Smith + Howard announced that TPG has signed a definitive agreement to make a significant investment in the accounting and advisory firm through TPG Growth, the firm’s middle-market and growth equity platform. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
The investment marks the next phase in Smith + Howard’s transformation into a scaled national professional services platform. The firm has expanded through a combination of organic growth, strategic acquisitions, and investments in technology and operations alongside Broad Sky Partners.
Today, Smith + Howard employs approximately 800 professionals across Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia. The firm has invested heavily in operational infrastructure, technology capabilities, and talent development, enabling it to scale while maintaining a high-touch client service approach.
Following the transaction, Smith + Howard will continue operating under its existing brand and leadership team. The partnership with TPG is expected to support additional investments in technology, operational infrastructure, talent development, expanded client service offerings, and broader strategic growth initiatives. The company also plans to accelerate the adoption of AI-enabled capabilities to improve workflows, enhance the client experience, and create additional capacity for employees.
Smith + Howard has been recognized as one of the fastest-growing CPA firms in the United States and has continued to move higher in Accounting Today’s Top 100 rankings.
The transaction is expected to close during the third quarter of 2026, subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals.
KEY QUOTES:
“We are incredibly proud of what our team has accomplished over the past several years and are grateful to Broad Sky for their partnership during a critical phase of our evolution. Through a combination of organic growth, strategic acquisitions, and continued investment in our capabilities, we have built a stronger, more diversified platform positioned to serve clients at every stage of growth. We’re excited to begin our next chapter with TPG. Their experience supporting high-growth professional services businesses, combined with their operational and technology expertise, makes them an ideal partner as we further invest in innovation and growing the firm.”
Sean Taylor, Chief Executive Officer of Smith + Howard
“Smith + Howard has established itself as a highly respected firm, defined by strong client relationships, a partner-led culture, and consistent growth. The firm has demonstrated a clear ability to grow thoughtfully while maintaining the service quality and culture that underpin its success. Its approach to growth, particularly its early investments in technology and AI-enabled capabilities, aligns closely with our business-building model and value creation strategy. We are excited to partner with Sean and the team to build on that foundation and support the firm’s long-term growth strategy.”
Max Wein, Business Unit Partner at TPG Growth
“It has been a privilege to work alongside Sean and the Smith + Howard team. Smith + Howard is emblematic of Broad Sky’s investment strategy; partnering with strong management teams in essential, high-growth professional services markets to build larger, more strategically differentiated platforms. Sean and the team executed at every level, and we are proud of this outcome and excited for what comes next.”
Tyler Zachem, Chief Executive Officer and Partner at Broad Sky Partners
