Acquisition
Cherry Bekaert Acquires California Accounting Firm Richardson Kontogouris Emerson LLP
•February 17, 2026
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Why It Matters
The acquisition expands Cherry Bekaert’s geographic footprint and gives clients access to a broader suite of advisory, tax, and assurance resources, strengthening its competitive position in the U.S. market.
Key Takeaways
- •Cherry Bekaert adds RKE’s California client base.
- •Acquisition strengthens West Coast advisory capabilities.
- •RKE’s middle‑market focus complements Cherry Bekaert services.
- •Combined firm offers expanded tax and attest services.
- •Integration under Cherry Bekaert brand begins immediately.
Pulse Analysis
Mid‑year, Cherry Bekaert accelerated its national expansion by acquiring Richardson Kontogouris Emerson LLP, a well‑established public accounting firm in Southern California. The deal reflects a broader consolidation wave among midsize advisory firms seeking geographic diversification and scale. By adding RKE’s assets, Cherry Bekaert instantly gains a foothold in the Los Angeles market, a region traditionally dominated by larger Big‑Four players and regional boutiques. The acquisition also aligns with the firm’s strategic objective to broaden its service platform beyond the East Coast, leveraging existing national infrastructure to serve a wider client base.
RKE’s portfolio, built around middle‑market manufacturers, real‑estate developers, and consumer‑product companies, dovetails with Cherry Bekaert’s focus on growth‑stage businesses and private investors. The combined entity can now cross‑sell sophisticated tax planning, litigation support, and technology‑enabled advisory solutions to RKE’s existing clientele. Moreover, Cherry Bekaert’s investment in cloud‑based audit tools and data analytics will enhance the quality and speed of attest engagements, addressing a growing demand for real‑time financial insights. For clients, the partnership promises a seamless blend of local relationship depth and national resource depth.
From a competitive standpoint, the transaction positions Cherry Bekaert to challenge both regional firms and the Big‑Four in the lucrative West Coast middle‑market segment. The expanded footprint may attract private equity sponsors looking for advisors with coast‑to‑coast capabilities, potentially increasing deal flow for the firm’s advisory practice. As regulatory complexity rises and technology reshapes accounting services, firms that can integrate local expertise with scalable platforms are likely to capture market share. Cherry Bekaert’s move signals confidence in its growth model and suggests further acquisitions could follow as it pursues a truly national presence.
Deal Summary
Cherry Bekaert, a global advisory, tax and assurance firm, announced the acquisition of the business and assets of Richardson Kontogouris Emerson LLP, a California-based public accounting and advisory firm. The transaction expands Cherry Bekaert’s presence on the West Coast and adds RKE’s middle‑market client base across multiple industries. Deal terms were not disclosed.
Article
Source: CPA Practice Advisor
Cherry Bekaert Acquires Richardson Kontogouris Emerson LLP
The global advisory, tax and assurance firm Cherry Bekaert has acquired the business of Richardson Kontogouris Emerson LLP (RKE), a public accounting and advisory firm that has advised and assisted clients with accounting, tax, financial, litigation support and strategic planning needs since 2006.
RKE, headquartered in Torrance, California, broadens Cherry Bekaert’s presence on the West Coast. RKE has focused on serving middle‑market clients across a broad range of industries, including manufacturing & consumer products, real estate, construction and food & beverage. This presents a significant opportunity to bring Cherry Bekaert’s dynamic resources and expansive capabilities into RKE’s established client base while enhancing the firm’s ability to serve middle‑market companies, founders and private investors in Southern California.
Michelle Thompson, Chief Executive Officer of Cherry Bekaert Advisory LLC, stated:
“This acquisition marks an exciting step in our Firm’s growth strategy. RKE’s strong presence in Los Angeles and its commitment to client service align perfectly with our values. Together, we will deliver enhanced value to clients by combining RKE’s local relationships with Cherry Bekaert’s national scale and expanding our reach in the Western United States.”
Christian Emerson, Managing Partner at RKE, commented:
“Joining Cherry Bekaert opens new doors for our clients and team. This strategic partnership gives our clients access to broader resources — from specialized advisory to advanced technology — while continuing to work with the valued RKE professionals they know and trust. We’re excited to deliver an expanded suite of services with the same quality and care our clients have come to expect from RKE.”
As part of the transaction, Cherry Bekaert Advisory LLC will acquire all of the assets related to RKE’s business advisory, tax and other non‑attest services, while Cherry Bekaert LLP will acquire RKE’s attest assets. RKE will be seamlessly integrated into Cherry Bekaert and will operate under the Cherry Bekaert brand.
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