CPA firms The Bonadio Group, Gaines Kriner Elliott to merge

BUFFALO, N.Y., Sept. 26, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Two prominent CPA firms in Buffalo have reached an agreement to merge. The Bonadio Group and Gaines Kriner Elliott LLP (GKE) will finalize their new arrangement on November 1, and will operate under the Bonadio name.

The merger will add 88 employees—including eight partners and workers at two subsidiary companies—to The Bonadio Group in Western New York, for a total of 130 Bonadio employees in the region, which includes offices in Amherst, Batavia, and East Aurora. Bonadio's current local office is in Williamsville.

"This merger is great news for everyone involved because our combined firm will be able to provide more services for clients and offer greater growth opportunities for our people," said Tom Bonadio, CEO and managing partner of The Bonadio Group. "We've found kindred spirits in our new GKE partners, and we know that we can learn a great deal from each other for the benefit of our clients everywhere. It's going to be a great fit, and we can't wait to get started together."

Philip Mann will serve as office managing partner of The Bonadio Group's new combined Buffalo presence.

"My GKE partners and I are very much looking forward to our firm's next phase with The Bonadio Group," said Rocco Surace, managing partner of Gaines Kriner Elliott. "In our discussions with Tom Bonadio and his team over the past few months, we were delighted to find that our two firms share the values and business philosophies that breed success. Our firms' capabilities complement each other nicely, and we know that our combined strengths and expertise will lead to great opportunities for clients and employees on both sides."

Subsidiaries will join Bonadio

Two GKE subsidiaries will join The Bonadio Group in the merger. They are:

• GEMKO Information Group—a reseller of computer servers and other information-technology equipment
• Athena— a provider of sales lead generation services for companies such as manufacturing firms

About The Bonadio Group

Celebrating its 35th year in 2013, The Bonadio Group is a nationally ranked Top 100 CPA firm that also offers business advisory, payroll, and personal financial services. Bonadio is the largest independent provider of audit, tax, and management advisory services in upstate New York—with offices in Rochester, Buffalo, Syracuse, Albany, Geneva, Perry, Utica, New York City, and Rutland, Vt. For more information, visit www.bonadio.com.

About Gaines Kriner Elliott LLP

Since 1923, Gaines Kriner Elliott has served clients in the United States and Canada with professional audit, accounting, and tax services. The firm's emphasis is to build a trusted relationship with clients, deliver value to them, and target ways to help contribute to their success. GKE is the only Western New York firm that is an independent member of CPA Associates International, Inc. 

SOURCE The Bonadio Group