May 20, 2008 
 

Dear Clients and Friends: 

While many of you are aware of our recent announcement, we wanted to utilize our Financial Perspectives E-Letter to share the news with others and provide additional information.   

Effective June 1, Smith, Turner & Reeves, P.A. and two other outstanding Mississippi CPA firms, Shearer, Taylor & Company, P.A. and Johnson, Bruce & Host, PLLC,  will combine with BKD LLP, the 10th largest CPA and advisory firm in the country. With 29 offices within 12 states, BKD provides assurance, tax, accounting outsourcing and consulting services including business valuations, litigation support, corporate finance, and information technology and wealth management solutions.  With this combination of firms, BKD will represent the state's largest firm, exclusive of international firms. The early response to our announcement has been overwhelmingly positive. 

Pictured from left to right are Peder R. Johnson (JB&H), Jon C. Turner (ST&R) and J. Robert Shearer (ST)

Why did Smith, Turner & Reeves take this step?  We have joined forces with BKD to continue growing with our clients.  For the past 34 years, our primary focus has been providing quality services and this combination of talent will provide deeper resources to continue that mission. In recent years, our firm has been approached by several major CPA firms who wished to be in our market.   We carefully evaluated all of them and BKD rose to the top.   Our cultures are a great match, as is their approach to serving all clients - large and small - with an equal amount of passion. We remain committed to meeting the needs of our clients in the future under our new name while retaining locally based ownership. And BKD is strongly committed to continuing our involvement in the civic fabric of our communities and state. 

More information about the merger and about BKD can be found here: 

Your friendship and patronage in the past is greatly appreciated, and we look forward to a bright future together. If you have any questions, please call on any of us.

Sincerely,  

Jon C. Turner, CPA
Managing Partner