Scott and Company CPAs, Johnstone Graydon & Thompson announce intent to merge
March 4, 2013
COLUMBIA, SC – March 4, 2013 – Greenville-based Johnstone, Graydon& Thompson CPA’s, P.A. and Columbia-based Scott and Company LLC haveannounced their intent to merge, effective at the close of business onJune 30, 2013.
Picture at right: Don Mobley is the managing partner of Scott and Company
The leadership of both firms, each of which provides audit andassurance, tax and a range of consulting services to clients across theSoutheast and internationally, voted to approve the merger. Thecombined firm will operate under the Scott and Company brand, and allmembers of each firm’s Greenville offices will combine in a singleGreenville location. Scott and Company also operates a Columbia, SCoffice.
Having known the Scott and Company leadership for years, we knowthat the client service commitment, professionalism and cultures of ourtwo firms closely align, said Phyllis P. Graydon, CPA and tax partnerin Johnstone, Graydon & Thompson (JGT). Combined, we will provideour growing client base and the greater Upstate communities with qualitysolutions delivered by an experienced local team.
Johnstone, Graydon & Thompson founder Bill Johnstone, who hasscaled back involvement in recent years as he approaches retirement,will continue in an active role, serving a limited number of clients andmentoring younger staff in the combined firm.
Our desire has always been to provide exceptional assurance, tax andaccounting services to clients, added Greg J. Thompson, CPA and auditpartner in JGT. As we explored this opportunity, we realized that ourclients and our firms would greatly benefit from working as one. Welook forward to contributing to the success of the combined firm, andare excited about the depth and talents that Scott and Company brings tothe Upstate market.
Don Mobley, managing partner of Scott and Company, noted: The Scottand Company organization is pleased and excited to join forces with ourcolleagues from Johnstone, Graydon & Thompson. We have known themfor years through business and civic circles, and are excited to worktogether to continue providing clients with the exceptional service andtechnical expertise that the combined firm can provide.
With the merger, the combined firm will grow to approximately 15professionals in its Upstate office and more than 30 statewide,providing a comprehensive range of tax, assurance, small business andspecialized consulting services to clients based across the Southeast. With clients ranging from individuals to multi-state and internationalorganizations, the firm will have particularly deep expertise in servingclosely-held businesses and their owners, as well as leaders in thehealthcare, real estate, government, manufacturing, professionalservices and non-profit arenas.
The leadership of the combined firm recognizes the distinct value ofcommunity commitment and involvement, and our emphasis will continue tobe on putting client and community needs and interests first, notedScott and Company’s S. Hunter Howard Jr. who has directed the Scott andCompany’s Greenville office since its opening in 2010. We envision ahuge upside to meeting the growing demands of South Carolina’s middlemarket organizations and governments by providing highly skilled, highlyefficient, personable and professional accountants and consultants at avalue proposition that meets their needs. Combined, our superior depthand capabilities will make that value proposition even more attractiveto many.
Despite the change that is inherent in any merger, both Graydon andThompson are adamant that clients will not experience serviceinterruptions or inconvenience. Not only are we creating significantlygreater depth to serve the Upstate market, we are adding talentedcolleagues that we know from experience embrace a culture of ‘clientservice first,’ Graydon noted.
Scott and Company
Scott and Company is an independent member of the BDO SeidmanAlliance, providing talent and resources to clients through a network ofthousands of skilled professionals, 400 independent alliance firmlocations domestically, and in more than 100 countries around theglobe. Learn more online at www.scottandco.com.
