Two established South Alabama accounting firms have merged into a single practice, expanding their combined footprint across the coastal region.
Crow Shields Bailey PC and McKean & Associates P.A. finalized their merger effective Sept. 1, with the combined firm continuing to operate under the Crow Shields Bailey name. The newly merged practice now provides accounting, tax and consulting services out of offices in Mobile, Daphne and Gulf Shores, giving it a presence across both Mobile and Baldwin counties.
The combined firm will operate with 10 partners and 42 total team members, according to firm leadership. Crow Shields Bailey’s managing partner said the merger was designed to expand the range of services available to clients while aligning with the firm’s longer-term growth strategy.
Leadership from both firms pointed to a shared philosophy around client service as a key reason the merger made sense. McKean’s managing principal said combining the two practices would allow the firm to invest more heavily in its team and make fuller use of its collective expertise to help clients meet their financial goals.
Crow Shields Bailey has served clients in the Mobile area since 1986, building a practice that includes income and estate tax planning, auditing, business consulting, business valuations, litigation support and bookkeeping services. McKean & Associates brought its own long track record to the merger, having operated in the region since 1974.
Firm leaders said the merger is expected to broaden the scope of services available to both firms’ existing clients, combining McKean’s reputation and client relationships with Crow Shields Bailey’s existing service lines. The expanded firm will continue serving businesses and individuals across the coastal Alabama region from its three office locations.
Accounting and professional services mergers have become increasingly common across small and mid-sized markets in recent years, as firms look to combine resources, broaden expertise and compete for larger regional clients. The Crow Shields Bailey and McKean combination reflects that broader trend playing out locally along the Gulf Coast, adding to the roster of professional services firms serving both Mobile and Baldwin county clients from a single, larger practice.
Clients of both firms are expected to see continuity in their existing relationships as the transition unfolds, with the combined leadership team emphasizing that maintaining strong client service remained the top priority throughout the merger process.