Accounting Firm MarksNelson Integrates Technology Firm into Practice

The accounting and advisory firm MarksNelson is acquiring technology company Blue Ocean Consulting (BOC). The integration of BOC’s services is expected to help MarksNelson’s clients craft technology solutions to solve problems and drive growth. MarksNelson is the 17th largest accounting firm in the U.S. and the largest locally-owned firm in Kansas City.

Although its 22 staff members have become MarksNelson employees, Blue Ocean Consulting will retain its name until it moves into MarksNelson’s Kansas City, MO, offices in summer 2018. Currently housed in Lenexa, KS, BOC is known for leveraging technology and software development to make businesses smarter, leaner, faster and more profitable.

“Technology is transforming the way accounting firms do business,” says MarksNelson Managing Partner Mark Radetic. “Bringing two known brands in our respective fields together gives us the tools to better serve our clients by providing more comprehensive, innovative offerings. The merger of accounting and technology in one firm gives us the ability to lead the way into the future and meet our clients’ broader business needs.”

MarksNelson, which was included on this year’s Inc. 5000 list, has been named one of the nation’s fastest-growing accounting firms for the past three years. It also earned a 2017 Inavero’s Best of Accounting™ Award for Client Service.

“We are constantly looking for opportunities to add services that allow our clients to be more profitable, efficient and productive,” says Radetic. “Technology is driving change in all aspects of business and we recognize the tremendous value we can bring to MarksNelson clients by having technology expertise on staff.”

MarksNelson’s managing partner says that BOC is a particularly good match for his firm because both serve a high volume of clients in the manufacturing, construction and economic development fields as well as small and medium-size enterprises (SME’s).

In addition, the two firms take pride that their employees are forward-thinkers, problem-solvers and visionaries. Both encourage their staffs to be innovative, think differently, and dig deeper to discover untapped potential that will push a business forward.

“MarksNelson is highly rated nationally for their performance among CPA firms and growth. We have experienced a similar trajectory,” says BOC President Scott Carson, who took the helm at the 22-year-old firm in 2015 and oversaw a 35 percent revenue increase that year.

“We share a belief in empowering and developing our employees. By bringing two strong Kansas City brands together, we will provide more opportunities for our employees and better serve both firms’ clients.”

BOC provides digital transformation consulting services and creates custom software and technology solutions for business. Among its services are technology consulting, software development, data analytics, design and UX, and Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT).

MarksNelson is Kansas City’s largest locally owned accounting firm with 154 employees prior to acquiring BOC. Currently a $23 million revenue firm, MarksNelson will increase its revenue by 20 percent thanks to the acquisition of BOC.