Top 40 accounting firm Rehmann is expanding in Florida by combining with Vero Beach-based CPA firm Kmetz, Elwell, Graham & Associates (KEGA), effective June 1.
Financial terms of the deal weren’t disclosed. KEGA will assume the Rehmann name and continue operating at its current location, which is a short distance from Rehmann’s Vero Beach office, with plans to combine offices in the future to better serve clients and streamline operations.
“Just like Rehmann, KEGA believes in providing exceptional support to its clients and opportunities for its associates,” Stacie Kwaiser, CEO of Troy, MI-based Rehmann, said in a statement. “With values like integrity and respect, community, and stewardship, KEGA fits perfectly with Rehmann’s people-first culture.”
Founded in 1977, KEGA offers a fully integrated line of tax, accounting, and audit services. Rehmann said the proximity of the two offices affords the combined entity with a stronger presence in Florida’s Treasure Coast market, bringing additional value and opportunity to its wealth management practice, among others.
KEGA’s associates and management team will remain with the firm, except for Senior Partner Michael Kmetz, whose planned retirement after 46 years with the firm is coinciding with the business combination.
“I’ve always lived by the 3 Cs—communication, consistency, and caring—and have tried to convey those values to incoming partners and staff,” Kmetz said. “While I’m sorry to be missing this exciting transition, I know that KEGA and our clients will be in great hands. Our clients are gaining access to an even deeper bench of exceptional associates, and our associates will benefit from the expanded training Rehmann’s dedicated learning and development team can provide. The combination creates upward opportunities for everyone.”
KEGA Managing Partner Brian Elwell added, “The industry faces challenges, especially for a small, local firm. We found we needed the resources of a larger group. Rehmann offers the service lines that clients are looking for, such as international tax, technology, wealth management, and cybersecurity, among others. Now our clients can benefit from those increased resources.”
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