Professionals on the Move – April 2026 – Part 1

Why It Matters

These moves signal that mid‑market firms are investing heavily in talent and governance to compete with larger platforms and private‑equity‑backed consolidators, strengthening client service depth and market resilience.

Key Takeaways

• Kaufman Rossin appoints CFO Feigelson as CEO June 2026
• CohnReznick adds three managing directors across advisory practices
• Bennett Thrasher expands international tax with partner Pellegrom
• UHY strengthens tax and governance with Serra hire, Burwell board
• DSWD Advisory appoints Whitman and Blaha to accelerate growth

Pulse Analysis

The accounting industry is in the midst of a talent‑driven transformation, as firms prioritize leadership continuity and specialized expertise to differentiate themselves. Kaufman Rossin's internal succession plan, moving CFO Marc Feigelson into the CEO role, highlights a strategic choice to preserve independence while scaling advisory capabilities. This approach contrasts with the wave of private‑equity‑backed mergers that have reshaped larger national firms, suggesting that boutique and regional players are betting on organic growth and client‑centric leadership to maintain market relevance.

CohnReznick’s aggressive hiring spree—adding Deirdre Cronin for SPA advisory, Nicholas Papke for transaction advisory, and Robert Frezza for restructuring—illustrates a concerted effort to broaden its service breadth across the deal lifecycle. By integrating seasoned professionals with deep M&A, due‑diligence, and distressed‑company experience, the firm positions itself to capture higher‑margin advisory work and serve complex, cross‑border transactions. Similarly, Bennett Thrasher’s recruitment of Matt Pellegrom expands its international‑tax footprint, enabling the firm to meet growing demand from U.S. multinationals navigating global tax reforms.

These appointments also reinforce the importance of governance and strategic oversight in a fragmented market. UHY’s addition of Joseph Serra to its tax practice and former PwC executive Michael Burwell to its board signals a focus on robust operational frameworks and growth capital. Meanwhile, DSWD Advisory’s enlistment of industry influencers Phil Whitman and Brian Blaha aims to accelerate both organic expansion and merger‑and‑acquisition activity. Collectively, these moves underscore a broader industry trend: mid‑market firms are leveraging elite talent and seasoned board members to compete with larger platforms, enhance client value, and sustain profitable growth.