“This market expansion fits perfectly into our overall strategic growth plan, and the resulting synergies will be meaningful for all parties,” Chris Bellamy, CEO of Cleveland-based Cohen & Co., said in a press release. “Szymkowiak and PEAR are entrepreneurial at their core with deep business advisory expertise. We are excited to welcome such great talent to our firm—including their current local leadership, who will remain firmly in place and highly active in the market. We look forward to our continued investment in this region, from a people, community and client perspective.”

Founded in 2001 by Managing Partner Dennis Szymkowiak, the firm bearing his name focuses on tax, assurance, and advisory services for closely held and private equity-owned companies, high-net-worth individuals, and family offices. The firm also provides outsourced corporate tax and accounting advisory services. 

“This transaction was driven by the desire for a longer-term succession plan for our firm,” Szymkowiak said. “We are joining a team that, together, will be the firm for tax, assurance, and business consulting work for private companies and high-net-worth individuals in our region. This move ensures our firm’s future success and positions us as a highly attractive alternative to other accounting firms in our market and beyond.”

Kristine Bly, in partnership with Szymkowiak, founded PEAR in 2022. With a team that has decades of previous experience working as government tax auditors, the tax consulting firm specializes in state residency services and audit defense for ultra-high-net-worth individuals.

“PEAR’s tax consulting work complements much of Cohen & Co.’s existing tax advisory function, so we will amplify each other’s value to a larger group of clients,” Bly said. “We are also well-aligned on the importance of investing in technology and see it as a key differentiator for us going forward.”  

Koltin Consulting Group served as an advisor to Cohen & Co. on this transaction, which is the second acquisition for the firm this year. The first occurred in March 2023 when Cohen & Co. expanded to Philadelphia with the acquisition of BBD’s Investment Management Group. That transaction added 40 team members focused on investment industry audit and tax.

“Cohen continues to be a destination place for young talent,” said Allan Koltin, CEO of Koltin Consulting Group. “The firm is blessed to have great leadership and a culture of growth and rapid advancement for their people. I’ve watched this firm for over 40 years and their values and mission have never changed—grow your people and grow your clients and everything else will follow.”