HHM of Chattanooga expands, merges with Memphis firm
Chattanooga’s largest locally based accounting firm has made its biggest foray out of the city as it has expanded and merged with a Memphis company.
Henderson Hutcherson & McCullough PLLC has joined with Brundige Payne & Co. PC effective Aug. 1. The combined company will operate as HHM Memphis in that city, officials said Monday.
Donnie Hutcherson, HHM’s managing partner, said the Memphis partners have established a legacy there.
He said HHM officials “look forward to working with their clients to continue the level of service to which they are accustomed.”
According to HHM, the combination of resources from both firms will provide a greater depth of expertise and wider array of services.
Bob Payne, Brundige Payne’s managing partner, said HHM enables a broader range of services and deepens capabilities to give clients result-driving solutions.
“We look forward to serving more industries with our same exceptional personalized service for which we’ve become recognized,” he said in a statement.
HHM spokeswoman Ronelle Sellers said Memphis had been eyed by the firm over a period of years.
“We wanted to add another location,” she said. “It had to be the right fit.”
HHM Memphis will move its
offices to Kirby Center.
Accountant Darrin Yoder merged his solo practice in Memphis with HHM at the end of December 2015. In 2016, Andrew Mayfield, a HHM staff accountant, moved to Memphis. Britany Foley, a senior tax manager, joined the HHM team in Memphis late 2016, according to the firm.
This month, Jason Martin, a HHM partner, moved to Memphis after it solidified the merger of Brundige Payne.
Brundige Payne, founded in 1977, has a professional staff of 12 accountants, including eight CPAs. Nine of the accountants on staff focus in accounting and auditing services.
HHM has 108 employees. After the merger is finalized, it will have 122 employees. Including all affiliates, its head count will be 138, according to the HHM.
HHM offers services to all industry groups including health care, retail, restaurant, manufacturing and distribution, automotive dealerships, construction, government, and nonprofit.
The firm also specializes in mergers and acquisitions, business valuations, litigation support and forensics, critical reviews of operating procedures, employee benefit plans, tax-financial-estate-succession planning, emerging business, peer reviews, and audits.
Sellers said HHM had looked at expanding into the Tri-Cities area and other parts of Tennessee, but Memphis was the right option.
“It’s a really good match,” she said.
HHM was included in the “50 Fastest Growing Firms” and “Best of the Best” lists by Inside Public Accounting for the past two years.
Contact Mike Pare at mpare@timesfreepress. com or 423-767-6318