Word on the Street: Fresno accountants join national CPA-consultancy

A Fresno accounting firm is merging this week with a national consulting and accountancy company specializing in the food and agriculture industries.

Employees and partners of Fresno’s Stoughton Davidson Accountancy Corp. are joining K-Coe Isom, which has offices in Colorado, Wyoming, Mississippi, Kansas and Washington, D.C. as well as California. With the merger, Fresno will become K-Coe Isom’s fifth office in the Golden State, in addition to locations in Chico, Colusa, Redding and Yuba City.

K-Coe Isom’s Colorado-based CEO, Jeff Wald, said in a written statement that it made sense for his firm to establish a presence in central California. “To significantly affect California ag, you simply have to be in this Valley,” he said. “Stoughton Davidson’s 90 years of expertise in California food and agriculture matches our firm’s roots. …”

Six of Stoughton Davidson’s current partners – Michelle Ellis, Tracy Garone, Jeffrey Tatsumura, Christopher Tozlian, Jennifer Tozlian and Jason Weber – will become principals of K-Coe Isom, joining a roster of 61 other principals across the country. Stoughton partners Thomas McFerson, who has been with the firm for 50 years, 39-year veteran Scott Bristol and Scott Dye, who has 32 years with the company, have inked agreements with K-Coe Isom to continue serving clients as well.

“We’re confident that this is the absolute best next step for our people and our clients,” McFerson said in a written statement. “When you love something, you want it to be bigger and better. … It’s the right move and we’re pleased to make this important decision.”

The merger becomes official Thursday.

This story was originally published September 25, 2015 at 3:21 PM with the headline "Word on the Street: Fresno accountants join national CPA-consultancy."