Moore Colson :: About

The History of Moore Colson

Since the founding of Moore Colson in 1981 by Greg Colson and Jack Moore, the firm has been committed to building wealth and security for our clients by providing traditional accounting and consulting services to closely held businesses. As a mid-size accounting firm in the Southeast, Moore Colson has had a history of steady growth from the beginning days when our first office was located on Peachtree Street in Atlanta, and housed a staff of two professionals, one book-keeper and one receptionist.

As Moore Colson began to grow in numbers and experience, our service offerings also began to expand throughout the 1980s and 1990s. In 1985 Tim Ayres joined the firm to continue developing the consulting practice and later became the first partner to join the original, founding partners. In 1989 Bob Kiser joined the firm full-time and as a Certified Financial Planner began developing the financial planning side, which later evolved into Moore Colson Financial Services in 1998. In 1991 and 1993 Bert Mills and Todd McMullen brought in their expertise from working with “Big Five” accounting firms. And, in 1993 Bob Kiser and Bert Mills became partners with Todd McMullen becoming a partner by 1997.

From 1998 to 2000 Moore Colson doubled revenue while maintaining a 25% annual growth rate. The number of employees reached 35 and the new service line of Information Technology was established. Also during that time, the firm saw continued growth in the Lender Services area, which was established in 1994, and the financial planning area, which began in 1989 and continued to expand into the formal name of Moore Colson Wealth Management. In the summer of 2000, the firm underwent a brand identity process and evolved with market differentiation through an integrated marketing program resulting in consistent communication and positioning. In 2002 Jason Birmingham was promoted to partner. In 2006 Phil Booth was promoted to partner. In 2007 Bret Roy and Mike Anderson were promoted to partners. In 2008 Steve LaMontagne was named partner of the firm’s Real Estate Practice. In December 2008, Andy Starnes and Chris Arnone were promoted to partners, and Bob Kiser was named Managing Partner. In December 2010, Steven Murphy was promoted to partner, and in 2012, Jena DiGiacomo was promoted to Partner.

In 2001, Moore Colson earned two Bowman All-Star designations in Bowman's Accounting Report for Fastest Growing Firms (ranked 9th with 32.5% growth) and for Percent of Revenue from Management Consulting and Other Services (Moore Colson ranked 7th with 59.8% of revenue generated from MCS/other). In October 2002, for the second time Moore Colson received a Silver Medal in Bowman’s "Best of the Best" list. In 2005 Moore Colson was named as one of the Best of The Best Firms by Inside Public Accounting (IPA), and placed #1 for highest percentage of revenue in Management Consulting Services. Moore Colson was also named an A+Employer, Best Places to Work by the Atlanta Business Chronicle. In 2006 Moore Colson was named one of America’s Top 25 Accounting Firms by Inside Public Accounting (IPA). In 2007, 2008 and 2010, Moore Colson was named one of the Fastest Growing Atlanta Firms by the Atlanta Business Chronicle. In 2011, Moore Colson was named a Top Workplace by the Atlanta Journal Constitution.

In June 2004, Greg Colson, was named Chairman of the Board for IGAF Worldwide, North America and Board Member and Treasurer for IGAF Worldwide. In June 2006, Greg Colson was re-elected as Chairman of the Board for IGAF Worldwide, North America. IGAF Worldwide is an international association of independent local and regional firms of Certified Public Accountants, Chartered Accountants, or their professional equivalents. In 2011, IGAF Worldwide merged with Polaris International and Fidunion International to form IGAF Polaris for the purpose of providing members and their clients with the capability of furnishing a broad spectrum of accounting, auditing, and management services on an efficient and cost effective basis around the globe. IGAF Polaris has 800 offices in 85 countries, 17,000 staff worldwide, including 2,200 partners, and $2.3B in combined annual revenue.

As of 2011, Moore Colson has a total of 14 partners, over 70 employees and is listed as one of Atlanta’s Top 20 Accounting Firms according to the Atlanta Business Chronicle. We remain focused on our clients’ needs and continue to develop quality, timely and innovative solutions.