Elevate Announces Strategic Investment in Gonzalez Advisors, Establishing Presence in Southern California and Advancing National Expansion Strategy [Accessibility Statement] Skip NavigationLOS ANGELES, Feb. 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Elevate, a national accounting and advisory platform backed by long-term growth capital, today announced a strategic investment in Gonzalez Advisors, a tax and advisory firm in Orange County led by Managing Partner John Gonzalez.Gonzalez Advisors builds upon the longstanding repu ...

UK-based accountancy and advisory practice Azets has expanded its senior team by appointing Tina Warhurst as corporate tax director in its Manchester office. Warhurst will focus on supporting Azets’ growing base of businesses across the North West, drawing on a career largely spent in complex corporate tax compliance and governance. Azets Manchester office managing partner Graham Rigby said: “With ever evolving and complex UK tax regulations being introduced, the level of compliance facing companies con ...

Core Insights - Richey May has acquired Wagner, Kaplan, Duys & Wood (WKDW), a tax and advisory firm based in Rockville, Maryland, with the financial terms of the deal undisclosed [1] - The acquisition is part of Richey May's strategy to build a national platform by integrating regional and specialist practices, focusing on specialization, technology-enabled delivery, and a "people-first culture" [2] - WKDW clients will continue to work with their existing teams while gaining access to Richey May's broader resources and technical capabilities [2] Company Overview - Richey May, founded in 1985, offers services including audit, assurance, business advisory, cybersecurity, tax, and technology [3] - The company specializes in sectors such as mortgage banking, alternative investments, real estate, construction, and media [4] Advisory Insights - WKDW was advised on the transaction by Koltin Consulting Group, with CEO Allan D. Koltin highlighting WKDW as a leading CPA and advisory firm in the greater DC market [3] - The combination of WKDW and Richey May is expected to provide significant strategic advantages and growth opportunities for both firms, with expectations of further high-performing firms merging with Richey May in the future [3]

Core Insights - Blue & Co., a US-based accounting and advisory firm, has acquired Texas-based D & Co., effective February 1, 2026, enhancing its service offerings in healthcare reimbursement consulting [1] - The acquisition will integrate D & Co. into Blue & Co., allowing it to maintain operations in Lubbock, Dallas, Fort Worth, and Waco [1] Employee Integration - The transaction will bring over 40 employees from D & Co. into Blue & Co., expanding capabilities in healthcare reimbursement, hospital and clinical consulting, healthcare audits, projections, and financial advisory services [2] - Key leaders from D & Co. will join Blue & Co. as directors, including Brent Fuller, Tommy Davis, Steven Thummel, Andrew Castillo, Shonna Cannaday, and Aaron Milligan [2] Leadership Expertise - Brent Fuller has over 30 years of experience in Medicare reimbursement, advising various healthcare providers [3] - Tommy Davis has more than 25 years in accounting and consulting, primarily focused on healthcare [3] - Steven Thummel has over 23 years in healthcare auditing for hospitals and long-term care facilities [3] - Andrew Castillo has upwards of 22 years in audit and consulting across multiple sectors, including healthcare [4] - Shonna Cannaday offers over 20 years of accounting experience, with 19 years in healthcare reimbursement [4] - Aaron Milligan has spent more than 19 years at D & Co., specializing in financial audits and reporting [4] Strategic Fit and Vision - Blue & Co. managing director Brad Shaw emphasized a long-standing relationship with D & Co. and the shared belief in prioritizing people and delivering high-quality service [5] - D & Co. Partner Tommy Davis highlighted that the acquisition will enhance service offerings while maintaining an exceptional work culture for their teams [5]

Core Viewpoint - PrimeGlobal has appointed Oliver Grosse-Brauckmann as the new regional executive director for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, effective from February 1, 2026, to support member companies and implement a new long-term strategy across the EMEA region [1][2]. Group 1: Appointment Details - Oliver Grosse-Brauckmann's appointment reflects the growing momentum behind PrimeGlobal's strategic direction [2]. - Grosse-Brauckmann has extensive international leadership experience across EMEA, Asia, and Oceania, and has held senior positions at Nexia and PKF networks [2]. - He succeeds Thierry Delvaux, who served as the executive director for EMEA since 2015 and will now focus on special projects [4]. Group 2: Strategic Focus - Grosse-Brauckmann aims to enhance cross-border collaboration, consistency, and quality while assisting member companies in delivering client solutions [3]. - The foundation of PrimeGlobal's strategy includes building capacity, driving new opportunities, and fostering a collaborative environment for member firms [4].

Core Insights - Grant Thornton UK has expanded its Advisory leadership team by promoting seven senior professionals to equity partners, enhancing its consulting capabilities [1][5] Group 1: Leadership Promotions - Rob Turner and Alasdair Grainger have been promoted to partners in the consulting division, with Turner overseeing Public Services Consulting and Grainger leading Energy Transition and Sustainability [1][2] - Tom Middleton and Joel Strange will jointly lead the Economic Consulting division, focusing on economic regulation and analysis [2][3] - Adam Hughes has become a partner in the Debt and Capital Advisory team, advising on capital structure and M&A deals [3] Group 2: Experience and Focus Areas - Emma Young and Ben Langford have been promoted to partner in Business Risk Services, concentrating on risk management and integrated assurance [3][4] - The new partners will broaden Grant Thornton UK's Advisory coverage in areas such as economic development and data-led decision support [4] Group 3: Strategic Objectives - The company aims to add 160 partners over the next two years as part of its strategy to enhance its Advisory offering [5] - Will McWilliams, head of Core Advisory, emphasized the growing demand for high-quality advisory support [5]

Core Viewpoint - Eric Miles has been appointed as the new CEO of Baker Tilly, succeeding Jeff Ferro, who will remain on the Baker Tilly Advisory Group and Board of Directors following the company's merger with Moss Adams in June last year [1][2]. Leadership Transition - The leadership change aims to enhance execution across the business, aligning strategy and daily operations to better meet client needs and support planned growth [1]. - Jeff Ferro expressed confidence in Eric Miles' leadership abilities, highlighting his extensive experience and understanding of client and employee needs as the firm evolves [3]. Eric Miles' Background - Eric Miles has a diverse background in public accounting, having started his career in 1997, and has experience in operations, compliance, accounting, IT, and fraud prevention [2]. - Prior to joining Baker Tilly, Miles led the consulting services organization at Moss Adams, covering over 50 practice areas, and later served as its CEO [3].

Moore Kingston Smith, an advisory, tax and audit practice, has made a number of senior appointments and promotions across its offices in the UK. Amar Shah has been appointed general practice partner at the Heathrow office. His work spans audit, tax and strategic advice for owner-managed businesses and larger groups including private equity-backed organisations. The company named John Williams as a partner in the Employment Tax Services team in the City office. He advises start-ups, public sector bodies ...

Core Insights - The PrimeGlobal World Summit 2025 gathered over 200 leaders from more than 100 accounting and advisory organizations across 50 nations to discuss innovation and technological advancements in the accounting sector [1] - A new five-year plan titled 'Transform to 2030: Ready for Business' was launched at the summit, focusing on transformation in technology, talent, and sustainability [1][3] Group 1: Event Overview - The summit was themed 'Transform Our Tomorrow' and took place in November in Bangkok, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and innovation in the accounting industry [1] - PrimeGlobal introduced a new international technology platform aimed at enhancing interaction and integration among its member firms [2] Group 2: Key Presentations - CEO Steve Heathcote highlighted the significance of transformation as both a challenge and an opportunity, aiming to create a shared vision for the future [3] - Fredrik Härén, a global speaker, encouraged attendees to question assumptions and leverage creativity for progress during his keynote address [3] - Ritbumroong Thanachart from MIND AI Southeast Asia presented on how AI is reshaping accounting through data management and automation [4] Group 3: Regional Focus and Expansion - PrimeGlobal operates in 23 countries within the Asia Pacific region and is recognized as the largest association in Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, and South Korea [5] - Pre-summit discussions centered on trade, investment, and advisory activities relevant to the Asia Pacific market [5] Group 4: Organizational Scale - PrimeGlobal comprises over 300 independent member organizations globally, collectively generating annual revenues of $6.4 billion and employing over 50,000 individuals [6] - The organization has a presence in more than 1,200 locations across 120 countries [6]

Core Insights - HLB has expanded its international network by adding HLB Ethiopia, enhancing its presence in East Africa and supporting organizations in Ethiopia [1][2] - HLB Ethiopia offers a range of services including audit, assurance, tax, and advisory, catering to various sectors [1] - The addition aligns with HLB's strategy to strengthen cooperation with firms in emerging markets and expand its global service reach [2] Company Strategy - HLB Ethiopia's managing partner emphasized the importance of local transformation alongside global reach, focusing on delivering impactful services in Ethiopia's evolving economy [2] - HLB International's chief growth officer highlighted Ethiopia's economic momentum, characterized by a large young workforce and its strategic position as a gateway to regional and global markets [3] - Establishing a local presence through HLB Ethiopia enables HLB to provide essential support for businesses to navigate risks and achieve sustainable growth [3] Network Overview - HLB International operates in 155 countries with a workforce of 51,948 professionals, indicating a robust global presence [3] - The network's name signifies its international scope and the distinct legal entities of its member firms [4]