeiserMazars LLP has merged in Biscotti, Toback & Company, expanding the firm’s presence in Long Island and industry expertise in providing accounting services for food and beverage companies.

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.