Accounting Firms Expect Slow or No Growth Next Year

Orange County Business Journal, Jul 21-Jul 27, 2008 by Lee, Jessica C

Michael Moreland continues to run the Newport Beach office as managing partner and reports to Jim Gazi, a regional managing partner for Macias' Southern California offices.

Macias has more than 100 accountants at its offices in Sacramento, Walnut Creek, Oakland, Los Angeles, San Diego, San Marcos and now Newport Beach.

The firm has carved its niche by offering tax compliance, accounting and assurance services for governments and companies in technology, real estate, manufacturing and healthcare.

Macias' clients include the counties of Orange and Los Angeles, John Wayne Airport and the California Public Employees' Retirement System.

Through the years, Macias considered opening an OC office as its local client base grew, according to O'Connell.

Rather than going it alone, the firm opted to acquire Moreland since it already had a strong presence in OC, O'Connell said.

"Culturally and strategically it was a good fit for us," he said. "We want to build on the reputation that Mike Moreland created with his firm."

Macias is looking to its personal services business, which links up businesses with temporary and full-time accountants, to help the firm stand out against competition.

The biggest decliner on the list by number and percentage was No. 12 Irvine-based Redwitz Business Solutions, which saw a 20% drop in local workers to 98.

Senior managing principal Randy Redwitz was not immediately available for comment.

The list saw one newcomer this year.

No. 32 RoseRyan of Silicon Valley counted 30 workers at its Irvine office, the same number as a year ago.

The firm has kept busy in the past year working on mergers and acquisitions, initial public offerings and Sarbanes-Oxley work, said Mike Rose, its chief executive.

This year the firm plans to help companies rework their business plans for a slower economy and gear up for International Financial Reporting Standards, he said.

Firms that closed out the list include No. 37 Link, Murrel & Co. of Irvine, No. 38 Fullerton-based Bates Coughtry Reiss LLP, No. 39 McKennon Wilson & Morgan LLP of Irvine and No. 40 Almich & Associates of Lake Forest.

Link counted about 29 workers, up from 28. Bates saw a 3.4% decline in OC workers to 28 people. McKennon's OC workforce grew 12.5% to 27 workers and Almich saw a 7.1% drop in local workers to 26 people.