Carmel, Ind. (November 7, 2022) – The accounting and consulting firms of Lee R. Ford & Associates (Carmel, Indiana) and Blue & Co., LLC (Carmel, Indiana) have announced their merger, effective November 1, 2022. The combined firm will operate as Blue & Co., LLC (Blue & Co.)
This acquisition will provide Blue & Co. with increased market share in the greater Indianapolis area, while acquiring additional personnel to focus on complementary service areas and niche industry markets.
“We are excited to welcome Lee Ford and his team from Lee R. Ford & Associates to Blue & Co.” said, Brad Shaw, managing director of Blue & Co., LLC. “Lee and his team bring a wealth of experience to our organization, expanding on the already established construction practice, and our newly developed real estate practice. We are always looking for opportunities to grow our organization with like-minded professionals that share our firm values of Responsive, Caring and Advocates.”
Lee R. Ford will join Blue & Co. as a Principal in the Carmel, Ind. office. Ford brings more than 45 years of experience to Blue, working primarily in the areas of construction and real estate. He received a bachelor’s degree from Indiana University after serving in the United States Army and is a member of the AICPA and the Indiana CPA Society.
The combined staff of Blue & Co. and Lee R. Ford & Associates will total more than 480 professionals in 10 offices across 3 states.
“We are ecstatic about this tremendous expansion opportunity,” said Ford, “Our clients will still enjoy the same local, personalized services they value with Lee R. Ford & Associates, but have the benefit of working with a larger network of resources through Blue & Co. To our clients, thank you for imparting your trust and confidence in Lee R. Ford & Associates. We look forward to continuing to serve you.”
To learn more, visit www.blueandco.com/lee-ford-merger.
About Lee R. Ford & Associates
Lee R. Ford & Associates was founded in 1976 by Lee Ford. Ford and his team have more than 45 years of experience serving clients in the areas of construction, real-estate, and privately-owned businesses.
About Blue and Co.
Blue & Co., LLC is an independent accounting and advisory firm with more than 470 people in 10 offices across Indiana, Ohio, and Kentucky. With more than 50 years in operation, Blue & Co.’s public accounting expertise includes the practice areas of assurance, tax compliance and consulting, healthcare consulting, benefit plan services, cybersecurity and data management, valuation and litigation support, and business services. Its industry specializations include manufacturing & distribution, healthcare, construction, nonprofit, technology, financial services organizations, beverage, and agribusiness. For more information, please visit www.blueandco.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
What additional services does Blue provide that I wasn’t able to get with Lee R. Ford & Associates?
Through our affiliates and strategic partnerships, clients at Lee R. Ford & Associates will have access to new services such as:
- Risk management
- Wealth management services,
- General ledger/accounts payable services
- Professional employment organization services (PEO)
- Retirement plan management services
- Investment banking
- Merger & Acquisitions consulting
How will this merger benefit my organization?
Blue & Co is able to offer additional resources not available to Lee R. Ford & Associates including additional experts, resources and technology.
With more than 470 employees in 10 offices, our experts have specializations in the areas of manufacturing & distribution, healthcare, construction, nonprofit, technology, financial services organizations, beverage, and agribusiness.
Why are you merging?
Blue is acquiring the practice of Lee R. Ford & Associates because we believe together we can better serve and address our customer’s needs and challenges through our similar values and a shared client-service philosophy.
We are aware that today’s customers are seeking actionable solutions. Together, Blue & Co. LLC, and Lee R. Ford & Associates can provide greater expertise in the areas of financial consulting, tax, audit, and a wide array of advisory services, to serve our diverse industry markets.
Will my contact stay the same?
Your contact person at Lee R. Ford & Associates may change. Our goal is to maintain the same contact person you are used to working with; however, if there is a change in your contact within the firm, multiple communications will be provided and a virtual or in-person introduction will be scheduled.
Will my rates stay the same?
Rates may vary. Any potential change will be evaluated in the future on a client-by-client basis.
Are you moving locations?
Employees from Lee R. Ford & Associates will begin working alongside their Blue & Co. team in the Carmel, IN office effective November 1, 2022.
The address of this new location will be 12800 N. Meridian St., Suite 400, Carmel, IN, 46032. This office can be reached at 317-848-8920.
Why should I stay through the merger? I am worried about being lost in a big company.
At Blue & Co., LLC, your success is our success. We pride ourselves on bringing the same personalized attention as smaller firms with the additional resources that can deliver you results faster and more efficiently.
Visit our about us page to learn more.
