People: Derek Kearns, CPA, a partner at Philadelphia-based Centri Business Consulting LLC, has been named the firm’s SEC Financial Reporting Practice Leader … David LaMonte, CFA, ABV, a vice president at Mercer Capital, has earned the right to use the Accredited in Business Valuation (ABV) designation; he specializes in the healthcare sector and provides valuations in support of financial reporting requirements, and consulting and other transaction advisory services.

Firms: Chicago-based Grant Thornton has accepted a significant investment from New York City-based New Mountain Capital; this is the largest private equity transaction in the profession to date … Cleveland-based CBIZ has acquired CompuData, based in Philadelphia, which specializes in offering technology solutions tailored for small and midsize organizations … Atlanta-based Hancock Askew & Co. LLP has merged its advisory practices, Hancock Askew Advisors and Clarity Capital Advisors, under the unified brand of Hancock Advisors … The Kaufman Rossin Group launched a new service line for businesses—Retirement and Executive Benefits—designed to help companies attract, retain, and reward employees of all organizational levels through qualified and nonqualified plans, as well as executive benefits offerings.

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