Baker Tilly Taps Eric Miles as CEO to Helm $7B Post-Merger Powerhouse

CHICAGO, IL – January 07, 2026 – Baker Tilly has officially entered a new era, announcing today that Eric Miles has taken the helm as chief executive officer. The move, which follows the firm's transformative combination with Moss Adams last year, sees Miles succeed Jeff Ferro in a carefully planned leadership transition designed to steer the newly enlarged entity through a period of significant industry disruption.

Miles steps into the top role just seven months after the landmark merger, a deal valued at approximately $7 billion, which created the sixth-largest advisory CPA firm in the United States. His immediate focus is to harness the combined strengths of the two legacy firms to redefine service for the middle market, a segment facing unprecedented challenges and opportunities.

A New Giant Forged from Combination

The leadership change is the capstone of a monumental year for Baker Tilly. The combination with Moss Adams, which was announced in April 2025 and finalized on June 3, 2025, was not merely an acquisition but a strategic fusion of two industry powerhouses. The deal, backed by significant additional investment from private equity firms Hellman & Friedman (H&F) and Valeas Capital Partners, created an advisory and accounting giant with roughly 11,500 professionals and over 1,000 partners.

The strategic rationale was clear: to create an unmatched force in the mid-market. The combined firm, which operates under the Baker Tilly brand, is now positioned as the second-largest firm focused on this segment, trailing only RSM. Both firms explicitly stated their goal was to get "better, not bigger," avoiding direct competition with the "Big Four" for Fortune 1000 clients. Instead, the focus is on providing deeper industry specialization and broader geographic reach to fast-growing mid-sized businesses.

The merger brought together complementary strengths. Moss Adams contributed a robust technology consulting practice and a dominant presence on the West Coast, while Baker Tilly brought deep expertise in real estate advisory and a strong national footprint. This synergy is expected to drive significant cross-selling opportunities and enable the firm to offer a more holistic suite of services. The combined entity is now aiming for an ambitious $6 billion in annual revenue by 2030, building on a collective 2024 revenue of over $3 billion.

“I’m honored and excited to lead Baker Tilly at a moment when our clients face accelerating change — from economic conditions and a changing supply chain environment to digital disruption and talent pressures,” said Miles in the official announcement. “My focus is on ensuring Baker Tilly continues to bring the right capabilities, talent and perspective to support clients as they adapt and pursue growth.”

Miles's Vision for a Disruptive Era

Eric Miles is no stranger to leading large, complex organizations. He comes directly from the CEO position at Moss Adams, where he was instrumental in steering the firm and championing the combination with Baker Tilly. His career, which began in public accounting in 1997, includes extensive experience in operations, compliance, and information technology. Before becoming CEO, he led Moss Adams's entire consulting services organization, overseeing more than 50 distinct practice areas.

As the new CEO of the combined entity, Miles has signaled his intent to focus on execution and integration. His stated priority is to align the firm's strategy and operations to drive disciplined growth while maintaining the high service standards and distinct cultures of both legacy firms. He inherits an organization purpose-built to address the key challenges of the modern economy.

The "accelerating change" Miles referenced is a reality for the professional services industry. Firms are grappling with the need to invest heavily in technology and AI, navigate a fierce war for talent, and guide clients through volatile economic conditions and fragmented global supply chains. The merger and Miles's appointment are a direct response to these pressures, creating a firm with the scale and expertise to invest in innovation and attract top-tier professionals.

“Eric brings the experience, perspective and leadership style the firm needs at this moment, and his appointment reflects our continued commitment to investing in talent, innovation and long-term client success,” noted Blake Kleinman, partner at Hellman & Friedman and chair of the Baker Tilly Advisory Group, LP board of directors.

Continuity in Leadership and Strategy

The transition has been deliberately orchestrated to ensure stability. Outgoing CEO Jeff Ferro, who led Baker Tilly through the private equity investment and the complex Moss Adams combination, will not be departing entirely. He will continue to serve on the Baker Tilly Advisory Group, LP board of directors, a move that signals a commitment to continuity and leverages his deep institutional knowledge during the critical post-merger integration phase.

Ferro’s legacy is defined by his strategic vision in transforming Baker Tilly into a major player backed by significant institutional capital. He recognized the consolidation trend sweeping the industry and acted decisively to position the firm for future growth.

“For more than 20 years, Eric has delivered exceptional leadership,” Ferro stated. “He understands what our clients and our people need as the firm continues to evolve, and I have full confidence in his ability to lead Baker Tilly forward. It has been a privilege to serve as CEO, and I’m excited about what lies ahead for the firm.”

Ferro's continued presence on the board is seen as a key stabilizing factor, ensuring the strategic vision that underpinned the merger is carried forward. This approach to succession planning is designed to provide confidence to clients, partners, and the firm's 11,500 employees that the transition will be seamless. As the largest firm in the accounting industry to be partly owned by private equity, this stability is crucial for investor confidence. Under Miles's leadership, the firm will now work to fully realize the potential of its new scale, strengthening its execution and scaling its operations effectively to meet the evolving needs of its core mid-market clientele.