Smith + Howard has acquired Bauknight Pietras & Stormer, P.A. (BPS), widening the Atlanta-based accounting and advisory firm’s footprint in the Southeast and adding a sizable presence in South Carolina as the firm continues an expansion strategy built around a mix of organic growth and targeted acquisitions.
The transaction, announced January 13, 2026, brings BPS, one of the largest locally owned public accounting firms in South Carolina, into the Smith + Howard platform. Financial terms were not disclosed. Following the close, BPS will begin transitioning to the Smith + Howard brand, while clients will continue working with their existing service teams as the combined organization integrates capabilities across audit, tax, advisory, and specialty consulting.
BPS is headquartered in Columbia, South Carolina, and was established in 1991. The firm has nearly 100 certified public accountants and professional staff and serves clients across a range of industries, including insurance, construction and real estate, trusts and estates, hospitality, manufacturing, distribution, professional services, telecommunications, and technology. BPS has also been recognized as a Top 250 Firm by INSIDE Public Accounting.
For Smith + Howard, the addition of BPS is positioned as a strategic step into a key Southeast market and a way to broaden sector expertise across the combined client base. Smith + Howard said the combination enhances its presence in shared industries such as construction, real estate, and manufacturing and distribution, while also extending its reach into BPS’s core focus areas, including captive insurance and telecommunications. The firm also expects the deal to strengthen advisory offerings, including forensic accounting and litigation support.
Smith + Howard Chief Executive Officer Sean Taylor said the acquisition aligns with a long-term growth plan aimed at expanding both geographic reach and service depth. BPS Managing Shareholder Jay Swearingen described the partnership as a way to expand services and resources for clients while supporting long-term opportunities for employees, citing alignment around trust, innovation, and collaborative relationships.
The BPS acquisition follows Smith + Howard’s recent purchase of Horton, Lee & Burnett in Birmingham, Alabama, another move designed to build scale in the Southeast and deepen the firm’s advisory and accounting capabilities. Smith + Howard has been pursuing growth with the support of Broad Sky Partners, which invested in the firm in November 2022 as its first external investor. Allan Koltin of Koltin Consulting Group advised the parties on the BPS transaction.
Smith + Howard provides accounting and advisory services to clients in industries that include construction, distribution, hospitality, manufacturing, nonprofit, real estate, technology, and transportation and logistics. The firm’s offerings span audit and tax services and a variety of specialized capabilities, including international tax, transfer pricing, cyber risk compliance, research and development tax credits, and SOC reporting. Through its Family of Companies, Smith + Howard also provides wealth management, sales and use tax, property tax, management consulting, human capital consulting, and executive search services.
With BPS joining the organization, Smith + Howard is adding a Columbia-based team and expanding sector coverage in insurance-related services and telecommunications, while bringing together advisory specialties that the firms said will support clients as their needs evolve. The company said clients should expect continuity in day-to-day relationships during the branding transition, alongside access to a broader platform of resources and expertise.
KEY QUOTES:
“This acquisition reflects our continued focus on thoughtful, high-quality growth that expands both our geographic reach and our service depth. BPS brings specialized expertise, strong client relationships, and a team that shares our values and commitment to exceptional client service. Together, we are well-positioned to deliver even greater value to our clients while continuing to invest in our people and our platform.”
Sean Taylor, CEO, Smith + Howard
“Joining Smith + Howard marks an exciting next chapter for our firm and our clients. This partnership strengthens our ability to ensure the long-term success of our employees and our clients by expanding the services, resources, and expertise we bring to the table. It aligns us with a firm that shares our commitment to trust, innovation, and collaborative relationships, allowing us to continue delivering exceptional accounting and advisory services while supporting sustainable growth for everyone involved.”
Jay Swearingen, Managing Shareholder, BPS
