Baker, Peterson & Franklin has been a part of the Fresno community for a century, serving primarily agricultural businesses.

Consulting and wealth management firm Moss Adams, one of the largest in the nation, has announced it will combine with Fresno based full-service accounting and consulting firm Baker Peterson Franklin (BPF).

Starting Jan. 1, 2019, 42 employees from BPF will join Moss Adams, including seven partners and one director, growing the Fresno office personnel to 71.

“We’re proud to combine with such a well-respected accounting firm,” said Chris Morse, partner in charge of the Moss Adams Fresno office, in a statement. “Baker Peterson Franklin is deeply rooted in the agriculture space, perfectly complementing and expanding our existing practice and industry-specific service offerings. The addition of their talented staff grows Moss Adams into the largest accounting and consulting firm in central California.”

Baker Peterson Franklin was founded in Fresno in 1917, celebrating its centennial last year.  It has grown into one of the largest locally owned accounting firms in California’s Central Valley. The firm offers expertise in agriculture, food and beverage processing, auto dealerships, family businesses, tax and estate planning, business consulting and auditing.

“Combining with Moss Adams allows us to significantly broaden our service offerings,” said Kyle Stephenson, managing partner at Baker Peterson Franklin. “We’ll have a greater range of capabilities and resources to bring to our clients while continuing to offer the personalized service our clients have come to expect from us.”

Moss Adams entered the Fresno market in 2016 when it combined with accounting firm Morse Wittwer Sampson LLP. Moss Adams also absorbed professionals from a local Deloitte office that year.