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Greenville, SC-based Johnstone, Graydon & Thompson CPA’s, P.A. and Columbia-based Scott and Company LLC have announced their intent to merge, effective at the close of business on June 30, 2013.
The leadership of both firms, each of which provides audit and assurance, tax and a range of consulting services to clients across the Southeast and internationally, voted to approve the merger. The combined firm will operate under the Scott and Company brand, and all members of each firm’s Greenville offices will combine in a single Greenville location. Scott and Company also operates a Columbia, SC office.
“Having known the Scott and Company leadership for years, we know that the client service commitment, professionalism and cultures of our two firms closely align,” said Phyllis P. Graydon, CPA and tax partner in Johnstone, Graydon & Thompson (JGT). “Combined, we will provide our growing client base and the greater Upstate communities with quality solutions delivered by an experienced local team.”
Johnstone, Graydon & Thompson founder Bill Johnstone, who has scaled back involvement in recent years as he approaches retirement, will continue in an active role, serving a limited number of clients and mentoring younger staff in the combined firm.
“Our desire has always been to provide exceptional assurance, tax and accounting services to clients," added Greg J. Thompson, CPA and audit partner in JGT. "As we explored this opportunity, we realized that our clients and our firms would greatly benefit from working as one. We look forward to contributing to the success of the combined firm, and are excited about the depth and talents that Scott and Company brings to the Upstate market."
Don Mobley, managing partner of Scott and Company, noted: "The Scott and Company organization is pleased and excited to join forces with our colleagues from Johnstone, Graydon & Thompson. We have known them for years through business and civic circles, and are excited to work together to continue providing clients with the exceptional service and technical expertise that the combined firm can provide."
With the merger, the combined firm will grow to approximately 15 professionals in its Upstate office and more than 30 statewide, providing a comprehensive range of tax, assurance, small business and specialized consulting services to clients based across the Southeast. With clients ranging from individuals to multi-state and international organizations, the firm will have particularly deep expertise in serving closely-held businesses and their owners, as well as leaders in the healthcare, real estate, government, manufacturing, professional services and non-profit arenas.
“The leadership of the combined firm recognizes the distinct value of community commitment and involvement, and our emphasis will continue to be on putting client and community needs and interests first,” noted Scott and Company’s S. Hunter Howard Jr. who has directed the Scott and Company’s Greenville office since its opening in 2010. “We envision a huge upside to meeting the growing demands of South Carolina’s middle market organizations and governments by providing highly skilled, highly efficient, personable and professional accountants and consultants at a value proposition that meets their needs. Combined, our superior depth and capabilities will make that value proposition even more attractive to many.”
Despite the change that is inherent in any merger, both Graydon and Thompson are adamant that clients will not experience service interruptions or inconvenience. “Not only are we creating significantly greater depth to serve the Upstate market, we are adding talented colleagues that we know from experience embrace a culture of ‘client service first, ’ ” Graydon noted.
Scott and Company (scottandco.com) is an independent member of the BDO Seidman Alliance, providing talent and resources to clients through a network of thousands of skilled professionals, 400 independent alliance firm locations domestically, and in more than 100 countries around the globe.
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