Advisory
Eide Bailly to Merge with Wipfli
Combined, the firms will rank in top 15 firms in U.S with more than 41 offices, 2,300 staff, 70,000 clients and annual revenues over $314 million.
Jan. 07, 2012
January 6, 2012—Eide Bailly LLP and Wipfli LLP, both among the largest accounting and consulting firms in the country, have announced plans to merge their professional practices effective June 1, 2012. The move is pending approval by reglators.
Under the new name EB Wipfli LLP, it will rank among the nation’s top 15 accounting firms, with annual revenues greater than $314 million. When combined, the firm have 41 offices in the U.S. and India, serving more than 70,000 clients. Their core services will continue to focus on wa broad range of audit, tax, accounting, consulting, and professional advisory services to public and private companies.
In a joint statement, Jerry Topp, Managing Partner/CEO of Eide Bailly, and Rick Dreher, Managing Partner/CEO of Wipfli, said, “Together, our firms will have the depth of resources necessary to help our clients meet their future challenges and leverage future opportunities. We are excited about what this merger will mean for our clients our associates and our partners.” Topp will serve as Chairman of the merged firm.
“We are proud to join forces with a firm of similar size, scope, culture and service philosophy,” Topp said. “Eide Bailly and Wipfli are both committed to offering our clients top-quality service and customized solutions to help them thrive, and to providing our staff with a positive culture and exciting career opportunities.”
Dreher, who will serve as the Managing Partner/CEO of the merged firm, said, “We have forged mutual respect and a strong relationship with Eide Bailly over the years, and feel this is an outstanding opportunity to combine our collective talents and strengths to enhance the value we bring to our clients, associates and the communities we serve.”
The new firm will have a staff of 2,327 associates, including the firm’s 301 partners. Among the combined firm’s more noteworthy strengths, its national wealth management practice will rank as one of the largest in the accounting profession with nearly $3 billion in assets under management.