Withum Acquires Florida Accounting Firm Averett Warmus Durkee

The national accounting and business services firm WithumSmith+Brown, PC has acquired the central Florida firm of Averett Warmus Durkee, P.A. effective December 31, 2015. Averett’s staff of more than 100 partners and associates will merge into Withum, which is headquartered in Princeton, NJ and has 15 offices across the eastern seaboard and in the Cayman Islands.

Withum’s current Orlando, Florida office located at 189 South Orange Avenue will relocate to the current AWD office at 1417 East Concord Street, forming the largest CPA firm in Orlando.

“We have been seeking the right strategic partner to enhance our presence in the Orlando area, and we found the perfect match with AWD in terms of expertise, geographic location and culture,” says Bill Hagaman, CPA, CGMA, the acquiring firm’s managing partner and CEO. “Orlando and the Florida region are at the forefront of industries such as healthcare, financial services, real estate, timeshare, construction, technology and life sciences, aligning perfectly with Withum’s current niche practice areas.”

“We are excited about joining forces with WithumSmith+Brown,” says Jim Warmus, CEO of AWD. “The firm’s depth and breadth of resources will be invaluable to us in both serving existing clients and industries and bringing our service capabilities to new segments of the marketplace. Both firms share a commitment to personalized client service, the highest level of integrity, and nurturing uniquely innovative cultures, creating a natural fit between the two organizations.”

“We are very proud of what Averett Warmus Durkee accomplished. We look forward to continuing to provide our clients with exceptional service and our staff expanded opportunities as we join the Withum team,” stated Tom Durkee, a founding partner of AWD.

AWD provides accounting, audit, tax and consulting services to privately owned businesses, professional service firms, private investment partnerships, construction contractors, timeshare developers and owners associations, employee benefit plans, non-profit organizations, individuals and estates, and more.

Wendy Terry, a partner based in Withum’s current Orlando office, couldn’t agree more. “The AWD professionals pride themselves on providing clients with outstanding service, which is the commitment made to all Withum clients,” says Terry. “I look forward to working alongside my new colleagues while serving Central Florida’s vibrant business communities.”

Founded in 1974, WithumSmith+Brown, PC ranks in the top 30 largest public accounting and consulting firms in the country with offices in New Jersey (including its Princeton headquarters); New York City, NY; Orlando and West Palm Beach, FL; Philadelphia, PA; Boston, MA; Aspen, CO; and Cayman Island. For more information, please visit www.withum.com.