Noble Consulting Services Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Katz, Sapper & Miller, a Top 50 Firm based in Indianapolis, said Tuesday that Rector & Associates, an insurance regulatory firm based in Columbus, Ohio, has joined its practice, effective Jan. 1, 2025.

Mark Alberts, founder of Alberts Actuarial Consulting LLC,  has also joined Noble as a vice president to expand Noble’s actuarial services. With the addition of Rector & Associates and Alberts, Noble plans to introduce additional services.

Rector offers transactional, financial, and compliance services for insurance companies, litigation support and expert witness services, regulatory compliance for insurance brokers and agents, and more. Alberts will lead development of an in-house actuarial department at Noble, which will provide financial examination, actuarial analysis, and form and rate review services to regulatory clients, valuation and appointed actuary services to insurers, and more.

Rector & Associates was founded in 1991 and provides insurance regulation and financial solvency consulting. Sarah Schroeder and Ed Dinkel of Rector are joining Noble as managing directors. Neil Rector, who founded Rector & Associates and is a former deputy director of the Ohio Department of Insurance, will provide ongoing consultation services to Noble.

Alberts has provided actuarial consulting services in the life insurance, annuity and supplemental health practice areas since 2008. He and his team of actuaries have worked with Noble on a contract basis for many years.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Sarah, Ed, Neil, and Mark to the Noble team,” said Noble CEO Mike Dinius in a statement. “Their exceptional expertise and client-focused approach are a perfect fit for Noble as we expand our services. Adding an in-house actuarial department is a major step, allowing us to deliver broader, more impactful services to both regulators and insurance companies. This move strengthens our ability to meet the evolving needs of our clients and ensures we remain at the forefront of the industry.”

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, and Noble’s revenue figures were not disclosed either.

KSM ranked No. 49 on Accounting Today‘s 2024 list of the Top 100 Firms, with $144.8 million in annual revenue. Noble employs 70 people. The combination with Rector adds two full-time people — Schroeder and Dinkel — and two contractors, including founder Neil Rector.

KSM acquired Noble in 2021, and it operates as a wholly owned subsidiary. The addition of Rector & Associates and Mark Alberts continues Noble’s growth following integration of the insurance regulatory practices of Johnson Lambert LLP and Eide Bailly LLP in 2023.

Springline Advisory, a financial and business advisory firm backed by the private equity firm Trinity Hunt Partners, has partnered with Fiske Advisory LLC, a South Florida-based business accounting, tax, business valuation and advisory services firm. 

Through the partnership, Fiske will get greater access to the resources of a larger firm. Springline Advisory will in turn expand its firm portfolio with Fiske’s business advisory services such as forensic accounting, litigation support, business valuation and tax.

“Joining forces with Springline Advisory is a natural fit,” said Sheri Fiske Schultz, managing partner of Fiske Advisory LLC, in a statement Tuesday. “Their commitment to delivering exceptional client service and their strong cultural alignment with our values of professionalism, integrity and personalized attention make this partnership a powerful opportunity. Together, we’re excited to provide even greater value to our clients, increase professional development opportunities for our teams, and to build on our legacy of excellence.”

Founded in 1972, Fiske offers litigation support accounting, business valuation, and other specialized services, Fiske is consistently ranked among the top 25 litigation support accounting firms, top local providers of business valuation services, and top women-owned businesses in the region.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Fiske as a Springline founding firm. Their sterling reputation for providing exceptional advisory services, employee-centric culture, and entrepreneurial spirit complement our shared vision for growth,” said Springline Advisory CEO Tim Brackney in a statement. “This combination underscores our dedication to forging strategic partnerships that strengthen the capabilities of traditional accounting firms, allowing us to offer a broader range of services that meet the business demands of today’s dynamic middle market.” 

“My focus in advising Fiske was to find a partner that could really accelerate their growth as an advisory business while continuing to nourish and support their strong culture,” said Gary Thomson, managing partner of Thomson Consulting and advisor on the deal. “Springline Advisory’s strategic approach to growth is impressive. Partnering with Fiske, whose solid reputation in specialized areas like litigation support and business valuation is built on years of experience and deep industry knowledge, positions Springline as a high-impact player in the accounting and advisory space and elevates their competitive advantage as demand in the market continues to grow.”

The announcement follows recent strategic transactions for Springline Advisory with Dallas-based HM&M Advisory, LLC and Clark, Raymond & Co.in Redmond, Washington.

Trinity Hunt Partners, a Dallas-based PE firm, created Springline Advisory last year. The first investment was in MarksNelson, a Kansas-based firm. In addition to MarksNelson, Springline later added Indianapolis-based BGBC Advisory and made plans to expand by adding more firms around the country that serve middle-market clients. 

Insero Advisors LLC, a firm based in Rochester, New York, has received a strategic investment from Rallyday Partners, a private equity firm in Denver, to accelerate its growth and expand its service offerings.

With the investment, Insero plans to enhance its advisory services, integrate advanced technologies into its operations, double down on its “people-first” culture, and broaden its reach across new regions. Insero’s strategy will include partnering with other like-minded public accounting, advisory, and professional services firms and adding more service lines for clients.

Following the closing of the transaction, Insero will operate an alternative practice structure in which Insero & Co. CPAs, LLP, a licensed CPA firm, will provide attest services, and Insero Advisors, LLC, will provide business advisory, tax and other non-attest services. 

“Insero has always been committed to helping our clients succeed by providing solutions that address their unique challenges and opportunities,” said Insero CEO Nancy Catarisano in a statement Tuesday. “We are excited for this next step as we lead the reinvention of the public accounting and consulting industries at a national level. This partnership with Rallyday is going to enable us to get to this vision faster and smarter, and we could not be more thrilled.”

Insero & Company CPAs has frequently been ranked among Accounting Today’s Best Firms to Work For over the past decade. Beyond enhancing client services, Insero plans to continue its investment in its people, offering employees opportunities to learn, innovate, and contribute to impactful projects with a great sense of purpose.

“We are honored and inspired to partner with Nancy and the team at Insero as they redefine what it means to be a modern accounting firm,” said Rallyday managing partner Ryan Heckman in a statement. “Their clients consistently praise the firm’s ability to deliver exceptional results through a unique blend of technical expertise, operational savvy, and unwavering integrity. Insero’s commitment to innovation and personalized service truly sets them apart in the accounting and advisory space. They also share our dedication to the human side of business — prioritizing both employee development and meaningful client relationships — which makes this partnership even more compelling for Rallyday.”