Our History
In 1991, Keith Barfield, Don Murphy and John Shank decided to leave a large, local firm to establish a new type of public accounting firm. The goal was to build a workplace that values character, family and life/work balance while creating a professional environment where each individual is treated with respect.
Thirty years later, BMSS has grown into the second largest accounting firm in Alabama with 28 partners, 88 certified public accountants and approximately 230 people across all businesses and offices. Broadly based, BMSS serves clients in the revenue range of $1 million to $50 million. The majority of the firm’s clients are family-owned/operated businesses; however, we work with startups, private equity firms, smaller main street businesses, nonprofits and municipalities, and we serve one of the largest family-owned businesses in the state of Alabama, which operates worldwide with over $3 billion in revenue. BMSS is a member of the prestigious BDO Alliance USA, which allows access to BDO’s tremendous national resources.
Over the last 10 years, BMSS has been consistently named as one of the top places to work by the Birmingham Business Journal and has kept true to its founders’ vision of adding value for clients by fostering an environment of personal and professional fulfillment.
During the last few years, BMSS has had the privilege to merge with two other accounting firms whose values, culture and strengths complemented its own. In January 2018, BMSS merged with Hindsman, P.C. Founded in 1928 by George King in Gadsden, Alabama, brothers Scott and Todd Hindsman became the managing shareholders in 1995 and are now BMSS members, along with Caryn Stark. Widely known throughout Etowah County as trusted advisors and community leaders, the Gadsden office has been a perfect addition to the BMSS family.
The following year, in January 2019, Hall, Albright, Garrison & Barnes (HAGB) joined BMSS to further enhance the firm’s capabilities. A full-service public accounting firm whose team of CPAs and consultants have served the North Alabama area for over 30 years, HAGB offers tax, audit, payroll and bookkeeping services as well as specializing in serving the government contracting community. It was formed in 2009 through a merger of House and Albright, P.C. and Hall and Garrison. With the addition of Greg Barnes in 2016, they became Hall, Albright, Garrison & Barnes, P.C. HAGB’s commitment to quality and excellence in work product and client experience has only served to strengthen BMSS as a whole.
