TROY – On April 1, top 40 accounting firm Rehmann and Grandville-based Trivalent Group, a top 100 managed IT service provider, merged to create what Rehmann CEO Randy Rupp described in an interview as Accounting as a Service.

Trivalent Group, with some 85 percent of its 700 business clients outside Southeast Michigan, specializes in managed services, managed cloud, cyber security, managed networks and business continuity. Trivalent Group’s depth will expand Rehmann’s cyber security and technology consulting offerings, Rupp said.

“As the world becomes increasingly technology-driven, Rehmann is focused on staying ahead of our clients’ needs and helping them thrive long into the future,” he said. “The addition of Trivalent Group will bring more core business solutions under one roof, allowing us to holistically serve our clients and help them reach their business goals. Combinations like this will ensure we continue to meet our clients growing business needs and anticipate future demands of businesses at any stage in their lifecycle.” 

Rupp said advancing the client experience was a critical factor in the move to join with Trivalent Group, with both companies having similar customer service philosophies.   

But another big factor was Trivalent Group’s desire to expand into Southeast Michigan. The company has offices in Grandville, Traverse City, Battle Creek, East Lansing and Midland. Now, with the Rehmann merger, Trivalent Group is expanding its services through Rehmann offices in Ann Arbor, Detroit, Farmington Hills, Troy, plus many more in Ohio and Florida.

“Trivalent came to us last summer through a mutual friend and said they wanted to come to Southeast Michigan,” Rupp said. “In our profession, technology is becoming so important for our future. Artificial Intelligence bots are preparing tax returns for the Big Four accounting firms.  IT is becoming integral to where our profession is going. Cyber defense is also a big part of it. Our clients are begging for us to help them fend off cyber attacks, like Ransomware.”

Rupp said Rehmann has been the accounting outsourcing partner for its clients, providing one staff member to an entire department. Now Rehmann can offer services in not only accounting and human resources, but also technology.

“Accounting as a Service,” Rupp said. “Trivalent’s IT fits perfect with that.”

Trivalent Group CEO Andrus will remain with the company for two or three years to help with the transition. Rupp will be CEO of both organizations. Now the merging companies will offer expanded capabilities throughout the Midwest, with a full integration beginning in 2019.

“We are thrilled to partner with Rehmann, and in doing so, we are maintaining the core values essential to our success—a focus on community and exceptional client service,” said Andrus.

The Trivalent Group name, however, will morph over the next nine months into what Rupp calls Rehmann Technology Services. No layoffs are planned.

“We don’t remove staff,” he said. “We find every time we acquire a company there is never enough leadership. We also find people to fill our needs and become leaders at Rehmann.”

Now that Rehmann is in the technology business, Rupp said he’s looking to acquire more managed service providers. He’ll be shopping for ISPs that generate revenue from $3 million to $15 million to further expand the Rehmann Technology Group.

If you think your managed service business fits this criteria, reach out to Rehmann. Rupp wants to hear from you.

To learn more, visit www.rehmann.com and www.trivalentgroup.com.