J.H. Cohn LLP, the largest independent accounting and consulting firm in the Northeast, has combined practices with Berenson LLP of New York, NY, effective May 2. The addition reflects J.H. Cohn’s strategy to continue broadening its Northeast presence, while expanding service offerings and combining expertise to best serve middle-market companies in the area.

“Gaining the niche apparel expertise that Berenson has built is critical to enhancing our overall offering,” said Thomas J. Marino, Chief Executive Officer of J.H. Cohn. “For years, partner-level attention and an intimate understanding of the issues facing middle-market executives have been hallmarks of our collective business, and our clients will significantly benefit from these combined resources.”

Marino added, “We’re pursuing opportunities that enable us to best respond to the demand we’re seeing in the middle market. In the near-term, we will explore ways to strengthen our offering in key industries through the addition of similar resources in the New York area.”

Berenson brings to J.H. Cohn solid apparel and import specialization practices, with more than 80 years of experience in those areas. With clients in the furniture, jewelry, building supply, home furnishings, consumer electronics, not-for-profit, insurance and media industries, the firm offers a number of services including audit, tax and management advisory services, estate and gift planning, personal financial and retirement planning, and litigation support. Berenson has more than 40 service professionals.

“We’ve built our business around the special needs of our apparel and other middle-market clients in the tri-state area, and are pleased to augment our accounting services through this strategic combination,” said Stan Joseph, Managing Member, Berenson LLP.

Under terms of the agreement, Joseph will serve as practice leader of J.H. Cohn’s newly formed Apparel and Fashion Group, which will serve companies in those industries by providing services that include formatting financing, business plans, audits, succession plans, and business sales.