M&A roundup: Baker Tilly, Mugford expand

February 3, 2022 12:31 PM

Baker Tilly acquired Orchestrate Healthcare; and Mugford & DiBella merged in Daigle, Smith & Chubet.

FLORIDA: Baker Tilly acquires Orchestrate Healthcare

Baker Tilly

Details: Baker Tilly US LLP, a Top 20 Firm based in Chicago, is buying Orchestrate Healthcare, a health care IT professional services and consulting firm in West Palm Beach, Florida, expanding the firm’s technology services for health clients, effective March 1.

The deal will enable the firm to help clients with electronic medical record systems and other health care technology. It comes at a time when many health care providers are coming under pressure during the pandemic to respond with limited staff to the latest outbreaks, while also dealing with longstanding issues in coordinating payments with insurers and patients. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Orchestrate Healthcare earned $20 million in revenue for the fiscal year ended Dec. 31, 2021, while Baker Tilly earned approximately $1 billion in combined revenue across its consulting, tax and assurance practice, for the year ending May 31, 2021. Baker Tilly ranked No. 12 on Accounting Today’s 2021 list of the Top 100 Firms. The firm has 6,000 professionals, including 500 partners, while Orchestrate has 120 professionals but isn’t structured as a partnership. However, Orchestrate Healthcare president Charlie Cook will be joining Baker Tilly as a partner.

“This is a powerful combination of strategic alignment and complementary solutions that will allow us to provide our clients and our team members with more across the board,” Cook said in a statement Thursday. “Baker Tilly has it all: a forward-thinking vision and a focus on talent.”

Last November, Baker Tilly acquired The Compliance Group, a nationwide mortgage compliance and quality control organization based in Carlsbad, California, as well as the MFA Companies, a Boston-based accounting and advisory firm. Earlier in the year, the firm acquired Arnett Carbis Toothman LLP in West Virginia, as well as AcctTwo, a Houston-based technology and services company, along with Margolin, Winer & Evens, a Regional Leader firm in New York.

“We are continuing to invest heavily in the digital space,” said Baker Tilly Consulting managing partner Angela MacPhee in a statement. “With this combination, Baker Tilly can deliver a holistic approach for healthcare providers so they can administer the best patient care while controlling costs and adopting new business models.”

CONNECTICUT: Mugford & DiBella merges in Daigle, Smith & Chubet

Mugford & DiBella building

Courtesy of Mugford & DiBella

Details: Mugford & DiBella LLC, a firm in New Britain, Connecticut, is adding Daigle, Smith & Chubet LLC, a firm based in Southington, Connecticut, expanding its tax, accounting and advisory services.

As part of the deal, partner Dan Daigle and principal Lucia Chubet, along with bookkeeper Sally Daigle and office manager Pat Beidler, will join the combined firm, for a total headcount of 12 (including three partners ) at Mugford.

“We are excited about this merger and welcome Dan and Lucia and their staff to our team,” said Mugford managing partner Brian DiBella in a statement Thursday. “We share the same professional values and look forward to working with our new team members and clients.”

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Last October, Mugford acquired another Connecticut firm, Fasulo & Albini, in the Plantsville neighborhood of Southington. Mugford & DiBella earned approximately $1.2 million in annual revenue before the latest acquisition and had two partners and eight staffers.