Franklin Alliance, the operating company, announced it has partnered with New Bloomfield, Pa.-based firm Robert Morris & Company. This marks the second major partnership for Franklin Alliance since its launch in late 2024, signaling a significant acceleration of its mission to build a national platform of premier local firms.
The partnership comes just months after Franklin Alliance’s inaugural deal with Bement & Company and validates the company’s unique model, which offers smaller firms an alternative to traditional private equity buyouts. Franklin Alliance provides strategic resources for growth, technology and succession planning while ensuring partner firms maintain their local identity and culture.
“The addition of Robert Morris & Company is a pivotal step in our journey and proves the resonance of our approach,” said the Franklin team. “We are demonstrating significant progress in building our platform, and our momentum is growing. We have a clear vision and a strong pipeline of firms eager to join an alliance that prioritizes their legacy and invests in their future. We are not just acquiring firms; we are building a cohesive and supportive national entity that maintains each firm’s identity.”
“In seeking a partner for our future, we were determined to find a model that respected our history and amplified our strengths,” said Robert Morris, president & CEO of Robert Morris & Company. “Franklin Alliance stood apart from all other options I talked to. Their structure allowed for patient capital, more alignment and maintenance of our firm identity and culture. They are truly invested in our long-term success. This partnership gives us the power of a national platform while allowing us to preserve the personal touch and deep client relationships that define us. We are thrilled to join the alliance and contribute to its growing momentum.”
Franklin Alliance’s strategy specifically targets successful firms with under $10 million in revenue, a segment often overlooked by larger investors. The company’s structure provides a more flexible and growth-oriented approach compared to traditional private equity funds.
“With this second transaction, Franklin Alliance is confirming that its unique platform is the right solution for a vital segment of the accounting profession,” commented Allan Koltin, a strategic board member of Franklin Alliance and a leading advisor in the accounting space. “They are quickly becoming the preferred partner for firms that want to solve for growth or succession without getting lost in a massive corporate roll-up.”
