Forvis, LLP
| Company type | Limited Liability Partnership |
|---|---|
| Industry | Accounting, Consulting |
| Predecessor | BKD, Dixon Hughes Goodman, Mazars |
| Founded | January 2, 1923 (as Baird, Kurtz & Dobson) |
| Headquarters | Kansas City , United States |
Area served | United States, International |
| Products | Assurance, tax, consulting, advisory, audit, wealth management, valuation services, business transition support, information technology consulting |
Number of employees | Not specified |
| Parent | Forvis Mazars Global network |
| Website | www |
Forvis Mazars, LLP is recognized as one of the top 10 public accounting firms in the United States, delivering a broad range of assurance, tax, and consulting solutions. In June 2024, the Forvis Mazars Global network was created following the combination of FORVIS and Mazars.
As the largest U.S. participant in the Praxity global alliance—a consortium of independent accounting and consulting firms—Forvis Mazars utilizes its worldwide connections to provide comprehensive support to international clients.
Services
Forvis Mazars offers a diverse portfolio of services, including advisory, assurance, audit, and tax-related assistance. Their expertise extends to state and local taxation, international tax matters, real estate cost segregation, transfer pricing strategies, wealth management, employee benefit plans, valuation services, business transition support, and information technology consulting.
History
The inception of Forvis Mazars dates to June 1, 2022, when BKD merged with Dixon Hughes Goodman. The new brand name "FORVIS," representing a fusion of "Forward Vision," was revealed on April 28, 2022.
Baird, Kurtz & Dobson
Baird, Kurtz & Dobson was established on January 2, 1923, by William Baird, Wade Kurtz, and Claire Dobson in Kansas City and Joplin, Missouri. Initially concentrating on regional expansion, the firm faced limitations due to the 1929 stock market crash and subsequent Great Depression.
Following World War II, the firm expanded by opening an office in Springfield in 1948 and acquiring a tax practice in Grand Junction amid a uranium industry surge. A formal partnership agreement was adopted in 1964. The enactment of the Medicare Act in 1965 spurred development of a robust health care practice that has since become its primary industry focus.
Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, the firm broadened its presence by establishing offices across Arkansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Texas, Nebraska, and Kentucky.
In 1994, BKD Corporate Finance, LLC (renamed BKD Capital Advisors in 2019) was launched. By 1999, the firm exceeded $100 million in revenue. The BKD Foundation was also founded that year as the firm’s philanthropic branch and has contributed over $14 million to charitable organizations. BKD actively participates in programs such as "Fighting Hunger... Feeding Hope" and supports Ronald McDonald House.
The merger with Olive LLP in 2001 resulted in BKD, LLP—the eighth largest accounting firm nationwide at that time—and led to rebranding BKD Investment Advisors as BKD Wealth Advisors.
Additional growth included acquiring Malin Bergquist & Co., LLP in 2013 and merging with Wolf & Company in 2014.
In 2015, BKD implemented initiatives focused on women’s leadership development, introduced firm-wide sales training programs, and established a national enterprise risk solutions practice.
By 2016, BKD had expanded to operate 41 offices across 19 states—including Arkansas, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, and Utah—cementing its status among the nation’s largest accounting firms.
Initiatives
FORVIS Foundation — Serving as the company’s philanthropic entity, the FORVIS Foundation enhances local communities through financial contributions and volunteer efforts. Since its inaugural donation in 2000, it has awarded over $14 million to various not-for-profit organizations—including several clients.
SKY Initiative — SKY represents a comprehensive BKD program dedicated to fostering diversity by attracting and nurturing women leaders within the firm. Its mission focuses on identifying and eliminating cultural obstacles that impede employee growth and success.
Acquisitions
On January 16, 2022, BKD incorporated Schmidt Westergard & Company, PLLC, a firm located in Mesa, Arizona.
BKD expanded its health care service offerings by integrating CampbellWilson, a Dallas, Texas-based firm, on June 1, 2020.
Teegardin & Associates CPAs, an Austin firm with expertise in tax, accounting, and family office services, became part of BKD on June 1, 2019.
Also joining BKD on June 1, 2019, was Stayner Bates P.C., headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Loeb & Troper LLP, a New York-based firm specializing in audit and consulting for the health care, not-for-profit, and education sectors, merged with BKD on July 15, 2018, while continuing operations at its original location.
Rylander, Clay & Opitz, LLP (RCO), a Fort Worth firm providing a broad range of accounting and consulting services across multiple industries, joined BKD on June 1, 2018. This acquisition enhanced BKD’s footprint in Texas alongside offices in Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, and Waco.
On January 9, 2018, Harper & Pearson Company, P.C. was acquired by BKD, strengthening its Houston office through additional personnel and client base.
Paragon Audit & Consulting, Inc., a Denver-based company specializing in internal audit and compliance services, became part of BKD on June 1, 2017. This move augmented BKD’s National Advisory Services Region and Enterprise Risk Solutions Practice.
Kiesling Associates LLP from Des Moines joined BKD on December 4, 2016. This acquisition reinforced BKD’s presence in the Midwest and deepened expertise within the telecommunications sector.
Peterson, Peterson & Goss of Wichita merged with BKD on December 1, 2015, further expanding the firm's market reach throughout the Midwest.
Subsidiaries
FORVIS Capital Advisors, LLC – serves as the firm's investment banking arm offering services including mergers and acquisitions, business sales and divestitures, debt and equity recapitalization strategies, strategic planning assistance, and select transactional support.
FORVIS Wealth Advisors, LLC – an independent wealth management company registered with the SEC that caters to high-net-worth individuals and families with over $4 billion in assets under management.
Divisions
- BKD Technologies – delivers comprehensive information technology solutions
- Enterprise Risk Solutions – focuses on managing operational, financial, strategic, regulatory, and technological risks and controls
- Forensics & Valuation Services – specializes in business valuation along with forensic accounting and fraud investigations
- Loan Review Services – evaluates loan portfolio integrity and borrower repayment risk for financial institutions
- State & Local Tax (SALT) Services
- International Tax Services