Two Long-Established Firms Combine
Santa Rosa, Calif., December 5, 2018 – Sonoma County-based accounting firms Pisenti & Brinker LLP (P&B) and Zainer Rinehart Clarke (ZRC) announce their merger under the Pisenti & Brinker name, effective Jan. 1, 2019. ZRC Partners Betsy Stewart, Linda Kachiu and Danielle Sandoval will maintain their titles and leadership positions in the new firm with P&B Partners Jim Perez, Ray Pounds, Tim Moratto, Brett Bradford and Josh Moore. The new P&B has a combined 92-year history in the region and, in addition to its headquarters in Santa Rosa, will have offices in Petaluma, Napa and St. Helena with 31 CPAs and nearly 80 employees. The largest local Sonoma County firm is now also the largest accounting firm in the North Bay Area measured by the number of total staff.
“When we began to look at this opportunity we realized just how similar the two firms are in terms of core values, client composition and services,” said Perez, P&B’s co-managing partner. “This is no surprise given the history of leadership and community focus at both P&B and ZRC. We have long-respected Betsy, Linda, Danielle and the work of their team at ZRC, and we welcome the diversity they will bring to the new P&B. This is an incredible opportunity for our current and future employees as we will be able to offer them more pathways in their careers. Our clients will benefit from the convergence of the best practices of each firm and the additional depth and technical resources that will be available to North Bay businesses and individuals.”
The newly formed P&B will blend professionals from both firms, continuing to provide businesses and individuals with tax planning, management advice, audit and assurance services, valuation and litigation support and, estate and succession planning. Responding to the needs of North Bay Area businesses and organizations, P&B works across various industries, including construction, real estate, wineries, vineyards and other agriculture, manufacturing, nonprofits, retail, food and beverage, hospitality, and governmental and municipal agencies. As a member of the RSM U.S. Alliance, P&B provides international audit, tax and consulting services. ZRC has also long been a member of DFK International, an association of independent global accounting firms and business advisors.
“We are thrilled to have found such a complimentary fit and opportunity to take our practice to the next level for our employees and clients,” said ZRC Managing Partner Betsy Stewart. “I am confident that our clients will not only be comfortable with still being able to work directly with the team they know, but they will also greatly benefit from the additional resources we will be able to provide. We have been looking for ways to support our employees and recruiting efforts in terms of additional training and opportunities, and blending with the larger, well-rounded team at P&B allows us to do just that.”
Jim Andersen of Hemming Morse, LLP provided transaction advisory services in connection with the merger.
“Having been immersed in the North Bay accounting scene for my more than 45-year career with great familiarity with the people and work of P&B and ZRC, I can tell you that this combination is a true win-win for its collective clients and employees,” said Andersen. “The synergies that these two firms share in terms of client offerings and employee culture make them an ideal fit. I look forward to the trajectory of P&B as it ascends into an even stronger foothold on the market, helping North Bay Area small to midsize businesses – the backbone of our local economy and vitality – thrive.”
About Pisenti & Brinker
Founded in 1965 by Ed Pisenti and Lynn Brinker, Pisenti & Brinker LLP is Sonoma County’s largest locally-owned certified public accounting firm. As of Jan. 1, 2019, it will merge with Zainer Rinehart Clarke, and the combined firm has nearly 80 employees located in offices in Santa Rosa, Petaluma, Napa and St. Helena. The new P&B will continue to provide audit, tax and consulting services for businesses and individuals across a wide range of industries. P&B has a longstanding commitment of service to the North Bay Area and has been named a North Bay Business Journal “Best Place to Work”. To learn more, visit pbllp.com.