Pevita Pearce
Top 50 accounting firm Doeren Mayhew has announced its third significant merger and acquisition (M&A) of 2026, acquiring Berman Hopkins, a distinguished INSIDE Public Accounting (IPA) Top 300 firm with established offices in Orlando and Melbourne, Florida. This strategic move significantly amplifies Doeren Mayhew’s footprint in the Southeast region and enhances its specialized service offerings, particularly within the construction, healthcare, and employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) sectors. The financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
The integration of Berman Hopkins brings nearly 100 new professionals into the Doeren Mayhew fold, including nine principals who will be integral to the firm’s expanded leadership. Christopher McDirmit, formerly the managing principal of Berman Hopkins, will continue to lead the central Florida operations under the Doeren Mayhew umbrella. The former Berman Hopkins partners, including Jason Berry, Sean Cedar, Agnes Gregory, Joseph Jones, Justin Knox, Jason Miller, Laura Anne Pray, and Steven Rivera, will transition to principal roles within Doeren Mayhew, contributing their extensive experience and client relationships. The acquired entity will now operate under Doeren Mayhew’s established alternative practice structure, encompassing Doeren Mayhew Assurance and Doeren Mayhew Advisors, ensuring a unified service delivery model.
This acquisition marks a pivotal moment in Doeren Mayhew’s aggressive growth strategy, which has seen substantial investment and expansion over the past few years. The firm’s momentum is underscored by its active M&A pipeline, with the Berman Hopkins deal being its third significant acquisition in 2026 alone. Earlier this year, Doeren Mayhew integrated 1RDG, an advisory firm based in Rochester, New York, and in the preceding month, it acquired Dent Moses, a CPA firm in Birmingham, Alabama, along with its affiliate, Impact Technology Group. These acquisitions reflect a deliberate approach to expanding geographic reach and deepening specialized service capabilities.
Doeren Mayhew’s accelerated M&A activity is significantly fueled by a strategic infusion of outside capital secured in August 2024, when the firm sold a stake to Audax Private Equity. This investment was explicitly intended to facilitate broader geographic expansion through acquisitions, enhance service portfolios, bolster technology infrastructure, and elevate the overall employee and client experience. The firm’s commitment to this strategy was evident in its robust performance in 2025, during which it successfully completed 13 M&A transactions. The Berman Hopkins acquisition represents Doeren Mayhew’s second Florida-based transaction within the last year and its eighth in the broader Southeast region, demonstrating a consistent and successful expansion into this key market.
Deepening Expertise in Key Sectors
Berman Hopkins, founded in 1958, has cultivated a formidable reputation as a leading accounting and advisory firm serving the greater Orlando metropolitan area. Its core service offerings include comprehensive tax planning and compliance, assurance services, and transaction advisory. The firm has developed particular strengths and deep client relationships across several critical industries, including construction, healthcare, distribution, manufacturing, and real estate. This established industry focus aligns seamlessly with Doeren Mayhew’s existing strengths and strategic growth objectives.
Beyond its regional prominence, Berman Hopkins also manages a national client portfolio, distinguished by recognized expertise in employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs) and the governmental sector. Its specialization within the governmental sphere includes audits for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), valuations, and strategic advisory services, areas that offer significant growth potential for Doeren Mayhew. The firm’s proficiency in these niche yet vital areas complements Doeren Mayhew’s existing service lines, creating synergistic opportunities for cross-selling and integrated client solutions.
Strategic Rationale and Synergies
Chad Anschuetz, CEO of Doeren Mayhew Advisors, expressed enthusiasm for the integration, stating, "We are excited to welcome the Berman Hopkins team. Their strong reputation in Florida and dedication to client success make them an outstanding fit for our firm. They bring exceptional talent in key complementary sectors critical to our growth, including construction, while also adding specialized expertise that creates new opportunities for us to scale strategically across the firm." This statement highlights the dual benefit of the acquisition: strengthening existing service areas and introducing new, high-value specializations.
The strategic importance of the construction industry specialization cannot be overstated. Both Doeren Mayhew and Berman Hopkins are recognized among the top 50 accounting firms providing services to businesses in the construction sector, according to Construction Executive‘s 2025 rankings. This shared leadership position within a dynamic and significant industry solidifies their combined influence and market share, offering a powerful platform for further growth and client acquisition in this domain.
Leadership Perspectives on Integration
Christopher McDirmit, reflecting on the decision to join Doeren Mayhew, emphasized the forward-looking vision that guided the process. "As we looked to the future, our leadership team focused on finding the right path to better serve our clients and create even greater opportunities for our people," McDirmit stated. "Doeren Mayhew strengthens our ability to advise clients across every aspect of their business, amplifying the strategic impact we deliver as trusted leaders. Equally important, it aligns with our people-first culture, ensuring we continue to invest in our team and empower them to build truly purposeful careers." This perspective underscores the alignment of cultural values and career development opportunities as key factors in the successful integration of the two firms. The emphasis on a "people-first culture" suggests a shared commitment to employee well-being and professional growth, which is crucial for retaining talent in the competitive accounting industry.
Broader Implications of the Acquisition
The acquisition of Berman Hopkins by Doeren Mayhew is indicative of broader trends within the accounting profession, characterized by consolidation and specialization. Larger firms are increasingly acquiring smaller, specialized practices to gain immediate market share, expand their geographic reach, and acquire niche expertise. This strategy allows firms like Doeren Mayhew to offer a more comprehensive suite of services, compete more effectively with larger national and international firms, and capitalize on the growing demand for specialized advisory services across various industries.
For clients of both firms, the integration promises enhanced service capabilities. Berman Hopkins clients will gain access to Doeren Mayhew’s expanded resources, technological advancements, and a broader network of expertise. Similarly, Doeren Mayhew clients will benefit from the deep industry knowledge and established client relationships that Berman Hopkins brings, particularly in sectors like construction and ESOPs. The continued investment in technology and talent acquisition by Doeren Mayhew suggests a commitment to delivering cutting-edge solutions and superior client experiences, positioning the firm for sustained growth and leadership in the evolving accounting landscape. The firm’s strategic partnerships, such as the one with Audax Private Equity, underscore its ambition and capacity to execute a dynamic growth strategy, setting a precedent for its future endeavors in the M&A market.
