Aprio Combines with Leading North Carolina Accounting Firm, LBA Haynes Strand

Combination Accelerates Firms’ National Expansion and Creates Foothold in Carolinas

Contact: Kayla Harris
770-845-8515 or kayla.harris@aprio.com

ATLANTA – December 19, 2019 – Aprio, LLP, a nationally recognized, CPA-led business advisory firm, announced today that it has combined with LBA Haynes Strand, LLC, a leading accounting firm in North Carolina. The combination of Aprio’s comprehensive service offerings with LBA Haynes Strand’s deep presence in the strategic Carolinas market creates tremendous value for clients, the business and team members.

Nearly 70 LBA Haynes Strand team members across five North Carolina offices – Charlotte, Greensboro, Mt. Airy, Winston Salem and Asheboro – joined Aprio, including 13 partners.

This combination provides the opportunity to scale LBA Haynes Strand’s existing Enterprise Risk Management, Capital Advisors and Dental practices nationally, while offering LBA Haynes Strand’s clients access to greater specialty services through Aprio, including R&D Tax Credit Services, State and Local Tax, Transaction Advisory Services, Information Assurance, Business Technology Consulting Services, Data & Analytics, Wealth Management and International Tax.

While expanding Aprio’s footprint in the Carolinas, this combination also strategically expands Aprio’s established industry specializations in manufacturing and distribution, real estate, technology and education.

“The addition of the LBA Haynes Strand team expands Aprio’s technical depth and expertise which will enable us to better help our clients navigate complex business challenges and achieve their growth and profitability goals,” said Richard Kopelman, CEO and managing partner at Aprio. “For more than 30 years, LBA Haynes Stand has served as a trusted advisor to businesses across North Carolina and we’re excited to welcome the LBA Haynes Strand team to Aprio.”

LBA Haynes Strand CEO John Bly will serve as Aprio’s Regional Managing Partner of the Carolinas.

“In today’s business environment, our clients have a need for more sophisticated and specialized tax and consulting services,” Bly said. “By joining Aprio, we gain access to more service offerings and resources that will benefit both clients and team members.”

As part of Aprio, LBA Haynes Strand team members will benefit from a larger firm with a national presence that can accelerate business growth and offer new opportunities for personal development and advancement. Aprio is regularly featured in top workplace lists and is a top-ranked CPA firm on Glassdoor, ranking 4.8 out of 5.

All former LBA Haynes Strand partners and team members will continue to operate from their North Carolina offices as Aprio.

“There are tremendous synergies between Aprio and LBA Haynes Strand,” said Jeff Kapelus, President of Capstone Search Solutions, the advisor to both firms on this transaction. “Aprio and LBA Haynes Strand each share strong leadership, people-centric cultures, a focus on innovation and a passion for client service and responsiveness that will undoubtedly make this combination a success for team members and clients alike.”

Since 2013, Aprio has combined with seven strategically chosen firms as part of their initiative focusing on targeted expansion, and the firm plans to continue to make strategic combinations in the years ahead.

For more information about Aprio, visit aprio.com.

About Aprio
Aprio is a premier full-service, CPA-led business advisory firm based in Atlanta, Georgia, that advises clients and associates on how to achieve what’s next. Aprio’s associates work as integrated teams across advisory, assurance, tax, cloud accounting solutions and private client services, bringing the best thinking and personal commitment to each client. Across practices, Aprio brings together proven expertise, deep understanding and strategic foresight for industries including Manufacturing and Distribution; Nonprofit and Education; Professional Services; Real Estate and Construction; Restaurant, Franchise & Hospitality; and Technology and Biosciences. In 65 years, Aprio has grown to over 500 employees. To serve clients wherever life or business may take them, Aprio’s teams speak more than 60 languages and work with clients in over 40 countries. In addition to its Atlanta headquarters, and the newly added LBA Haynes Strand North Carolina offices, Aprio also operates in Birmingham, Ala.; and Sarasota, Fla. For more, visit https://aprio.com.

About LBA Haynes Strand

LBA Haynes Strand is a full-service accounting firm with offices across North Carolina. LBA Haynes Strand provides value-added services throughout the service delivery process to improve operations and ensure compliance with relevant regulations. We take a strategic and holistic approach to accounting that looks at more than just your business tax situation. Our team works to understand your finances, your culture, your goals and your aspirations.  With this comprehensive understanding of your organization in place, LBA Haynes Strand is able to provide the best possible service, helping you protect and improve your organization’s fiscal health and well-being — for now, and for the future.