Baker Tilly combining with Squar Milner

Leading accounting and advisory firm Baker Tilly US and Squar Milner, one of the largest California-based independent accounting firms, announced they will be combining their firms on November 1. The combined firm will retain the name Baker Tilly US.

“We are creating a new organization with substantial scale, a true combination of two leading advisory CPA firms that are forward-thinking and future-leaning,” said Baker Tilly CEO Alan Whitman.

California’s economy is the fifth largest in the world. Squar Milner has eight California locations – San Diego, three offices in the Silicon Valley and the Bay area, three offices surrounding Los Angeles and their headquarters in Orange County.

In the past 24 months, Baker Tilly expanded into Texas and bolstered its capabilities with several acquisitions in data analytics, municipal advisory, global forensic accounting, valuation and litigation services, and outsourced accounting.

The new Baker Tilly will have a presence in many of the world’s leading financial centers, including New York, London, San Francisco, Los Angeles and Chicago.

Additionally, Baker Tilly US is the largest member of the Baker Tilly network, the world’s 10th largest global network of independent accounting and business services firms. Combined, Baker Tilly will have 4,300 professionals.

“We are still very much dedicated to serving our California communities, and we are delighted to have the coast-to-coast and global advantage,” said Squar Milner managing partner Stephen Milner.

At a June 2020 meeting of major accounting firms, AICPA CEO Barry Melancon commented on the strength of the profession and benefit to clients when larger diversified firms differentiate their expertise and embrace technology.

“The accounting profession continues to be an example of resiliency, even in our current economic environment,” he said, “maintaining a strong commitment to clients, employees, students and the public interest.”