GRAND RAPIDS , MICH. - Beene Garter LLP, the region’s largest independently owned accounting and consulting firm, announced today that it is merging with Grand Rapids -based Barrons State Tax Consulting.  With the move, Beene Garter enhances its multi-state tax consulting.

The merger calls for Barrons’ two associates, David Barrons and Michael Lewakowski, to join Beene Garter’s team at the firm’s downtown Grand Rapids location. With the merger, Beene Garter now includes a roster of 16 partners and 65 staff. 

David Barrons, CPA, joins the firm as partner-in-charge of the new Multi-State Tax Group, and Michael Lewakowski, CPA, will serve as the department’s senior tax manager.

“Adding David and Michael strengthens not only our emerging state and local tax practice, but also allows Beene Garter to excel in new areas such as audit and controversy assistance,” notes Beene Garter Managing Partner Tom Rosenbach.  The new practice group will focus on tax laws in multiple states, as well business structuring, nexus services and transaction tax analysis - all important needs for growing companies.  

 “Joining Beene Garter made sense for a variety of reasons,” notes David Barrons. “The firm has solid brand recognition, access to international resources with the Moore Stephens network, and cutting edge technological resources.”

All of Barrons clients are expected to move to Beene Garter. “Our relationships will remain the same with our clients,” Barrons adds.  “But now we have a deeper knowledge pool to draw from to provide greater value to our clients.”

Prior to partnering with Beene Garter, David was the owner of Barrons State Tax Consulting, a local tax firm that specialized in consulting to middle market companies, predominantly in the area of state income, franchise and transaction based taxes.  David’s expertise is multi-state oriented and also includes cross border issues as they relate to state taxes.  Prior to starting his own consultancy in 2006, Barrons served as a tax partner with BDO Seidmen, LLP from 1998 to 2005.

Michael Lewakowski, CPA has 25 years of multi-state tax expertise, in both public accounting and corporate finance.  He has extensive experience with state tax methodology including apportionment theory and state & federal tax differences.  Michael will be working hand-in-hand with David to serve a wide array of clients across numerous industries.