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Accounting firms Baker Tilly and Moss Adams merged in June, creating the sixth largest advisory CPA firm in the U.S. and forming a powerhouse in Orange County.
Prior to the combination, Chicago-based Baker Tilly ranked No. 8 with its OC employee count declining 6% to 218 as of May compared to the year before. Seattle-based Moss Adams was at No. 5 as the local headcount dipped 4% to 291. The two firms officially combined on June 3; the two entities together employ 509, ranking the firm No. 4 on the Business Journal’s annual list of the largest accounting firms.
The new firm, called Baker Tilly, will be dealing with some major shifts in the financial and business world during President Donald Trump’s administration, as are other financial and business organizations.
“With proposed tariff changes and the GOP’s tax bill progressing through Congress, businesses in Orange County are experiencing uncertainty that’s delaying key decisions,” Thomas Bennett, Baker Tilly’s managing principal for Orange County, told the Business Journal (see story page 26).
OC Accounting Jobs Up
For the 48 OC accounting firms surveyed by the Business Journal, the number of local employees stood at 6,738 as of May, a 1.2% increase over the same month a year earlier.
Deloitte kept its No. 1 slot with 1,032 OC employees, despite a 4.5% dip from the year before.
“Orange County stands on a solid economic footing, thanks in large part to the companies that call our region home and a highly educated workforce,” said Marshall Solomon, Orange County managing partner at Deloitte.
Ernst & Young LLP was the second-largest accounting firm in OC with 668 employees, while PWC was third with 530.
OC’s RJI
RJI CPAs, with headquarters in Irvine, was in 24th place as its local headcount stayed steady at 91.
Los Angeles-based HCVT, with local offices in Irvine, jumped from No. 11 to No. 7, with a 41% headcount increase in Orange County.
“HCVT recently experienced a period of growth and strategic advancement, including an expansion of our geographical presence and practices, as well as leadership transitions to position the firm for sustained success,” a firm spokesperson said.
That included opening new offices in San Diego and Salt Lake City, expanding the Phoenix office, and beginning the expansion into Denver.
CBIZ CPAS in Costa Mesa jumped from 30 to 13 in the ranks after it merged with Marcum LLP in November 2024, sending its local headcount up 138% to 143.
“Companies are currently facing financial, operational, and compliance challenges driven by new and evolving global trade policies,” Lori Rock, managing director at CBIZ, told the Business Journal in an email.
Crowe LLP jumped from 26 to 20 in the ranks as its OC headcount increased by just over 19%.
Withum Increases Local Workforce
Withum in Irvine came in at No. 18, down three slots from last year – though its OC headcount increased by 13%
“This increase in headcount is from 2024 and was based on double-digit revenue growth in the post-COVID period. As work begins to steady and we proactively monitor economic uncertainty, our headcount in 2025 remains flat. However, we expect revenue growth to be 7.5% locally, and we have the right-sized capacity to meet this goal,” a Withum spokesperson said.
LSL LLP in Irvine went down two places to No. 17, as its OC employee count fell almost 19% to 110.
“While our Orange County headcount has decreased, our overall firm headcount continues to grow. Our shift to a more flexible, remote workforce model has allowed us to tap into talent beyond the boundaries of Orange County,” an LSL spokesperson said.
A new entrant on the list is No. 40 GuzmanGray of Costa Mesa, which has grown its employee count from 6 a year ago to 39, including 20 in Orange County. A year ago, it acquired Matsuura, a boutique CPA firm. Sam Salty, who previously was a partner
at Baker Tilly, in late 2023
became GuzmanGray’s managing partner.
Research Director Desmond Celo contributed to this report.