EisnerAmper Takes on Private-Equity Investor, Spins Out Attest Firm

Charly Weinstein on CNBC talking about the private equity deal.

TowerBrook Capital Partners’ infusion “reimagines the traditional accounting firm model.”

By CPA Trendlines

EisnerAmper LLP – one of the profession’s top 20 firms with more than $420 in annual billings, 200 partners, and 1,200 employees – has sold about half the firm to TowerBrook Capital Partners, a private equity fund with big investments in the financial services sector.

As a result, Eisner is splitting into two entities: The legacy EisnerAmper LLP, a licensed CPA firm, to provide attest services, and the new PE-funded Eisner Advisory Group LLC, for business advisory and non-attest services. Terms were not disclosed but TowerBrook has a reputation for taking controlling interests in the companies it funds. Audit and assurance account for about 49 percent of Eisner’s pre-deal billings, with 42 percent from tax and 9 percent in consulting.

“It will be a positive disruptor in the profession,” according to Charly Weinstein, EisnerAmper CEO.  “Rather than conforming to traditional frameworks, adopting a new model of ownership facilitates the best structure for the firm to drive growth and innovative solutions to our clients. Our colleagues will be able to chart a course for success in our purpose-built practice structure.”