Frequently Asked Questions – Ferrell & Kelly Merger

Why did Ferrell & Kelly, CPAs merge with Hancock Askew?

Hancock Askew & Co. has a strong culture similar to the culture we’ve established at our firm. Both firms have a long, independent history and are service-oriented, client-focused and employee-centric. The stronger practice formed as a result of this merger will better position us to provide tax, accounting, auditing and advisory services throughout the Greater Orlando area and beyond. As one firm, we will still provide local, personalized service, but with the expertise of more than 275 people behind us in offices in Savannah, Atlanta, and Augusta, Georgia, as well as Miami, Tampa and Jacksonville, Florida.

This merger is a key component of the firms’ succession plans. Our firm will now be better prepared to evolve and adapt as client needs change over time. This merger also offers new growth opportunities for our employees, helping to ensure a bright future for years to come. Hancock Askew & Co. is a top accounting firm with strong resources to better enhance the existing services offered to our clients. Merging with Ferrell & Kelly allows Hancock Askew to strategically expand its reach deeper into the Florida market without compromising its core mission of “You First.”

As part of the merger, Tonya Kelly and Steve Yeager will join the Partnership of Hancock Askew as Tax Partners and all Ferrell & Kelly team members will remain on staff.

Will I still have the same accountant?

The service team with whom you’ve been accustomed to working with over the years will stay the same. Relationships are critical in this business and we are committed to maintaining and reinforcing the trust you’ve placed in our firm and our advisors.

Will my rates go up?

Nope! This merger is about uniting our two firms for the purpose of providing our clients with access to a more robust service line and a highly regarded team of industry experts – not raising rates. You will see absolutely no negative changes in the service you currently receive, your fees or your service team unless there are changes in your circumstances or changes caused by a new tax law or issue. You will have a new logo on your invoice, as well as new payment options and instructions.

How will this merger impact me?

Most importantly, the people you know, trust and depend on will be the same people that continue serving you in the future. Your daily interactions won’t change, but you will have access to a more diverse team of professionals with new specialties to better serve you.

There will be new processes and tools available to you as we transition to the Hancock Askew client experience program. We will notify you of these changes when the time comes.

Through this combination, we’ll be able to better serve our clients with enhanced niches and services. Ferrell & Kelly clients will now have direct access to a wider array of services including: financial statement audits, employee benefit plan audits, internal audit, IT risk assurance, transaction advisory and many more. Hancock Askew also offers more robust specialty teams in various industries like manufacturing and distribution, public companies, real estate and construction, nonprofit organizations, technology and franchise businesses.

Will you be changing your location?

Our office in Winter Park, Florida will remain open at our current location: 1400 W. Fairbanks Avenue, Suite 201 Winter Park, FL 32789.

In addition to this location, Hancock Askew also has offices in Savannah, Atlanta and Augusta, Georgia; as well as Miami, Jacksonville and Tampa, Florida.

Will the company have a new name?

Yes! Ferrell & Kelly will now be known as Hancock Askew & Co., LLP (HAC).

How do I contact my accountant?

Our phone number will remain the same: 407.478.6596.

Effective immediately, the email addresses of the Ferrell & Kelly team will change. The new team email addresses are set up in the following way: 

[first initial][last name]@hancockaskew.com

For example, if you would like to contact Tonya Kelly, her new email address is TKelly@hancockaskew.com. Steve Yeager’s new email address is SYeager@hancockaskew.com.

Please update your service team’s contact information.  Our old email addresses will temporarily forward to the new email addresses, and we will alert you when that time period ends.

If you have additional questions, please give us a call at: 407.478.6596