Doeren Mayhew in Troy, the 60th largest U.S. certified public accounting and advisory firm, announced it has merged with Grand Rapids-based accounting firm Beene Garter as of Jan. 1, 2022. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
The merger will allow each firm to bolster their existing service line offerings and industry expertise, while also broadening technical and industry capabilities beyond their current reach. Both firms share competencies in audit and domestic tax, in addition to specializing in the manufacturing, wholesale and distribution, construction, and non-profit industries.
Founded in 1949, Beene Garter is west Michigan’s largest independently owned accounting firm. Recently, the firm was ranked as No. 226 on INSIDE Public Accounting’s annual list of the nation’s largest firms in terms of revenue.
Doeren Mayhew, founded in 1932, will expand its presence to the west Michigan market through the addition of Beene Garter’s single Grand Rapids office, and the firm’s 15 partners and 100-plus employees, all of whom will become Doeren Mayhew employees.
The office will continue to operate and serve clients as normal under the name Beene Garter, A Doeren Mayhew Firm, for a transitional period until it takes on the Doeren Mayhew name exclusively.
“Doeren Mayhew is making strategic choices to grow in the right markets, with the right partners to fuel our ambitious five-year growth plan. This acquisition does just that,” says Chad Anschuetz, managing shareholder and chairman of Doeren Mayhew. “Beene Garter is a perfect fit for us. The firm brings deep industry experience and technical expertise complementary to ours, along with a rich history and strong roots in the West Michigan market.”
Doeren Mayhew plans to capitalize on Beene Garter’s food and agribusiness knowledge, and state and local tax expertise, plus its Sage Intacct, third-party retirement plan administration and payroll practices.
Beene Garter clients will benefit from an expanded suite of non-traditional CPA services Doeren Mayhew offers in areas such as investment banking, real estate advisory, cybersecurity, SOC reporting, and international advisory, as well as a reach beyond the local region to support their own expansion efforts.
“We’ve always been focused on serving our clients and helping them meet their business goals. I’m proud of the firm we’ve built, and Doeren Mayhew is the right firm to partner with for our future and our clients. We can continue the close relationships we have with our clients while providing them greater access to resources and services. It’s all about mutual success,”says Thomas Rosenbach, Beene Garter’s managing partner.
With more than 500 people in nine offices in Michigan, Texas, Florida, North Carolina, and Europe, the consolidation makes Doeren Mayhew the 4th largest Michigan-based CPA firm and propels it closer to the top 50 spot in the United States. Furthermore, consolidating the two firms’ extensive construction practices is expected to boost its existing No. 24 ranking amongst the Top Construction Accounting Firms in the nation.
In November 2021, Doeren Mayhew announced the acquisition of Darlene Plumly CPAs to enhance its Houston office growth.
