Aprio merges in Henderson & Godbee; RSM’s German firm acquires HTG Wirtschaftsprüfung; Roer & Company joins Sweeney Conrad; and Paul A. Garcia merges with Eric E. Santa María.
M&A roundup: A host of year-end mergers
December 27, 2021 4:22 PM
GEORGIA: Aprio merges in Henderson & Godbee
Randy Sizemore
The merger will grow Aprio’s affordable housing and manufacturing practices
As part of the deal, Henderson’s 35 team members, including four partners, will join Aprio. Henderson has offered accounting and financial services for over 35 years across South Georgia, focusing on the affordable housing, manufacturing, professional services, real estate and construction industries. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Henderson identified Aprio as a strategic choice for a merger. “Several firms have approached us over the years,” said Henderson managing partner Jim Godbee in a statement. “Our strategic goals and how we care for our clients align with Aprio’s forward-thinking culture and passion for providing exceptional client service. We knew that joining Aprio would provide us with the strategic thinking and specialty services we wanted to offer our clients and also give our team members new opportunities to succeed and grow.”
Aprio has done 11 M&A deals since 2013 to broaden its presence in key U.S. markets. In February, it
“Serving affordable housing developers and manufacturers and distributors has been core to Aprio’s business growth,” said Aprio CEO and managing partner Richard Kopelman in a statement. “We’re excited to welcome Henderson Godbee to the Aprio family, furthering their capabilities to serve these vital markets.”
GERMANY: RSM’s German firm acquires HTG
Photo courtesy of RSM US LLP
As part of the deal, five partners of the HTG corporate group, along with 85 employees from its Berlin office, will join RSM. Meanwhile, 20 employees from the HTG office in Halle will serve the Leipzig business region.
The combination with HTG will expand RSM’s international restructuring and liquidator services, along with its audit, tax and consulting lines.
Financial terms were not disclosed. The acquisition is the latest in a series of mergers by RSM GmbH across Germany.
“By making the strategic acquisition of HTG, we are driving our firm forwards by adding 110 critical thinkers with outstanding attributes,” said Santosh Varughese, a managing partner of RSM in Germany, in a statement. “Expanding the RSM Berlin office and acquiring an office in Halle substantially increases our size and reach across the region."
"Our new HTG colleagues bring significant expertise in advising companies going through times of crisis. The fact that HTG has supported liquidators in over 10,000 court proceedings in the last 20 years, from consumer insolvencies to corporate group insolvencies, and across tax, accounting and business management, speaks for itself,” he added.
The deal will enable the RSM network to grow its presence in Germany. “Berlin is strategically an important location for our global clients,” said RSM International CEO Jean Stephens in a statement. “As one of the centres of European trade, it boasts a proud legacy of serving a strong middle market.”
RSM GmbH has 18 offices with approximately 700 employees, including more than 200 auditors, tax advisors and lawyers. The firm earned 90 million euros ($102 million) in 2020. The RSM Network has more than 48,000 employees in 820 offices in over 120 countries.
WASHINGTON STATE: Roer & Co. joins Sweeney Conrad
Details: Sweeney Conrad, PS, a firm based in Kirkland, Washington, has added Roer & Co., a firm based in Seattle, effective Dec. 1, 2021.
The deal will bring Gregory and Dorothy Roer to Sweeney Conrad. Gregory Roer founded the firm in 1984, and he was joined in 1997 by his wife Dorothy. The firm provides tax services to closely held businesses, high net worth individuals, international clients, and family trusts. Gregory currently serves as director at Golden Gate University’s Seattle campus, and Dorothy is an adjunct professor. They are joining Sweeney Conrad as principals.
Financial terms were not disclosed.
“Greg and Dorothy have a reputation and dedication to excellent service that is closely aligned with how we build relationships at Sweeney Conrad,” said Sam North, managing principal of Sweeney Conrad, in a statement. “They have been serving clients with a great deal of expertise and putting their clients first for close to 40 years. Their reputation and dedication to excellent service is closely aligned with how we build relationships at Sweeney Conrad.”
The deal will bring Gregory and Dorothy Roer to Sweeney Conrad. Gregory Roer founded the firm in 1984, and he was joined in 1997 by his wife Dorothy. The firm provides tax services to closely held businesses, high net worth individuals, international clients, and family trusts. Gregory currently serves as director at Golden Gate University’s Seattle campus, and Dorothy is an adjunct professor. They are joining Sweeney Conrad as principals.
Financial terms were not disclosed.
“Greg and Dorothy have a reputation and dedication to excellent service that is closely aligned with how we build relationships at Sweeney Conrad,” said Sam North, managing principal of Sweeney Conrad, in a statement. “They have been serving clients with a great deal of expertise and putting their clients first for close to 40 years. Their reputation and dedication to excellent service is closely aligned with how we build relationships at Sweeney Conrad.”
FLORIDA: Two local firms merge
Details: Paul A. Garcia PA, a CPA and consulting firm in Coral Gables, Florida, is merging with Eric E. Santa María CPA, also based in Coral Gables, to form Garcia Santa María PLLC, effective Jan. 1, 2022.
By joining forces, Garcia and Santa María hope to better position their clients for long-term success.
"We are excited to have Eric join our team,” Garcia said in a statement. “His extensive professional experience and credentials will add to our expertise and reputation for providing high-quality tax and consulting services in the South Florida community and internationally."
Garcia’s firm has been serving the Coral Gables community for over 35 years and specializes in tax, accounting, and forensic litigation support.
Santa María was previously the lead tax and litigation support partner with Verdeja De Armas Trujillo LLP. He has more than 20 years of experience providing tax, accounting and consulting services to individuals and businesses in South Florida. He serves clients in different industry groups including manufacturing, distribution, medical, real estate and aviation. He worked with Garcia previously after leaving PwC in 2009.
“I am excited to re-join Paul's team,” Santa María said in a statement. “I’ve known Paul as a good friend and colleague for more than 30 years and I’m very excited to partner with him to start our new firm. The added resources and expertise by joining forces with Paul will allow me to continue to service existing clients and allow me the opportunity to provide additional tax and consulting services during these uncertain times."
The firm intends to expand and hire professionals at various levels in the coming year both in the office and remotely.
By joining forces, Garcia and Santa María hope to better position their clients for long-term success.
"We are excited to have Eric join our team,” Garcia said in a statement. “His extensive professional experience and credentials will add to our expertise and reputation for providing high-quality tax and consulting services in the South Florida community and internationally."
Garcia’s firm has been serving the Coral Gables community for over 35 years and specializes in tax, accounting, and forensic litigation support.
Santa María was previously the lead tax and litigation support partner with Verdeja De Armas Trujillo LLP. He has more than 20 years of experience providing tax, accounting and consulting services to individuals and businesses in South Florida. He serves clients in different industry groups including manufacturing, distribution, medical, real estate and aviation. He worked with Garcia previously after leaving PwC in 2009.
“I am excited to re-join Paul's team,” Santa María said in a statement. “I’ve known Paul as a good friend and colleague for more than 30 years and I’m very excited to partner with him to start our new firm. The added resources and expertise by joining forces with Paul will allow me to continue to service existing clients and allow me the opportunity to provide additional tax and consulting services during these uncertain times."
The firm intends to expand and hire professionals at various levels in the coming year both in the office and remotely.
