Two Tri-Cities accounting firms announced Thursday that they planned to merge.Blackburn, Childers & Steagall, the region's largest certified public accounting firm, and Paul J. Rhoton, CPA, will merge on Jan. 1.
“We are excited to welcome Paul, the firm’s employees and clients to BCS," Tommy Greer, managing BCS partner, said in a news release. "With the additional expertise of Paul and his staff, we will be able to expand our services in the Kingsport area and the surrounding region."
This merger will nearly double the size of BCS’ Kingsport office. All clients served by the Rhoton firm will continue to be serviced at the firm's current location on Bridgewater Lane. Following a renovation and expansion of BCS’ Kingsport office, Rhoton employees are expected to transfer by late 2014 to 1361 S. Wilcox Drive.
“I believe BCS is a great fit for us and our clients. They have a reputation for quality and timely client service and for placing high emphasis on family, church and community involvement,” Paul Rhoton said in the release.
Founded in 1961, BCS has 10 partners and offices in Kingsport, Johnson City and Greeneville. BCS and its related entities will employ more than 100 people after the merger. The firm provides tax, accounting and audit services locally and nationally. The Rhoton firm has served the Kingsport area nearly 30 years. The news release described Rhoton as the region's eighth-largest firm.