Katy Vaninger joins the St. Louis-based, international consulting firm Golden Marketing Inc. as a Marketing Associate. She was offered a full-time position following her successful summer internship with the firm. In her new role, Vaninger writes press releases, researches and drafts copy for clients' electronic and print collateral, and manages several websites.

The Atlanta office of public accounting firm Carr, Riggs & Ingram, LLC, one of the Southeast’s top four accounting and business consulting firms and a top 40 firm nationally, has announced that Jody Lappi has been promoted to manager.A resident of Atlanta and native of Memphis, Tennessee, Lappi joined the firm in 2005 after working with a public accounting firm in Charlottesville, Virginia. She holds a B.B.A. degree in Accounting from the University of Memphis and her CPA designation in Georgia.

BIK & Co, LLP, a member of the Russell Bedford International network, announces a series of mergers with other Chicago-area CPA firms.Following the completion of mergers with three other local CPA firms, Russell Bedford's Chicago member, BIK & Co, LLP, has grown into a 10-partner practice.The firm now has more than 50 personnel at its offices in Libertyville and Palatine, Illinois.In February 2008, Folisi, Samz & Company of Schaumburg, IL and Soprano & Associates Ltd. of Arlington Heights, IL joined BIK. Then in June, BIK merged with Bayer, Kolof & Lev of Northbrook, IL.

Davis, Keller & Wiggins, LLC (DKW) a rapidly growing accounting firm located in the Westport area of St. Louis is joining LarsonAllen LLP (LarsonAllen), a nationally recognized top 20 firm on November 1, 2008. "Our clients will benefit from the broader array of services available through LarsonAllen," states DKW partner Dave Wiggins. "We'll be able to offer additional industry expertise, leading-edge consulting, and advisory services.""Both of our firms share an industry specialization in dealerships," adds DKW co-founder Dave Keller.

The Nashville Business Journal has named the Health Care Heroes for 2008. Included on the list was Bill Siren, a partner in the Healthcare Consulting division of Lattimore Black Morgan & Cain, PC.Bill was named a Finance Champion and was recognized at a luncheon on September 19.

Oklahoma CPA firms Hogan & Slovacek and Tullius Taylor Sartain & Sartain (TTSS) have announced plans to merge their operations effective January, 2009. The resulting firm will be named HoganTaylor LLP and will have 165 employees.Hogan & Slovacek has offices in Oklahoma City and Tulsa; Tullius Taylor Sartain & Sartain, has offices in Tulsa and Fayetteville, Arkansas.

KPMG LLP, the U.S. audit, tax and advisory firm, has announced that Nicole Crighton has joined its State and Local Tax (SALT) practice as a principal. Crighton is based in KPMG’s New York office. In her new position, Crighton will help grow the firm’s SALT practice’s client base and provide its existing clients with a broader set of KPMG tax services. In doing so, she will work closely with KPMG partners and professionals in other Tax service lines and collaborate with the firm’s Audit and Advisory practices.

David Brewer has joined the Atlanta office of public accounting firm Carr, Riggs & Ingram, LLC, one of the Southeast’s ‘Top Four’ accounting and business consulting firms and a top 40 firm nationally, as a staff accountant at the rapidly-growing firm.At CRI, Brewer will provide accounting services and support to a range of private and publicly traded companies, including not-for-profit organizations, travel and hospitality organizations, manufacturing and distribution companies, and other closely-held businesses.

Eugene, Oregon-based Kernutt Stokes Brandt & Co. LLP (KSBC) recently announced the addition of Bryce C. Wilberger, CPA and Joshua M. Kinsley to its professional staff.Wilberger serves as an associate in the accounting and assurance department. In his new role, he will perform audits, reviews and compilations, forensic accounting, and fraud examinations, and litigation support for the firm’s clients.