BKD enters Mississippi in merger with three firms

BKD will pick up about $10 million in annual revenues and about 70 personnel, including 12 partners, when it combines with Smith, Turner & Reeves PA; Johnson, Bruce & Host PLLC; and Shearer, Taylor & Co. PA. The merger creates the second largest CPA and advisory firm in Jackson and the third-largest in Mississippi, and it expands BKD’s southern reach, according to a news release.

ST&R Managing Partner Jon C. Turner and JB&H Managing Member Peder R. Johnson will be BKD’s co-partners in charge of the company’s Mississippi operations.

ST&R primarily serves the telecommunications, health care, financial services, not-for-profit, government and manufacturing industries. The company brings annual revenues of about $5 million, about 40 personnel and two offices in Jackson and Oxford, Miss. – its Natchez, Miss., office is not included in the transaction.

JB&H has about $2.3 million in annual revenues and a staff of about 18. The firm focuses on the manufacturing, real estate and health care sectors.

ST&C brings a staff of 13 and annual revenues of about $2.3 million. It serves 40 community-based financial institutions and several of Mississippi’s largest banks.

BKD has net annual revenues of $318 million and approximately 1,900 personnel, including 230 partners, in 27 offices in 11 states: Arkansas, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma and Texas, according to the release.