Pevita Pearce
Atlanta, GA – In a significant move to bolster its footprint across the Southeast, Smith + Howard, a prominent accounting firm ranked among the top 75 nationally, has announced the acquisition of two key regional practices: Hagler & Brocato, a well-established CPA firm based in Hoover, Alabama, and Byrne|Zizzi, a respected accounting and advisory firm headquartered in Tupelo, Mississippi. While the financial terms of these strategic transactions were not disclosed, the acquisitions mark the firm’s fourth and fifth significant additions in 2026, underscoring a period of aggressive growth and consolidation within the accounting sector.
This latest expansion builds upon a series of strategic integrations for Smith + Howard. Earlier this year, the firm welcomed Bauknight Pietras & Stormer, an INSIDE Public Accounting top 300 firm located in Columbia, South Carolina, in January. This was followed by the acquisition of Geels Norton in February, a specialized boutique firm enhancing Smith + Howard’s capabilities in cyber risk, audit, and advisory services. These moves reflect a clear strategy to diversify and deepen the firm’s service offerings while extending its geographic reach.
The expansion into Mississippi through the Byrne|Zizzi acquisition establishes a new operational base for Smith + Howard in the state. Simultaneously, the addition of Hagler & Brocato further strengthens the firm’s existing presence in Alabama, complementing its previous acquisition of Horton, Lee & Burnett in Birmingham in September 2025. This dual expansion strategy demonstrates a commitment to both entering new, strategically important markets and reinforcing its position in established ones.
Sean Taylor, CEO of Smith + Howard, emphasized the strategic importance of these acquisitions in a statement released on November 10th. "These acquisitions build on the momentum of welcoming TPG Growth as our strategic partner and reflect our commitment to building a leading national firm through partnerships with exceptional regional businesses," Taylor stated. "Hagler & Brocato and Byrne|Zizzi bring outstanding talent, trusted client relationships, and deep local expertise. With TPG Growth’s support, we’re accelerating our expansion while investing in the people, technology, and capabilities that will drive long-term value for our clients."
The involvement of TPG Growth, a global alternative asset management firm, highlights a significant financial backing for Smith + Howard’s growth ambitions. TPG Growth signed a definitive agreement to make a substantial investment in the Atlanta-based firm this past June. This follows an initial private equity investment from Broad Sky Partners in 2022, signaling a sustained focus on leveraging external capital to fuel M&A activity. Since 2022, Smith + Howard has been highly active in the market, completing an impressive 11 M&A deals.
Deepening Regional Expertise and Service Offerings
Hagler & Brocato: Strengthening Alabama Presence
Founded in 2005, Hagler & Brocato has established a strong reputation for serving businesses and individuals throughout the greater Birmingham, Alabama, area and beyond. The firm offers a comprehensive suite of services, including accounting, tax planning and preparation, bookkeeping, payroll, and business consulting. Hagler & Brocato possesses specialized expertise in key sectors such as construction, real estate, dental, professional services, and nonprofit organizations.
Charles "Clay" Hagler, founder of Hagler & Brocato, expressed enthusiasm for the integration. "Joining Smith + Howard represents an exciting opportunity for our clients and our team," Hagler said in a statement. "We’ve built our reputation on providing personalized service and trusted guidance. This partnership allows us to preserve those relationships while giving our clients access to a much broader range of resources, specialized expertise, and advisory capabilities." The acquisition of Hagler & Brocato not only expands Smith + Howard’s service capacity in Alabama but also integrates a team with deep understanding of local market dynamics and client needs.
Byrne|Zizzi: Establishing a Mississippi Footprint
The acquisition of Byrne|Zizzi marks Smith + Howard’s strategic entry into Mississippi. Founded in 1961, Byrne|Zizzi is a well-respected firm providing essential services including tax planning and compliance, client accounting and advisory services, business consulting, and business valuation. Notably, Byrne|Zizzi is a women-led firm with multiple offices across Mississippi, including Tupelo, Aberdeen, Houston, and Oxford. This broad geographic presence within the state positions Smith + Howard for significant growth in the region.
Emily Zizzi, CEO and president of Byrne|Zizzi, highlighted the client-centric nature of the decision. "Our clients and our people were at the center of this decision," Zizzi stated. "We have built relationships that mean a great deal to me, and choosing the right firm to join was personal. Smith + Howard gives our clients access to expertise and services we have wanted to offer, and gives our team more opportunities to learn, grow, and build their careers. I’m excited about what we can do together. The people our clients know and trust are coming with us." This assurance of continuity is crucial for maintaining client loyalty and ensuring a smooth transition.
A Year of Aggressive Expansion and Strategic Vision
The current year, 2026, has been a period of accelerated growth for Smith + Howard, characterized by a deliberate and strategic approach to mergers and acquisitions. The firm’s M&A activity is not merely about increasing size, but about strategically acquiring firms that possess complementary expertise, strong client bases, and a cultural alignment that supports Smith + Howard’s overarching vision.
The integration of firms like Bauknight Pietras & Stormer and Geels Norton demonstrates a clear intent to bolster specialized service lines. Bauknight Pietras & Stormer, as a top 300 IPA firm, brings a depth of experience and a robust client portfolio that aligns with Smith + Howard’s ambition to scale its core accounting and advisory services. Geels Norton’s specialization in cyber risk, audit, and advisory addresses the growing demand for sophisticated risk management and cybersecurity consulting in today’s complex business environment.
The recent financial backing from TPG Growth is a critical enabler of this aggressive M&A strategy. Private equity investment often provides firms with the capital necessary to pursue larger, more transformative acquisitions and to invest in the infrastructure, technology, and talent required to integrate acquired entities effectively. This partnership with TPG Growth signals a commitment to long-term growth and market leadership, with the goal of evolving Smith + Howard into a truly national player.
Implications for the Accounting Industry and Clients
The aggressive expansion of Smith + Howard through strategic acquisitions has several significant implications for the accounting industry and its clients.
Industry Consolidation: The series of deals undertaken by Smith + Howard is indicative of a broader trend of consolidation within the accounting profession. Larger firms are increasingly acquiring smaller and mid-sized practices to expand their geographic reach, enhance their service offerings, and gain market share. This trend is driven by several factors, including the increasing complexity of tax and regulatory environments, the growing demand for specialized advisory services (such as cybersecurity and data analytics), and the desire to achieve economies of scale.
Enhanced Client Services: For clients of Hagler & Brocato and Byrne|Zizzi, the acquisitions promise access to a wider array of services and expertise. While the acquired firms have strong local reputations, their integration into Smith + Howard will provide clients with access to a national network of specialists, advanced technological solutions, and a broader spectrum of advisory capabilities that might not have been available previously. This can be particularly beneficial for businesses looking to grow, navigate complex financial challenges, or expand into new markets.
Talent Development and Retention: The statements from Emily Zizzi and Charles "Clay" Hagler emphasize the importance of their teams. For accounting professionals, joining a larger, growing firm like Smith + Howard can offer enhanced career development opportunities, specialized training, and exposure to a wider range of clients and industries. This can be a critical factor in attracting and retaining top talent in a competitive market.
Competitive Landscape: The expansion of firms like Smith + Howard reshapes the competitive landscape for accounting services. Regional firms will face increased competition from larger, more resource-rich national players. This may encourage smaller firms to consider strategic alliances or mergers to remain competitive and offer a comprehensive service suite.
The sustained M&A activity by Smith + Howard, supported by significant private equity investment, positions the firm as a formidable and rapidly growing entity within the national accounting sector. The strategic integration of Hagler & Brocato and Byrne|Zizzi represents a calculated step towards achieving greater scale, market penetration, and a more diversified service portfolio, all while aiming to deliver enhanced value to its expanding client base across the Southeast and beyond. The firm’s continued strategic acquisitions will likely be closely watched as an indicator of future trends in the accounting industry.
