Cherry Bekaert (the Firm) is pleased to announce it has acquired the business of Richardson Kontogouris Emerson LLP (RKE), a respected public accounting and advisory firm that has advised and assisted clients with accounting, tax, financial, litigation support and strategic planning needs since 2006.
RKE, headquartered in Torrance, California, broadens Cherry Bekaert’s presence on the West Coast. RKE has focused on serving middle-market clients across a broad range of industries, including manufacturing & consumer products, real estate, construction and food & beverage. This presents a significant opportunity to bring Cherry Bekaert’s dynamic resources and expansive capabilities into RKE’s established client base while enhancing the Firm’s ability to serve middle-market companies, founders and private investors in Southern California.
Michelle Thompson, Chief Executive Officer of Cherry Bekaert Advisory LLC, stated: “This acquisition marks an exciting step in our Firm’s growth strategy. RKE’s strong presence in Los Angeles and its commitment to client service align perfectly with our values. Together, we will deliver enhanced value to clients by combining RKE’s local relationships with Cherry Bekaert’s national scale and expanding our reach in the Western United States.”
Christian Emerson, Managing Partner at RKE, commented: “Joining Cherry Bekaert opens new doors for our clients and team. This strategic partnership gives our clients access to broader resources — from specialized advisory to advanced technology — while continuing to work with the valued RKE professionals they know and trust. We’re excited to deliver an expanded suite of services with the same quality and care our clients have come to expect from RKE.”
As part of the transaction, Cherry Bekaert Advisory LLC will acquire all of the assets related to RKE’s business advisory, tax and other nonattest services, while Cherry Bekaert LLP will acquire RKE’s attest assets. RKE will be seamlessly integrated into Cherry Bekaert and will operate under the Cherry Bekaert brand.