J. H. Cohn LLP, one of the leading accounting and consulting firms in the United States, and Kostin, Ruffkess & Company, LLC, a prominent New England accounting and business advisory firm with headquarters in Farmington, CT, have signed an agreement to combine. The combination will make J.H. Cohn the dominant regional firm serving the Connecticut and Western Massachusetts marketplace with offices in Glastonbury, Farmington, New London, and Stamford, CT, and Springfield, MA.

Kostin, Ruffkess & Company, which was founded in 1949 and specializes in accounting and tax services as well as forensic accounting, business valuation, and business consulting, will operate as J.H. Cohn LLP. The combination will provide Kostin, Ruffkess' clients and professionals with access to J.H. Cohn's highly personalized approach to client service, technical and industry expertise, strategic insight, and its dedication to community service, while reinforcing J.H. Cohn's commitment to strengthening its ability to serve clients throughout New England. The combined firm will also have enhanced depth in the construction, manufacturing and distribution, real estate, municipal, and not-for-profit industry sectors. Both firms also have strong employee benefits practices.

"This combination will enable us to more efficiently and effectively serve the New England market by providing deeper resources and broader areas of expertise than to which either of us previously had access," said Thomas J. Marino, CPA, chief executive officer of J.H. Cohn. "It is truly a win-win situation for our clients, our staff, and our partners."

"We believe the technical expertise and culture of both firms create widespread synergies that will benefit businesses throughout the New England community. We particularly admire J.H. Cohn's emphasis on partner-level involvement with their clients, dedication to deep industry specialization, diversified tax credentials, and commitment to giving back to the community," said Ed Kindelan, CPA, of Kostin, Ruffkess who will serve as office managing partner of J.H. Cohn's Farmington, New London, and Springfield offices.

Frank Longobardi, CPA, J.H. Cohn's regional managing partner, New England, emphasized, "The growth of our team is important to serving the complex needs of owner-managed privately held companies, public companies, private equity funds, and not-for-profit organizations. As regulatory and economic conditions continue to change, our clients increasingly look to us for capital markets guidance and 'best of breed' industry expertise."

J.H. Cohn's expansion also includes the opening of a new office in Stamford, CT in September to support their growing metro-New York and New England practices and their continuing commitment to the private equity and hedge fund communities.

Published date: 10/31/2011