100 Year-Old Accounting Firm Finishes First Merger

As Dayton, Ohio, public accounting firm Battelle & Battelle celebrates its 100th anniversary in business, firm leaders have announced its first merger or acquisition in company history.

Battelle & Battelle merged with Cincinnati-area accounting firm Rippe & Kingston effective Dec. 1.

“This kind of takes us into a new chapter for our company,” said Charles Foley, managing partner of the new combined firm Battelle Rippe Kingston LLP.

The merged accounting firm has approximately 115 professional, including 60 Certified Public Accountants, with offices in Cincinnati (Mt. Adams), Dayton and Troy.

Battelle Rippe Kingston is now one of the region's largest independent public accounting firms.

“We wanted to expand our geographic footprint and expand it throughout southwest Ohio and the TriState region” of Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio, Foley said. “It also provides more extensive expertise and resources to our clients.”

Both firms provide traditional public accounting firm services.

Battelle & Battelle had additional expertise for tax savings opportunities, economic incentives and grants, training and other tax credit opportunities, state and local tax matters, and international tax expertise, Foley said.

Rippe & Kingston, founded in 1976, had additional expertise in business valuation, business litigation and conflict resolution services, he said.

Customers “should expect to get the same high quality personal service they've become accustomed to. This will allow us to provide additional expertise and resources,” he said. “Both firms have a history of giving back to the community where we work and live. We will continue that commitment throughout our new Southwest Ohio footprint.”

No offices have closed as a result of the merger, and all employees are intact. The firm anticipates hiring additional employees at the beginning of next year.

Ken Schoster is the partner-in-charge of the Cincinnati office.

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