The certified public accounting firms of Warren, Averett, Kimbrough & Marino, LLC, Wilson, Price, Barranco, Blankenship & Billingsley, P.C. and O’Sullivan Creel, LLP are pleased to announce the joining of their firms effective January 1, 2012. This strategic move takes three significant firms, each a prominent provider in their respective markets, and creates one firm offering expanded reach and resources, additional service solutions and strengthened depth of expertise, with the same level of personal client service. With more than 550 team members and 12 offices spanning from the Tennessee Valley to the Gulf of Mexico, the combined firm of Warren Averett, LLC will rank among the top 35 firms in the nation and within the top 5 largest southeastern firms.
Organizational Structure
The combined firms will operate under the holding company of Warren Averett, LLC. James W. Cunningham, CPA, will serve as CEO of Warren Averett, LLC and continue to serve as CEO and Managing Member of Warren, Averett, Kimbrough & Marino. Montgomery, Ala., based Wilson Price will operate as Warren Averett Wilson Price with Charles A. Jordan, CPA, and Richard M. Stabler, CPA, maintaining their roles as Co-managing Members. O’Sullivan Creel, LLP, with six offices spreading from Baldwin County, Ala., to Okaloosa County, Fla., will operate as Warren Averett O’Sullivan Creel with Mort O’Sullivan, CPA, continuing as Managing Member.
“The strategic move to combine Alabama’s largest firm, one of Montgomery’s most prestigious firms and a significant, regional Gulf Coast firm creates tremendous opportunity for all involved,†said Jim Cunningham, Warren Averett’s CEO. “The joint resources and expertise resulting from this move will enable us to draw from the best and brightest talent and experience to effectively serve each client.â€
“All three firms are members of The Leading Edge Alliance, and through that affiliation, we have grown to respect one another and were encouraged by our similarities in our culture, clients and commitment to client service,†said Mort O’Sullivan, O’Sullivan Creel’s Managing Member. “I’ve been in this profession for 38 years and I’ve not seen anything as exciting as what we are undertaking today.â€
“When we look at the state of the profession, we recognize that many of our clients are becoming more complex and sophisticated. Many are multi-national, multi-state and multi-lines of business, which calls for specialized, more strategic accounting services. This merger allows us to provide the best of these services,†said Richard Stabler, Co-managing Member for Warren Averett Wilson Price.
“The wonderful part about bringing three high quality firms together is that we’ll be able to adopt the best practices of three great firms to make an even better firm,†said Chuck Jordan, Co-managing Member for Warren Averett Wilson Price.
Each firm will offer clients depth and experience in a variety of industries including Healthcare, Manufacturing, Financial Services, Construction, Aerospace and Defense, Lifescience and Technology, Public Sector and Real Estate. The collaboration will also grow services offered in each market beyond audit and tax, including wealth management, staffing and recruiting, technology consulting and outsourcing, and retirement plan administration and investments. Office locations include Birmingham, Huntsville, Montgomery, Cullman, Anniston, Auburn, Foley and Fairhope, Ala., and Pensacola, Fort Walton Beach, Destin, and Crestview, Fla.
To learn more about our Firm visit www.warrenaverett.com.
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About Warren, Averett, Kimbrough & Marino, LLC
A recognized leader in the accounting and business consulting profession since 1972, Warren Averett is ranked among the top 100 CPA firms in the United States and within the top 15 Southeastern firms. With offices in Birmingham, Huntsville, Cullman and Anniston, and affiliate offices in Auburn, Dallas and Houston, Warren Averett serves both public and privately-held businesses in a variety of industries, offering clients comprehensive and collaborative tax, accounting, assurance, estate, wealth management, retirement plan, payroll, human resources, recruiting and staffing services.
About Wilson Price
Wilson Price is one of the largest independent accounting firms in Central Alabama, with over 150 professional and administrative team members at its main office in Montgomery, Ala. The firm was established in 1957 and currently provides accounting, consulting services and a wide array of other financial services to its clients throughout the Southeast. Wilson Price is registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board and is a member of the Private Companies Practice Section of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
About O’Sullivan Creel, LLP
O’Sullivan Creel, LLP, with offices in Pensacola, Destin, Fort Walton, Crestview (Fla.), Foley and Fairhope (Ala.), is a full-service accounting and consulting firm with over 160 professional and administrative team members. The firm is ranked within the top 10 Gulf Coast firms and has been named one of Florida Trend’s “Best Places to Work.†The firm provides an integrated approach to financial services, including audit and accounting, business consulting, employee benefits consulting and plan administration, information technology, tax planning and preparation, and wealth management.