The activity in the mergers and acquisitions market has heated up at the end of the year. There have been some significant accounting firms that are joining forces around the country. Here are three that were announced this week alone.

• The largest firm based in the Pacific Northwest, Moss Adams, has acquired Mohler, Nixon & Williams. Mohler was based in the Campbell, California with offices throughout the Silicon Valley. Moss Adams is ranked as the twelfth largest CPA firm in the country. They have 22 offices from Kansas City, Missouri to Bellingham, Washington. Mohler was the ninth biggest firm in California and 94th largest in the country.The 25 partners of the firm are expected to join Moss Adams. The move strengthens Moss Adams' presence in California and especially in the tech rich Silicon Valley area.
  
• Witt Mares of Newport News, Virginia and PBGH of Harrisonburg, Virginia have agreed to merge their firms. It is unclear what the name of the combined firm will be but Alan Witt will be the CEO and have offices in Newport News.Keith Wampler will remain in Fredericksburg and be the chairman. The merger will strengthens both organizations reach in Virginia. The plan is to continue to expand the firm throughout the mid-Atlantic region.
  
• Patrick & Robinson of Jacksonville, Florida has acquired  Petherbridge, Davis & Co also based in Jacksonville, Florida. The firm will continue to operate under the Patrick & Robinson name. Deals of the acquisition were not released.

So as we head into a new year a number of accountants will be representing different companies. Congratulations to everyone involved and good luck to the three bigger and better accounting firms.