Firm Management
Wipfli Acquires Accounting Firm Howe, Riley & Howe
The top 20 accounting and consulting firm Wipfli has acquired New Hampshire-based Howe, Riley & Howe. The firm's partners and associates joined Wipfli effective January 1.
Jan. 02, 2019
The top 20 accounting and consulting firm Wipfli has acquired the New Hampshire-based accounting firm Howe, Riley & Howe. The firm’s partners and associates joined Wipfli effective January 1.
“The combination with Howe, Riley & Howe provides Wipfli with an opportunity to strengthen and expand our physical presence and our industry specialization model in New England. Further, Howe, Riley & Howe has a strong reputation for providing top-quality and innovative services to clients, which greatly complements Wipfli’s long history and dedication to exceptional client service. We are pleased to welcome the partners and associates of Howe, Riley & Howe to Wipfli and look forward to moving forward as one firm,” said Rick Dreher, managing partner of Wipfli.
“Change is occurring at a strong pace for our clients and Howe, Riley & Howe has a long history of helping our clients navigate change to achieve success in the marketplace. This combination with Wipfli will enhance our ability to continue to meet and exceed the evolving needs of our clients,” said Alison Perella, co-managing partner of Howe, Riley & Howe. “In addition, leveraging Wipfli’s tremendous breadth and depth of consulting experience, this combination will provide our professionals with access to a larger resource pool of diverse experience to draw upon as necessary for our clients.”
Howe, Riley & Howe’s Co-Managing Partner Lance Turgeon added, “While we are looking forward to the greater depth of consulting services and added value this combination will bring to our client relationships, we are equally excited for what this combination will mean for our staff and our ability to continue to attract top talent in New Hampshire. Joining with Wipfli, we will be able to offer our staff expanded training and professional development opportunities in more specialized areas, helping them to continue to progress as even stronger professionals in the industry.”
Allan D. Koltin, CEO of Koltin Consulting Group, who advised both firms on the merger commented, “Howe, Riley & Howe brings a wealth of talent and an exceptional client base to Wipfli. They are a firm that other acquirers were interested in, but they loved the entrepreneurial culture of Wipfli as well as being the foundation firm in New Hampshire. For Wipfli, this combination fits perfectly with Macpage (Wipfli’s deal earlier this year in Portland, Maine) and will give them the depth and resources to compete for clients of all sizes in the region. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Wipfli continue its expansion in the New England market in 2019.” Founded in 1950, Howe, Riley & Howe is a certified public accounting firm based in New Hampshire, with offices in Portsmouth and Bedford (headquarters). Howe, Riley & Howe provides accounting, assurance and tax services to hundreds of privately held businesses and enterprises, nonprofit organizations and entrepreneurs across New Hampshire and New England. As part of this combination, 50 Howe, Riley & Howe associates, including six partners, have joined Wipfli. The combined firm will have more than 2,200 associates and 47 office locations across the United States and India.