DHG, BKD merged company names Va. leaders

The merger of Charlotte, North Carolina-based Dixon Hughes Goodman LLP and Springfield, Missouri-based BKD CPAs & Advisor finalized Wednesday, forming Forvis, the name of the new company that the two companies merging formed.

Forvis is a top 10 accounting firm with $1.4 billion in revenue.

“Today is a monumental day as BKD and DHG officially join forces and become FORVIS,” Tom Watson, Forvis CEO and former BKD CEO, said in a statement. “This firm will be truly committed to the meaningful growth of our employees’ careers and ultimate success of our clients. Together, our combined teams will be significantly stronger, empowered by an enhanced focus on the future.”

BKD did not have a presence in Virginia, and DHG had 298 employees in the state. The firm’s Virginia practice is focused on commercial real estate, merchant discount rates and government contracting.

Tom Hazelwood is now the managing partner of the Virginia Practice Unit, which includes Norfolk and Richmond. He previously served as the office managing partner of Norfolk.

Hazelwood has been with DHG since 2003. Before that, he was a partner at Royster Smith Shelton & Co. He holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from The University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

Caleb Vuljanic is the managing partner of the firm’s Tysons office, which serves the Washington, D.C., area. He has been with DHG for six years. He holds an undergraduate degree in business administration and a master’s degree in accounting from The University of North Carolina’s Kenan-Flagler Business School.

Forvis has almost 300 employees in Virginia and more than 5,400 employees total.