Springfield accounting firms plan merger

Springfield accounting firms KPM CPAs PC and Davis, Lynn & Moots PC plan to merge at the beginning of next year.

No money is changing hands with the move, though the merged entity will operate under the name KPM CPAs, according to Jim Lewis of KPM, who said he is slated to become managing shareholder of the firm in May 2014. The merger is effective Jan. 1.

The combined firm of roughly 90 employees would move in late 2014 into a building slated for construction at Republic Road and Fremont Avenue. Lewis said the firm would occupy about 33,000 square feet on the first two floors of the planned three-story, 49,500-square-foot building, and would be leasing space from Bill Beall Co.

KPM, which shortened its name from Kirkpatrick, Phillips & Miller CPAs PC about a year ago, was founded in 1966 and serves clients in the manufacturing, distribution, financial and auto dealership industries at offices in Springfield and Branson. With the merger, KPM adds services for the nonprofit, government and education industries through DLM, which was formed in 1983, according to a news release.

“While we are very proud of our more than 30-year history, we recognize it would be advantageous for our team and our clients to merge with a firm of comparable quality. KPM shares our philosophy of helping clients grow, succeed and prosper,“ DLM Managing Partner Randall Moots said in the release. “This merger also will enable us to expand our existing industry specializations and utilize KPM’s talent and resources to increase service offerings through the use of their wealth management and technology divisions."

KPM is the second-largest area certified public accounting firm, according to Springfield Business Journal list research published in August, based on 43 local CPAs. DLM ranked No. 7 on this year's list with 16 local CPAs.