BKD expands Nebraska practice via Grant Thornton acquisition

BKD LLP, which has 25 offices in 11 states and is based in Springfield, has acquired the Lincoln and Omaha, Neb., offices of Grant Thornton LLP, according to an announcement made by Bill Kirkman, partner in charge of BKD's southern Missouri practice.

A news release from the firm said the transaction was effective Dec. 1, 2001, and the Grant Thornton LLP partners and staff now are practicing under the BKD name.

Donald K. Ham, former managing partner of Grant Thornton LLP's Ne-braska practice, joined BKD as a partner, as did Ritch A. Bahe, Bruce L. Meister and Timothy J. Wilson.

The release stated that the decision by Grant Thornton to sell its Nebraska firm "is the result of a shift by many of the Global Seven accounting firms of which Grant Thornton is one, along with Andersen, KPMG, Deloitte & Touche, BDO Seidman, PricewaterhouseCoopers and Ernst & Young to refocus resources on strategic metropolitan areas."

The newly combined $9 million-plus certified public accounting and consulting practices are among the largest in Nebraska, with about 70 personnel based in Lincoln and Omaha.

BKD, with tax, assurance, consulting and accounting outsourcing practices, also serves high net worth individuals in the areas of tax and wealth management.

The firm's industry niches include financial institutions, manufacturing and distribution, health care, agribusiness, not-for-profits, government, construction and real estate.