Mayer Hoffman McCann expands in Florida

Leawood-based Mayer Hoffman McCann P.C. has acquired part of Lewis, Birch & Ricardo LLC to expand its presence in the Tampa Bay area of Florida.

Financial terms of the acquisition, which primarily involves the audit practice of Lewis, Birch, were not disclosed.

In a related transaction, CBIZ has purchased the tax return preparation business and other remaining practices of Lewis, Birch. CBIZ works closely with Mayer Hoffman McCann although the two firms are separate, independent companies. Cleveland-based CBIZ is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange.

The Florida acquisitions were completed on Feb. 1.

Lewis, Birch was formed in 1990 and provided a full range of accounting, tax and consulting services. The firm has 58 employees and generated about $10 million in revenue in 2013, according to a statement on the sale.

All eight owners of Lewis, Birch will become shareholders in Mayer Hoffman McCann.

Mayer Hoffman McCann, headquartered at 11440 Tomahawk Creek Parkway, was founded in 1954. It has 33 offices nationwide, including Florida locations in Miami, Boca Raton, Tampa and Clearwater, and more than 270 shareholders. The certified public accounting firm focuses on business, not-for-profit and government agency work, offering financial statement audits, employee benefit plan audits and other services.

Mayer Hoffman McCann and CBIZ have a combined staff of about 200 audit and tax professionals at the Leawood headquarters and about 2,100 nationwide.

Bill Hancock, president of Mayer Hoffman McCann, said Monday the purchase of Lewis, Birch “continues our very strong presence in Tampa and the Tampa Bay area and adds to our growth in the important Florida market.”

He also said the Florida firm brings expertise that “complements and bolsters our presence, especially in the not-for-profit industry.”

This story was originally published February 4, 2014 at 11:00 AM with the headline "Mayer Hoffman McCann expands in Florida."