Sikich acquires Halt, Buzas & Powell, expands into Washington, DC

19 December 2019 Consulting.us

Sikich, a Chicago-based national accounting and consulting firm, has acquired accounting and consulting firm Halt, Buzas & Powell. The acquisition expands Sikich’s footprint into the Washington, DC and Baltimore metro markets.

Founded in 1969, Halt, Buzas & Powell provides audit and assurance, tax, outsourced accounting, IT services, and business consulting to clients across industries. The firm’s business consulting offering includes budget development and review, cost containment and recapture, mergers and acquisitions, and succession planning.

The firm has a particular specialty in supporting not-for-profits and government contractors, and delivering outsourced CFO services to public charities and trade associations. Halt, Buzas & Powell has approximately 50 employees across offices in Alexandria, Virginia, and Crofton Maryland, and was named a top 25 CPA firm by Washingtonian Magazine.

Sickich’s acquisition expands the Chicago-headquartered firm into the Washington, DC region, while expanding its professional services capabilities. The national firm has approximately 900 employees in a dozen offices across the country, and offers a full suite of accounting, consulting, and technology services to private and public sector clients.

Sikich acquires Halt, Buzas & Powell, expands into Washington, DC

"Adding the talented HBP team will strengthen our accounting, tax and audit services and advance our growth across the country," Chris Geier, Sikich CEO, said. "HBP's expertise in not-for-profit accounting and their outsourced CFO services complement our team's strengths. With a presence in the Washington, DC area, we'll be well-positioned to provide valuable business services to more organizations on the East Coast."

HBP’s team of 50 professionals will continue working from their current offices. Managing partner Andy Powell and partner Marco Fernandes will join Sikich as partners. The deal is slated to close at the end of this month.

"The synergies between our firm and the Sikich team will allow us to bring new opportunities to our clients and employees," Powell said. "Much like our firm, Sikich places great emphasis on trust, integrity, and commitment to client success. We look forward to living out those values as part of the Sikich team."

The deal follows the recent acquisitions of Wisconsin-based accounting firm Freyberg, Hinkle, Ashland, Powers & Stowell; Illinois-based accounting firm Scanlan & Leo; and technology consultancy NexGen Consultants.