PKF Mid-Atlantic Merges With Major Regional Accounting Firm

NEWPORT NEWS, VA -- Pannell Kerr Forster Mid-Atlantic PC (PKF) in Fairfax, Va., a regional accounting and consulting firm known for its expertise in the hospitality industry has merged with Witt Mares Eggleston Smith, PLC, one of the state’s largest accounting firms.

The merger, which becomes official August 1, 2004, gives PKF significant physical presence in Virginia’s three largest markets: Hampton Roads, Richmond and Northern Virginia.

The Fairfax office will operate under the name PKF Witt Mares.

The merger of PKF Mid-Atlantic and Witt Mares Eggleston Smith will enhance the combined firm’s level of expertise in the hospitality area, particularly with member-owned country clubs and hotels. PKF Mid-Atlantic’s in-depth knowledge stems from recurring engagements with more than 100 clubs in the United States.

PKF’s annual statistical studies, Trends in the Hotel Industry and Clubs in Town & Country, are considered some of the most valuable reference and operational tools by the industry.

“We understand that to best serve our clients we must truly specialize in their industries and function as long-term strategic advisors,” says Alan Witt, CEO of Witt Mares Eggleston Smith. “The depth of service we can now bring to hospitality clients will rival our other core niches of financial institutions, construction and healthcare services.”

After the merger, PKF and Witt Mares Eggleston Smith will have a total of 26 partners, 80 CPAs, and more than 200 employees in eight locations in Newport News (headquarters), Norfolk, Richmond, Smithfield, Suffolk, Virginia Beach, Williamsburg and Fairfax.

The merger will result in no office closings or reduction in workforce.

The merger with PKF Mid-Atlantic provides all Witt Mares Eggleston Smith clients with expanded access to national and global expertise. The newly combined firm will continue its membership in the PKF North American Network (PKF-NAN) and PKF International, a network of more than 200 accounting firms worldwide who pool resources to provide added resources, information and expertise to clients. Kevin Reilly, CPA, J.D., will continue as PKF Witt Mares’ partner in charge in Fairfax and in his volunteer positions within the PKF-NAN and PKF International network. Reilly serves as Chairman of the PKF International Tax Committee and serves on the PKF-NAN Hospitality Committee. He is a former employee in the Office of the Chief Counsel, Internal Revenue Service.

“Our national and international presence and our offices throughout Virginia are critical in our ability to provide professionals and resources close to our clients’ bases of operation, no matter where they are,” says Kevin Reilly, partner in charge of PKF Witt Mares in Fairfax.

Witt Mares Eggleston Smith offers its clients a comprehensive menu of financial services for businesses and individuals. With a long history dating back to 1959, the firm has consistently demonstrated strength in both traditional services, such as tax, audit, review, compilation and business accounting, as well as consulting and specialty services including business valuation, tax planning, healthcare consulting, estate and trust planning, mergers and acquisitions, litigation support and bankruptcy consulting.

For more information, contact Mary Aldrich, Marketing Director of Witt Mares Eggleston Smith, PLC at 757-873-1587.