Key Takeaways
- • Smith + Howard, a national assurance, tax, advisory and wealth management firm with approximately 800 professionals across seven states, has secured a significant investment from TPG Growth, TPG's middle-market and growth equity platform, with closing expected in Q3 2026.
- • Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed; the deal marks Smith + Howard's second major private equity partnership, following years of growth under existing partner Broad Sky Partners through organic initiatives, strategic acquisitions, and technology infrastructure investments.
- • The investment reflects accelerating consolidation in the accounting and professional services sector, where firms increasingly deploy capital to modernize digital capabilities, expand geographic footprint, and compete for specialized advisory talent amid evolving client demands.
- • Smith + Howard operates across Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia and plans to maintain its existing brand and leadership team, including CEO Sean Taylor, while leveraging TPG's expertise in scaling high-growth professional services businesses.
- • The transaction signals TPG Growth's continued focus on middle-market professional services platforms, aligning with broader private equity trends toward operational scale and service diversification in accounting and advisory sectors.
Summary
Smith + Howard, a nationally recognized professional services firm offering assurance, tax, advisory and wealth management services, has entered into a definitive agreement for a significant investment from TPG, the global alternative asset manager, through its TPG Growth platform focused on middle-market and growth equity investments. The transaction is expected to close in the third quarter of 2026, subject to customary regulatory approvals and closing conditions. Financial terms were not disclosed.
The investment represents the firm's second major private equity partnership. Smith + Howard has expanded substantially over several years through a combination of organic growth, strategic acquisitions, and substantial investments in technology and operational infrastructure under its existing private equity partner Broad Sky Partners. The firm currently operates approximately 800 professionals across seven states: Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia.
According to the firm's leadership, including CEO Sean Taylor, the new TPG partnership is expected to provide additional resources to expand service offerings, strengthen technology infrastructure and pursue strategic growth opportunities. Notably, Smith + Howard plans to continue operating under its existing brand and leadership structure while leveraging TPG's operational experience supporting high-growth professional services businesses.
The transaction reflects broader consolidation trends within the accounting and professional services sector. Firms increasingly pursue private equity partnerships and capital deployment to support technology modernization, talent acquisition and geographic expansion. As client demands evolve and competitive pressures intensify, professional services firms are investing heavily in digital capabilities, specialized advisory services and operational scale to sustain growth trajectories.
This announcement underscores TPG Growth's strategic positioning within the professional services consolidation wave and demonstrates continued institutional investor appetite for scaled, professionally managed accounting and advisory platforms positioned for national expansion.
The investment represents the firm's second major private equity partnership. Smith + Howard has expanded substantially over several years through a combination of organic growth, strategic acquisitions, and substantial investments in technology and operational infrastructure under its existing private equity partner Broad Sky Partners. The firm currently operates approximately 800 professionals across seven states: Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia.
According to the firm's leadership, including CEO Sean Taylor, the new TPG partnership is expected to provide additional resources to expand service offerings, strengthen technology infrastructure and pursue strategic growth opportunities. Notably, Smith + Howard plans to continue operating under its existing brand and leadership structure while leveraging TPG's operational experience supporting high-growth professional services businesses.
The transaction reflects broader consolidation trends within the accounting and professional services sector. Firms increasingly pursue private equity partnerships and capital deployment to support technology modernization, talent acquisition and geographic expansion. As client demands evolve and competitive pressures intensify, professional services firms are investing heavily in digital capabilities, specialized advisory services and operational scale to sustain growth trajectories.
This announcement underscores TPG Growth's strategic positioning within the professional services consolidation wave and demonstrates continued institutional investor appetite for scaled, professionally managed accounting and advisory platforms positioned for national expansion.
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