Hunton’s Accounting Firm Mergers and Acquisitions practice brings together a team with decades of experience representing the accounting profession in litigation, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)  investigations and other regulatory matters, and general risk management, and a corporate M&A team that has advised clients on virtually every form of corporate transaction, including broad experience in connection with private equity investments and joint ventures.

We represent investors, buyers, and sellers in the accounting space on private equity investments, asset transfers, corporate mergers, acquisitions and dispositions.

We have particular experience in establishing accounting firm alternative practice structures and enabling outside investment in those structures.  Of the four private equity investments in top 100 accounting firm alternative practice structures in 2021 and 2022, our team represented either the private equity sponsor or the accounting firm in three of those transactions.  Hunton lawyers have deep experience in navigating the state regulatory requirements applicable to such transactions, as well as the application of the auditor independence rules in alternative practice structures.  Our team regularly interacts with the SEC and state regulators as needed in connection with transactions for our clients.

Our attorneys are experienced in each stage of a transaction, including deal structuring, drafting, negotiations, documentation, corporate governance, closing and integration. We assist clients with diligence, confidentiality agreements, offers and term sheets, bid submission, advice in specialty areas of law (such as securities, real estate, antitrust, litigation, tax, executive compensation, employee benefits and ERISA) and more.  We understand and are adept at advising on key transaction terms unique to a human capital business.

Our significant capability in mergers and acquisitions, combined with our in-depth grasp of the accounting firm regulatory environment, positions our team to provide strategic advice and other fundamental representation on accounting firm M&A matters.

• Represented Armanino LLP in connection with the formation of alternative practice structure and investment in nonattest business by Further Global.
• Represented CohnReznick LLP in connection with the formation of alternative practice structure and investment in nonattest business by Apax Partners LLP.
• Represented Cherry Bekaert in connection with the formation of alternative practice structure and strategic investment by Parthenon Capital.
• Represented New Mountain Capital in connection with its significant growth investment in the nonattest business of Grant Thornton.
• Represented Cohen & Company in connection with the formation of alternative practice structure and investment in nonattest business by Lovell Minnick Partners.
• Represented Citrin Cooperman Advisors in connection with agreement for a significant investment from funds managed by Blackstone.
• Represented Wipfli LLP in connection with the formation of alternative practice structure and investment in nonattest business by New Mountain Capital.
• Represented Fishman Block + Diamond, LLP in connection with its strategic combination with Cerity Partners.
• Represented Bain Capital in connection with its minority growth investment in Sikich LLC.
• Represented TowerBrook Capital Partners in connection with its investment in EisnerAmper.
• Represented Armanino Advisory, LLC in connection with its investments in the nonattest businesses of multiple regional accounting firms.
• Represented ZBS Partners in connection with the development of the Crete Professionals Alliance and its investments in the nonattest businesses of multiple regional accounting firms.
• Represented Trinity Hunt Partners in connection with the development of Springline Advisory Holdings, LLC and its investments in the nonattest businesses of multiple U.S. and international accounting firms.
• Represented F3 Partners LLC in connection with its investments in the nonattest businesses of multiple regional accounting firms.
• Represented Alpine Investors in connection with the development of the Ascend platform and its investments in the nonattest businesses of multiple regional accounting firms.
• Represented Creative Planning LLC, one of the largest Registered Investment Advisors in the country, in connection with its acquisition of the nonattest business of BerganKDV.
• Represented Trinity Hunt Partners in connection with its strategic investment in the advisory business of MarksNelson.
• Represented Smith + Howard in connection with the formation of alternative practice structure and strategic investment by Broad Sky Partners.
• Represented Lightyear Capital in connection with its acquisition of assets from and new venture with Schellman & Company, LLC.
• Represented Mazars USA in connection with its acquisition by Forvis and formation of Forvis Mazars network.
• Represented Summit Partners in connection with its strategic growth investment in UHY.
• Represented Copley Equity Partners in connection with its strategic investment in the nonattest business of ATA Advisory, LLC.
• Represented Flexpoint Ford in connection with its strategic growth investment in Elliott Davis LLC.
• Represented 360 Advanced in connection with minority growth investment by Bregal Sagemount.
• Represented Citrin Cooperman Advisors in connection with its acquisition of the nonattest business of Berdon LLP.
• Represented A-LIGN Compliance and Security in connection with investments by FTV Capital and Warburg Pincus.
• Represented a top 25 accounting firm operating in an alternative practice structure on downstream M&A strategy.