Crete Professionals Alliance Expands Midwest Footprint with BFJ Acquisition

Event summary

  • Crete Professionals Alliance adds BFJ, a St. Paul-based accounting firm, expanding its Midwest presence.
  • Josh Funk, former BFJ partner and current Crete Chief Development Officer, facilitated the deal.
  • BFJ will maintain its local brand and leadership while gaining access to Crete’s national resources.
  • Leadership transitions at BFJ include promotions for Zachary Varner and Nicholas Katzung, and retirement of Founding Partner David Johnson by year-end 2026.

The big picture

Crete Professionals Alliance continues its rapid expansion by adding BFJ, strengthening its presence in the Midwest after significant growth on both coasts. The deal underscores Crete’s strategy of combining local leadership with national-scale resources, a trend increasingly seen in the professional services industry as firms seek to balance regional expertise with global capabilities. The integration of BFJ’s culture and client base will be critical to Crete’s long-term success in this region.

What we're watching

Midwest Expansion
How Crete’s addition of BFJ will affect its competitive positioning in the Midwest.
Leadership Transition
Whether BFJ can sustain its growth trajectory during David Johnson’s retirement and leadership changes.
Strategic Alignment
The pace at which BFJ integrates Crete’s national resources while maintaining its local culture.

Related topics

Acquisition