Anton Collins Mitchell merges with Wyo. accounting firm

A Denver-based accounting firm with offices in Boulder and Greeley is achieving a more regional footprint in a merger with a Wyoming firm that will expand it to about 140 employees.

Mader Tschacher Peterson & Co. LLC in Laramie, Wyo., will become part of Anton Collins Mitchell LLC early next year after about a year of behind-the-scenes talk and collaboration.

The  firm in Laramie employs about 20, partner Mark Mader of Mader Tshacher Peterscon & Co. said in a phone interview Monday. As of now, Mader expects all employees of both companies to stay on board through the transition.

“We don’t see us losing anybody, yet,” Mader said.

The merger will be good for both entities, he said. For Mader, it will expand his firm’s training and other resources while also enhancing services, especially because Mader doesn’t have partners focusing on either tax or audit but Anton Collins Mitchell does, he said.

Meanwhile, Anton Collins Mitchell will benefit from some general synergies and help expand its influence outside the Front Range.

“It gives them a little more expansion into an area where they’re trying to be a regional firm,” Mader said.

Managing partner Stacey Hekkert of Anton Collins Mitchell called the move a significant strategic step in broadening into a larger Rocky Mountain presence, and therefore made perfect sense.

“Their practice is so complementary to ours,” she said, adding that Mader’s firm is “well-respected and dominant” in Laramie. “Not to insult other firms there.”

Mader will continue to be a partner in the merged firm. Anton Collins Mitchell merged firms in Greeley and Boulder in 2010 and 2012, respectively. It formed in 2002.

Terms of the merger weren’t disclosed, but Mader is optimistic about the results.

“We think it’s going to be really good,” he said. “We’ve already used them behind the scenes, and it’s been good for our clients.”

Hekkert said she isn’t sure if this merger will be the last expansion in Wyoming, acknowledging that others could be possible with the right fit, but no others are currently being planned.

“Whether Wyoming or not, we will definitely do more in the Rocky Mountain region,” Hekkert said. “We’re having fun and growing.”

Anton Collins Mitchell includes offices at 2015 Clubhouse Drive, Suite 203, in Greeley and 4999 Pearl East Circle, Suite 300, in Boulder. The firm has been a sponsor and has verified results for BizWest’s Mercury 100 Fastest-Growing Private Companies events.

Dallas Heltzell contributed to this report.

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