by HIGH POINT – Smith Leonard PLLC (SL) announced it will acquire Hickory accounting firm Whisnant & Company LLP (Whisnant) effective January 1, 2023.
The acquisition strengthens the firm’s presence in central North Carolina and the Hickory office becomes its fourth location along with the headquarters in High Point and offices in Lexington and Winston-Salem.
Recently recognized as the highest-ranked mid-sized firm in North Carolina on Accounting Today’s list of “Best Accounting Firms to Work For”, the acquisition also will expand Smith Leonard’s workforce to more than 100 employees.
Smith Leonard Managing Partner Mark Bulmer said the two firms are very familiar with one another as they have collaborated on various projects over the years.
“The Hickory market is one where we already spend a lot of time, so this acquisition will strengthen our presence and the service we provide to our clients in the area,” he said. “It’s a natural fit. We are excited to add their talented staff to our team.”
Whisnant’s Managing Partner Barry Whisnant added, “My process for choosing a firm to align with was based on what was best for our clients, partners, and staff, as well as the interests of the Hickory, Catawba County, and the Unifour communities. The goal was to bring a larger firm with a deeper bench into the area and one that would bring continued success to our firm and our clients.”
