EisnerAmper's Digital Leap: Acquires MLCworks to Forge Holistic Future

NEW YORK, NY – January 15, 2026 – Global business advisory firm EisnerAmper has announced the integration of MLCworks, a specialized digital marketing and growth advisory firm, in a combination that closed in early January. The move brings the Louisiana-based agency and its suite of digital services under the umbrella of one of the world's largest consulting firms, signaling a significant strategic step toward building a comprehensive, end-to-end client service model.

A Strategic Pivot Beyond Accounting

This combination is far more than a simple expansion; it represents a calculated pivot in EisnerAmper's long-term growth strategy. Fueled by a major 2021 private equity investment from TowerBrook Capital Partners, the firm has been on an aggressive M&A trajectory. That investment was explicitly intended to "accelerate the evolution of service offerings" and fund strategic expansion. While many of its acquisitions in recent years have focused on expanding its geographic footprint by absorbing traditional accounting practices across the U.S., the integration of MLCworks points to a more profound diversification.

This isn't the firm's first foray into technology. The prior acquisition of IT consulting firm ZenTek Data Systems laid some groundwork, but bringing a full-service digital marketing agency into the fold is a more declarative statement. It directly addresses the market's demand for advisors who understand not just the balance sheet, but also the digital battlefield where modern businesses compete for growth.

Dan Gardiner, Managing Partner of Outsourced Solutions at EisnerAmper, framed the move as a cornerstone of this evolving philosophy. "This move further solidifies our philosophy of providing a truly holistic approach to clients' needs—whether that need is international tax planning or creating a state-of-the-art website or growth plan," Gardiner stated in the announcement. This vision transforms the firm from a provider of discrete services into an integrated growth partner.

The Rise of the One-Stop Advisory Shop

EisnerAmper's acquisition of a digital marketing specialist is a direct response to a seismic shift in the professional services landscape. The era of siloed consulting is fading, replaced by client demand for a single, trusted partner who can navigate the complexities of both financial compliance and digital-first market strategies. This trend toward "holistic advisory" is not unique to EisnerAmper; it's a competitive imperative.

The industry's largest players, including the Big Four—Deloitte, PwC, EY, and KPMG—have been aggressively building out their digital transformation capabilities for years, often competing directly with traditional IT and management consulting giants like Accenture and Capgemini. These firms have recognized that digital strategy, customer analytics, and marketing engagement are no longer peripheral activities but core drivers of business value. By acquiring or developing these capabilities, they aim to offer seamless, end-to-end solutions that guide clients from initial strategy through to technological implementation and market execution.

In this hyper-competitive environment, standing still is not an option. The integration of MLCworks allows EisnerAmper to compete more effectively for clients who expect their advisors to be fluent in the languages of SEO, data-driven advertising, and online brand management as well as tax law and audit procedures. It’s a move to ensure relevance and capture a larger share of client spending in a world where digital presence is inextricably linked to financial performance.

Integrating Digital DNA

At the heart of this combination is MLCworks, a boutique firm founded in 2013 by Lauren Lightfoot. Based in Metairie, Louisiana, the small but agile team carved out a reputation for being "Digitally Focused. Creatively Driven. Tech Savvy. Always Evolving." Before joining EisnerAmper, MLCworks provided a sophisticated suite of services including strategic planning, brand development, custom web design, SEO, and online reputation management.

With deep experience in sectors like healthcare, legal, and retail, MLCworks differentiated itself by focusing on data-driven insights and integrated campaigns that combined various digital marketing disciplines to drive measurable results. Their approach was not just about executing tasks but about becoming a creative and strategic partner to their clients.

This ethos appears to be a key factor in the combination. "Similar to EisnerAmper, MLCworks is passionate about using data-driven insights, a strategic approach, and leading-edge optimization to ensure that every engagement not just meets but exceeds expectations," said Lightfoot, now a part of EisnerAmper. She highlighted a "great symbiosis between our two growing firms," suggesting a cultural and philosophical alignment that both parties believe will be crucial for a successful integration. The goal is to infuse EisnerAmper's massive scale and resources with the specialized digital creativity and technical acumen that defined MLCworks.

Merging Cultures and Capabilities

The true test of this combination will lie in the integration of two vastly different organizations. Bringing a nimble, seven-person digital agency into a global behemoth with approximately 4,700 employees and 475 partners presents both immense opportunities and significant challenges. The primary opportunity is synergy: leveraging EisnerAmper’s extensive client base to offer MLCworks' high-value digital services at scale, creating a powerful new revenue stream and a more robust value proposition.

However, the challenge of cultural integration is substantial. The processes, pace, and creative freedom of a small agency can be at odds with the structured, compliance-driven environment of a large advisory firm. Past M&A activity within the industry has shown that successfully merging a creative digital culture with a traditional corporate one requires deliberate effort and strong leadership. Retaining the key talent and entrepreneurial spirit that made the smaller firm successful is paramount.

While leadership expresses optimism, historical precedent within EisnerAmper's own rapid expansion suggests that acquired teams often must adapt their methods to the larger firm's established procedures. The success of this venture will depend on EisnerAmper's ability to create an environment where the digital innovators from MLCworks can not only maintain their agility and creativity but also amplify it with the resources of a global leader. The combination is a bet that the future of business advisory lies not in separate disciplines, but in a unified force that can build, manage, and grow a client's entire enterprise, from its financial foundation to its digital frontline.

The move will be watched closely by the industry, as it serves as a prominent case study in the ongoing consolidation and diversification of professional services. How effectively EisnerAmper harnesses the digital expertise of its new colleagues will likely influence its competitive standing for years to come and may set a new benchmark for what it means to be a full-service advisory firm in the modern era.