Kelly + Partners and BMF Group combine accounting firms

Joining forces: Brett Kelly (left) from Kelly + Partners, Barry Mendel, founder and chairman of BMF Group, and Barry ...
Joining forces: Brett Kelly (left) from Kelly + Partners, Barry Mendel, founder and chairman of BMF Group, and Barry Frank, managing director of BMF Group. Edwina Pickles

The accounting arm of BMF Group is set to join Kelly + Partners as the network's 12th office and first in the Sydney CBD.

The deal, negotiated over the past six months, will see BMF's Sydney office rebrand to Kelly + Partners, although the wealth management arms of both firms will continue to operate independently.

The combined firm, which will have 32 partners and 184 professionals, booked $36 million in accounting and advisory fees last financial year, said Kelly + Partners founder Brett Kelly.

About two-thirds, or $25 million, of the billings were from Kelly + Partners, Mr Kelly said.

"The addition of new technologies and systems we will introduce to the combined business, plus the integration of additional staff will also prove a positive result for clients of both our companies," Mr Kelly said.

The founder of BMF Group, Barry Mendel, will become deputy chairman of the new office, while BMF director Barry Frank will take on the role of managing director.

Earlier this year, Mr Kelly made an unsuccessful bid to buy a stake in Mark Bouris' listed wealth management firm Yellow Brick Road.