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Ascend, a strategic partner for regional accounting and advisory firms backed by private equity firm Alpine Investors, today announced the addition of GreerWalker, headquartered in Charlotte, NC, to its market-leading platform for regional accounting firms.
GreerWalker is a full-service accounting and advisory firm serving clients across the Southeast and nationally. The firm, which reported $46.8M in revenue in 2025, is an Accounting Today Regional Leader in the Southeast, has been named an Inside Public Accounting “Best of the Best” firm for eleven consecutive years, and has consistently been named an IPA Top 200 firm (ranked at #128 in 2026). The deal adds 16 partners and approximately 135 staff to Ascend’s platform.
“Few regional firms possess the reputation that GreerWalker has earned when it comes to client service: problem solvers who are personal, comprehensive, vigilant, and proactive,” said Nishaad (Nish) Ruparel, Ascend’s President. “What’s more, the firm has become one of the more fulfilling places to work in the profession’s middle market by pursuing excellence in both expertise and client service. GreerWalker is partnering with Ascend because it recognizes an opportunity to lean into transformation, while holding total conviction that its own best days are ahead. ”
“What drew us to Ascend was its vision of bringing together high-performing firms without losing the unique culture and relationships that make each one special,” said Jonathan Mangels, CEO of GreerWalker. “GreerWalker has spent decades building trusted client relationships and a people-first culture, and it was important to find a partner that values those same principles. The timing couldn’t be better as we look to invest in our team, expand our capabilities, and position the firm for long-term success. Joining Ascend enables us to preserve everything that has made GreerWalker successful while creating even greater opportunities for our people and clients in the future.”
“GreerWalker’s ethos of exceptional service is immediately apparent in its long-standing client relationships, its team-oriented service model, and its deep investment in its people. We are proud to support GreerWalker as it builds on all that has made the firm special over the past four decades, and we’re thrilled for what’s ahead,” said Jamie Billings, Ascend’s Head of Platform M&A.
As is common in private equity deals, GreerWalker will adopt an alternative practice structure, separating its non-attest and attest services. Effective September 1, 2026, the firm’s tax and advisory services will operate as GreerWalker Advisors, LLC, with attest services provided by GreerWalker Attest, PLLC. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Ascend was launched in January 2023 with the backing of private equity firm Alpine Investors. The platform enables regional firms with committed leadership, great cultures, and a big vision for the future to remain independent while accessing the sophisticated resources of a national firm to reach their full potential.
Since inception, Ascend’s partner firms have been among the most decorated in public accounting. According to Accounting Today, a record 8 Ascend partner firms appeared on the Top 25 Fastest-Growing Firms list across 2025 and 2026, and 14 Ascend partner firms were represented on Accounting Today’s latest Regional Leaders list. In total, Ascend ranked No. 24 on Accounting Today’s 2026 Top 100 Firms and No. 3 on the 2026 Fastest-Growing Firms list.
Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
About Ascend
Backed by private equity from people-focused Alpine Investors, Ascend is building a dynamic platform for regional accounting firms that enables them to stay independent while accessing the resources of a national firm to help them grow. Ascend provides access to growth capital, robust talent acquisition and training, best-of-breed technology, proprietary AI tools, leading quality management resources, an offshore captive, shared back-office services, a catalytic leadership system, and modernized equity incentives so that firms can surmount today’s industry challenges to reach their full potential. For more information, visit www.ascendtogether.com.
About GreerWalker
GreerWalker LLP provides tax, accounting, and advisory services focused on the needs of privately-held middle-market companies and their owners throughout the US and around the globe.
Carolinas-Based
GreerWalker is proudly rooted in the Carolinas, where our deep regional experience and strong community ties have helped us become one of the largest CPA firms in the area. With over 150 associates, we are one of the ten largest CPA firms in our region and among the top 130 CPA firms in the United States. We have repeatedly been recognized as one of the nation’s “Best of the Best” accounting firms by Inside Public Accounting based on our overall superior financial and operational performance.
Relationship-Driven
At GreerWalker, relationships are the foundation of everything we do. Outstanding service and innovative problem solving are our top priorities at every stage of our clients’ life and business. As an independent, owner managed firm we understand the needs of our clients. Through our affiliate, GreerWalker Corporate Finance, LLC, and our strategic partner, Choreo, LLC*, we offer integrated solutions—from exit planning and M&A advisory to customized wealth planning—designed to grow with our clients and their goals.
U.S.-Delivered
While our roots are in the Carolinas, our reach extends across the United States and around the world. Each engagement is delivered by our U.S.-based team, providing clients with a consistent and familiar experience. Our global network offers additional expertise we can draw upon when client needs call for international coordination or specialized capabilities. This flexible model allows us to serve a diverse client base—domestic and international—with responsiveness and respect for regional preferences.
CLIENT SERVICE AND INNOVATIVE PROBLEM SOLVING FOR EVERY STAGE OF LIFE AND BUSINESS
For more information, please visit greerwalker.com.
*Choreo, LLC is an investment adviser registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Registration as an investment adviser does not imply a certain level of skill or training of the adviser or its representatives.
