H&R Block acquires southwest Missouri franchise

H&R Block Inc. (NYSE: HRB) acquired a southwest Missouri franchise for an undisclosed amount, said a spokesman with the Kansas City-based tax-preparation firm.

Emerald Financial Inc., run by Ken Treat, a former senior vice president with H&R Block, operated 20 locations in the greater Springfield and Joplin areas since June 2012, according to Treat’s LinkedIn account.

Gene King, director of communications for H&R Block, declined to disclose specifics related to why the company assumed control of Treat’s locations.

“H&R Block continues to evaluate and optimize its overall footprint. As a franchisor, we work with our franchisees on exit and transition strategies. Springfield is a growing market and the company is pleased to be able to keep these area offices as part of the H&R Block brand,” King said in an email. “There should be no impact to clients as they will continue to be served by the same quality associates and tax professionals.”

Efforts to reach Treat for comment through Tina Rector, district operations coordinator for H&R Block, were unsuccessful by deadline.

According to public filings, H&R Block finished fiscal 2014 on April 30 with revenue up more than 4 percent to $3.02 billion from $2.9 billion in fiscal 2013. Tax returns processed by and through the firm were down, however, by 2.6 percent during the year to 24.2 million.[[In-content Ad]]