M&A roundup: Deals across the country

Aprio, a Top 25 Firm based in Atlanta, is expanding to Southern California by acquiring Kirsch Kohn Bridge, a firm based in Woodland Hills, effective Nov. 1.

The deal will grow Aprio's geographic footprint while enabling it to expand into new local markets and industries. Financial terms were not disclosed. Aprio ranked No. 25 on Accounting Today's 2024 list of the Top 100 Firms, with $420.79 million in annual revenue, 210 partners and 1,851 professionals. The deal will add five partners and 31 professionals to Aprio. 

In July, Aprio received a private equity investment from Charlesbank Capital Partners. 

KKB has been operating for six decades offering accounting, tax, and business advisory services to industries including construction, real estate, professional services, retail, and manufacturing.

"There is tremendous synergy between Aprio and KKB, which enables us to further elevate our tax, accounting and advisory capabilities and deepen our roots across California," said Aprio CEO Richard Kopelman in a statement. "Continuing to build out our presence across the West Coast is an important part of our growth strategy and KKB  is the right partner to launch our first location in Southern California. Together, we will bring even more robust insights, perspectives and solutions to our clients to help them propel forward."

The Woodland Hills office will become Aprio's third in California, in addition to its locations further north in San Francisco and Walnut Creek.

"We are thrilled to become part of Aprio's vision for the future," said KKB managing partner Carisa Ferrer in a statement. "Over the past 60 years, KKB has grown from the ground up to suit the unique and complex challenges of our clients. As we move forward with our combined knowledge, we will accelerate our ability to leverage innovative talent, business processes, cutting-edge technologies, and advanced solutions to help our clients with even greater precision and care."

Joe Tarasco of Accountants Advisory served as the advisor to Aprio on the transaction. 

Aprio has completed over 20 mergers and acquisitions since 2017, adding Ridout Barrett & Co. last December, and before that, Antares Group, Culotta, Scroggins, Hendricks & Gillespie, Aronson, Salver & Cook, Gomerdinger & Associates, Tobin & Collins, Squire + Lemkin, LBA Haynes Strand, Leaf Saltzman, RINA and Tarlow and Co.

Opsahl Dawson, a firm based in Vancouver, Washington, formed a strategic partnership with Hauser Jones & Sas, based in Bellevue, Washington, effective Nov. 1.

The deal promises to expand Opsahl Dawson into a super-regional firm in the Pacific Northwest, adding to its existing offices in Vancouver, Lacey, and Longview/Kelso. Prior to the deal, Opsahl Dawson had 134 professionals, including eight partners and 126 staff members, while HJ&S had 40 people, including five partners and 35 staffers.

Opsahl Dawson is a partner firm on the Ascend growth platform, backed by private equity firm Alpine Investors. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. 

"We are both home-grown Washington firms built on hard work, strong values, and dedication to our people, our clients, our profession, and our communities," stated Opsahl Dawson CEO Aaron Dawson, who is a member of Accounting Today's 2024 Managing Partner Elite. "We have both perfected the client service model and have the most engaged employees in the industry." 

Opsahl Dawson was founded in 1979 and specializes in tax and accounting services for small businesses. HJ&S, founded in 2016, focused on financial institutions and closely held businesses.

"Among the first criteria we evaluated was the cultural fit between our organizations, and we found that Opsahl Dawson's values meshed very well with our own," said HJ&S managing partner Ellen Sas in a statement. "Their people-first culture is a natural extension of our teamwork, commitment, and integrity values, and on top of that, we knew we would be joining a forward-thinking firm pursuing cutting-edge technology, with access to deep resources and experience in growth, operations, and recruiting. This was the right time for us, with the right people."

Doeren Mayhew & Co., a Top 75 Firm based in Troy, Michigan, has acquired Biggs, Hausserman, Thompson & Dickinson PC, expanding its presence in the western part of Michigan and growing its tax practice, effective Oct. 2.

BHT&D has offices in Saranac and Ada, Michigan.

"We're committed to continuing to grow our West Michigan market," said Joshua Garvey, Grand Rapids' managing principal at Doeren Mayhew Advisors LLC, in a statement Monday. "BHT&D is a great fit to help us do that. Serving the local market for more than 53 years, their team has forged strong ties in our community. This opportunity allows us to expand our reach in the Saranac and Ada areas, while growing our tax team at the same time." 

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Two principals and seven professionals from BHT&D joined the combined firm. Doeren Mayhew now has 105 principals and over 650 employees.

BHT&D CPAs was founded by Virgil Biggs in 1971 and focuses on providing tax, accounting and advisory services to West Michigan area businesses and individuals. Current shareholders Joseph Turnes, Aric Salgat and Dwayne Houghton will actively continue in tax leadership roles at Doeren Mayhew. 

"We're excited about what the future holds for us with Doeren Mayhew," said BHT&D managing partner Joseph Turnes in a statement. "Putting our clients' needs at the forefront, we recognize offering enhanced services is necessary to help them continue meeting their goals well into the future. Joining a larger firm like Doeren Mayhew allows our clients to benefit from an expanded suite of services and technical resources. We look forward to continuing to serve our clients with a firm whose commitment to the local area perfectly aligns with ours." 

Doeren Mayhew dates back to 1932 and entered the West Michigan market in 2022 with its acquisition of Beene Garter LLP. In June, the firm acquired Nearman, Maynard, Vallez CPAs in Miami, and last September, it acquired Michael Sorrentino's practice from Button Eddy & Sorrentino PLLC, based in Farmington Hills, Michigan. The firm also expanded its financial institutions group with the  acquisition of Garcia & Ortiz PA's SBA consulting practice last year. Doeren Mayheew received private equity investment in August from Audax Private Equity.