Ascend (Alpine Investors-backed) Adds BiggsKofford to Accounting Platform

Ascend (backed by Alpine Investors) Adds Gollob Morgan Peddy

January 5, 2026

Accounting & Tax

Ascend, a private-equity-backed platform for regional accounting and advisory firms, has integrated Tyler, Texas-based Gollob Morgan Peddy into its platform. The addition brings nine partners and approximately 100 professionals (FY24 net revenue of $17.3 million) to Ascend, expanding the platform's Southwest footprint; GMP will adopt an alternative practice structure with GMP Advisors (affiliated with Ascend) providing tax and business advisory services while attest services remain independently owned and licensed.

Ascend Adds Miami-based KSDT to Its Accounting Platform

September 1, 2025

Accounting & Tax

Ascend, the PE-backed accounting platform supported by Alpine Investors, completed its largest merger to date by bringing Miami-based KSDT onto its platform effective September 1. The merger adds five offices, 29 partners and 276 professionals to Ascend’s southeastern footprint and integrates KSDT’s India team into Ascend’s offshore captive, Sentient Solutions; terms were not disclosed.

Alpine Investors' Ascend Platform Invests in Opsahl Dawson's Nonattest Business

January 30, 2023

Accounting & Tax

Alpine Investors launched Ascend, a platform partnering with entrepreneurial CPA firms, and announced a strategic investment in the nonattest business of Opsahl Dawson. The investment will support Opsahl Dawson’s tax and business advisory practice (Opsahl Dawson & Company Advisors LLC) with capital for talent, M&A and technology to accelerate growth while preserving local firm leadership and culture; terms were not disclosed.

Ascend (Alpine Investors-backed) Adds Walter Shuffain

December 16, 2024

Accounting & Tax

Arlington, Va.-based Ascend, a growth platform for regional accounting firms backed by private equity firm Alpine Investors, will add Boston-based IPA 200 firm Walter Shuffain effective Jan. 1. The deal brings Walter Shuffain’s FY23 net revenue of $30.3 million and 114 professionals (including 13 partners) onto Ascend’s platform and expands Ascend’s footprint into the Boston market; terms were not disclosed.

Pfingsten Launches Ascend Platform with Investments in Rand Group and MicroAccounting

May 22, 2024

Cloud & SaaS

Pfingsten launched a new platform, AscendERP Solutions (Ascend), and invested in Rand Group Solutions, LLC and Maxerp, LLC dba MicroAccounting to create a diversified AI-enabled cloud ERP and CRM services platform. The transactions bring together Rand Group’s Microsoft and NetSuite expertise (Houston) and MicroAccounting’s Sage capabilities (Dallas) to expand implementation, managed services and recurring revenue offerings.

Rubicon Technology Partners Makes Strategic Growth Investment in Ascend Analytics

March 21, 2024

Energy

Rubicon Technology Partners has made a strategic growth investment in Ascend Analytics to support the company’s product development and commercial expansion in energy market analytics. Ascend Analytics, a Boulder-based provider of power market intelligence and forecasting solutions, will leverage the investment to scale its SaaS offerings and expand market reach.