The Savannah CPA firm of Deemer Dana & Froehle LLP and TJS & Co. LLC of Dublin — formerly Thigpen, Jones, Seaton & Co. — will merge Jan. 1 to form TJS Deemer Dana LLP.
The combined firm will have a staff of more than 70 with strategic locations in Savannah, Atlanta and Dublin, the two firms announced Monday.
“With the combined knowledge and depth of experience of both firms, we remain committed to supporting all of our clients with their accounting and audit, consulting, litigation, small business, tax and valuation needs,” said DDF partner Arthur Dana.
“Rest assured your service team will not change, and you can continue to count on TJS Deemer Dana LLP to provide you with the expertise, experience, and service you have always come to expect from our firms,” the firms said in a letter to clients announcing the merger, which has been in the works for more than a year.
During the fall of 2012, based on a recommendation from retired DDF partner Rick Deemer, then-managing partner John Matthews traveled to Dublin to meet with Scotty Jones and Tracy Sharkey of Thigpen, Jones, Seaton & Co.
They discussed their potential interest in combining the two accounting firms with similarly matched cultures of excellent client service, heavily niched industries and progressive team members.
A year-long mutual courtship began with many miles and hours logged by both firms between Dublin, Atlanta and Savannah, Sharkey said.
The merger momentum suffered what could have been a devastating setback in September when Matthews, who was putting the merger together, was diagnosed with a brain tumor.
“As all of those who know John will attest, he attacked the setback with a typical ‘John’ approach,” Dana said. “With a strength and grace that can only come from having a strong relationship with the Lord, and the forward thinking mentality of an exceptional leader, he charged both firms to continue the process.”
In late September, in the last meeting Matthews was able to attend, he stressed the importance to his partners of continuing what he had started.
“He recognized the potential of establishing a merged firm that would cultivate a tremendous synergy in serving clients and provide a family centric culture for its employees,” Dana said. “He challenged the two firms to remain committed.”
Matthews died on Nov. 6, but not before voting his approval on the new firm’s name from his hospital bed, Dana said.
“Our hearts are heavy from our loss, but we are grateful for John’s vision for our future. As we move ahead, his leadership continues to inspire us,” he said.
Sharkey agreed.
“As John wished, we were committed to completing the negotiations that had begun over a year ago.” She said. “We’re all tremendously excited over the synergy that both of our groups bring to the table and the enhanced opportunities that this merger gives our team and our clients.
“We look forward to honoring John’s memory by making this a reality on Jan. 1.”
ABOUT DEEMER DANA & FROEHLE
Deemer, Dana & Froehle LLP was formed in 2008 through the merger of two Georgia accounting firms — Lazard Dana LLC, based in Savannah and Deemer Davidson Prather PC, located in metro Atlanta.
Deemer focused on the engineering and architectural industries, while Lazard Dana served the post-secondary education industry as well as other clients.
Today DDF serves three major niches: the architecture/engineering/construction industries, colleges and universities and employee benefit plan audits.
ABOUT TJS & CO.
JS & Company LLC began as an outgrowth of the Dublin office of Jones & Thigpen PC, begun when sole practitioner Gilbert W. Jones founded his firm in 1969, then acquired the Dublin accounting practice of James H. Winn in 1971.
Following this acquisition, Robert E. Thigpen, Jr. joined the firm, and they subsequently formed Jones & Thigpen CPAs on Jan. 1, 1973. In 1980, Thigpen sold his interest in the firm and purchased the assets of its Dublin location, forming what came to be known as Thigpen, Jones, Seaton & Co. PC.
Thigpen, Jones, Seaton & Co. changed its name to TJS & Co. LLC In 2013.