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CRI Merges In Morrison & Smith, Expanding Alabama Footprint
Merger Establishes CRI’s Presence in Tuscaloosa, Extending Reach in Western Alabama
TUSCALOOSA, AL /ACCESS Newswire/ September 1, 2026 /Top 25** nationally ranked accounting and advisory firm Carr, Riggs & Ingram (CRI) announced today the addition of Tuscaloosa-based public accounting firm Morrison & Smith, LLP. This merger gives CRI a foothold in Tuscaloosa and broadens its client reach in western Alabama. The Morrison & Smith team will continue to serve clients from their existing office, now operating under the CRI name.
Founded in 1951, Morrison & Smith is among Tuscaloosa’s longest-standing accounting firms. The firm provides audit, review, and compilation services, along with tax planning and preparation, accounting, and business advisory services for individuals and organizations. Its client base includes real estate developers, banks, healthcare providers, and construction companies.
Allan D. Koltin, CEO of Koltin Consulting Group, who advised both firms on the combination, said, “Carr, Riggs & Ingram continues to write the book on how to select great firms and successfully integrate them. They have now completed more than 100 M&A transactions, and I have yet to hear of one that went badly. CRI screens upfront for cultural and strategic fit, as well as any firm I have seen in the country. Morrison & Smith will be a great addition to CRI. Beyond Tuscaloosa being a fantastic market, the firm has outstanding partners and associates and an excellent client base.”
“Morrison & Smith has spent over seventy years building trust with clients throughout West Alabama. Their reputation for integrity and personal service is exactly what we value in a firm,” commented Bill Carr, CRI chairman and founding partner. “Tuscaloosa is an important new market for us, and Barry Burns, Alan Hartley, and Daniel Sutter bring us a strong local team to grow with. We are proud to welcome them to CRI.”
Clients of Morrison & Smith will continue working with their existing professionals at their current location. They will also gain access to CRI’s expanded tax, assurance, and advisory services, as well as specialized teams and additional resources in wealth management, data analytics, business consulting, and fractional CFO services.
This combination follows CRI’s recent growth, supported by investment from Centerbridge Partners and Bessemer Venture Partners in late 2024. The firm’s strategy emphasizes cultural alignment, client retention, and sustained investment in its clients and communities. For additional information, please visit criadv.com.
