Aprio Buys Midwest Accounting Firm with Affiliated $1.98B Wealth Business

Core Insights - Aprio, an Atlanta-based business advisory and accounting firm, is expanding its wealth management division through the acquisition of Mize CPAs, which specializes in servicing McDonald's franchise owners [1][2] - The acquisition includes Prism Financial Group, Mize's affiliated wealth management firm, which will increase Aprio's assets under management to over $5 billion [2] - The deal will add new offices in Topeka and Overland Park, Kansas, along with 20 partners and over 300 employees, as part of Aprio's broader Midwest expansion strategy [3] Company Overview - Mize CPAs, founded in 1956, is the largest accounting and payroll provider for McDonald's franchisees and offers services nationwide [4] - Aprio, established in 1952 and rebranded in 2015, is one of the largest accounting firms in Atlanta and the U.S., providing advisory, tax, and private client services globally [5] Leadership Changes - Following the acquisition, Mize Managing Partner James Hilbert and Prism Managing Partner Tim Shmidt will join Aprio as partners, with Bryan Phillips taking on the role of McDonald's owner/operator market leader [6] Strategic Investments - In July 2024, Aprio received a strategic investment from Charlesbank Capital Partners, aimed at enhancing the firm's growth through organic means and mergers and acquisitions [6][7]