CCR Inks Alliance, Acquisition | CPAs and training options expected to expand at firm

Westborough-based Carlin, Charron & Rosen, Central Massachusetts’ largest accounting firm, just got larger.

The firm recently announced the acquisition of VanceCronin, a Boston-based CPA firm, as well as an alliance with BDO Seidman. In addition, the firm announced a new plan for personnel development that includes free classes in golf and wine appreciation for its 200 employees.

Deal Makers

Financial terms of the VanceCronin acquisition were not disclosed. VanceCronin will be known as CCR and will move from 50 Congress St. in Boston to CCR’s 60 State St. offices. VanceCronin also has an office in New Hampshire. CCR has more than 280 employees in offices in Glastonbury, Conn., and Providence, R.I., in addition to its Westborough and Boston locations.

CCR said the acquisition allows it to expand its client list into specialty practice areas while allowing VanceCronin to continue its practice under a new name.

The BDO Seidman alliance is a separate deal from the VanceCronin acquisition.

David Platt, managing partner at the firm, said the alliance with BDO gives CCR access to all of BDO’s resources, including its expertise in Securities and Exchange Commission rules and regulations.

The firm announced the alliance at a company retreat held May 21 at Gillette Stadium, although it had been finalized on May 1. Employees were given catalogues on BDO training, as well as other options on the softer, “personal” development side. The personal training, offered in a wide range including tennis lessons and sign language classes, is a separate package from the technical training available through the BDO deal.

So, what does wine appreciation have to do with being an accountant? A lot if you ask Platt.

“We want our staff to develop and learn about the world,” Platt said. “When you’re in on a sales call and you need to close a deal, you need to talk about more than just the Red Sox and the Yankees.”

CCR had previously been part of the Leading Edge Alliance, an association of independent accounting firms. CCR has made “a major investment” in BDO for access to the firm’s resources in training and expertise, Platt said. However, he added that CCR is remaining an independent firm. n