Cherry Bekaert Acquires Richardson Kontogouris Emerson LLP

Acquisition expands Cherry Bekaert's West Coast presence and strengthens its ability to serve middle-market clients in Southern California.

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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Raleigh, N.C.-based accounting firm Cherry Bekaert has acquired the business of Richardson Kontogouris Emerson LLP (RKE), a Torrance, California-based accounting and advisory firm founded in 2006. The acquisition will expand Cherry Bekaert's West Coast presence and strengthen its ability to serve middle-market clients in Southern California.

Why it matters

The acquisition allows Cherry Bekaert to expand its geographic reach and service offerings in the growing Southern California market, providing enhanced value to clients by combining RKE's local relationships with Cherry Bekaert's national scale.

The details

As part of the transaction, Cherry Bekaert Advisory LLC will acquire RKE's business advisory, tax and other nonattest service assets, while Cherry Bekaert LLP will acquire the firm's attest assets. RKE will operate under the Cherry Bekaert brand.

  • The acquisition was announced on February 18, 2026.

The players

Cherry Bekaert

A Raleigh, N.C.-based IPA 100 accounting firm with FY24 net revenue of $658 million.

Richardson Kontogouris Emerson LLP (RKE)

A Torrance, California-based accounting and advisory firm founded in 2006 that provides accounting, tax, financial, litigation support and strategic planning services to clients across industries.

Michelle Thompson

CEO of Cherry Bekaert Advisory LLC.

Christian Emerson

Managing Partner of RKE.

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What they’re saying

“This acquisition marks an exciting step in our Firm's growth strategy. RKE's strong presence in Los Angeles and its commitment to client service align perfectly with our values. Together, we will deliver enhanced value to clients by combining RKE's local relationships with Cherry Bekaert's national scale and expanding our reach in the Western United States.”

— Michelle Thompson, CEO of Cherry Bekaert Advisory LLC

“Joining Cherry Bekaert opens new doors for our clients and team. This strategic partnership gives our clients access to broader resources — from specialized advisory to advanced technology — while continuing to work with the valued RKE professionals they know and trust. We're excited to deliver an expanded suite of services with the same quality and care our clients have come to expect from RKE.”

— Christian Emerson, Managing Partner of RKE

The takeaway

The acquisition of RKE by Cherry Bekaert demonstrates the continued consolidation in the accounting industry as firms seek to expand their geographic reach and service offerings to better serve middle-market clients, particularly in growing markets like Southern California.