Top 25 accounting and advisory firm Carr, Riggs & Ingram has continued its expansion drive in Texas with the acquisition of Crowl, Cameron & Associates, PLLC, a Conroe-based accounting practice with a legacy spanning more than four decades.
The deal marks another step in CRI’s aggressive growth strategy following the strategic investment it secured in late 2024 from Centerbridge Partners and Bessemer Venture Partners. With the addition of Crowl, Cameron & Associates, the firm has now completed a string of acquisitions aimed at strengthening its presence in high-growth markets across the United States, particularly in the South and Southwest.
The latest transaction adds 12 professionals to CRI’s ranks and further extends its footprint in Texas, where the firm now operates 20 offices across 18 cities. For CRI, the acquisition is not simply about adding another office. It is part of a broader strategy to build scale in markets that combine strong business activity, attractive demographics and long-term demand for sophisticated advisory, tax and accounting services.
Founded in 1989, Crowl, Cameron & Associates has built its reputation serving Montgomery County and the Greater Houston business community. The firm offers a mix of property and sales tax advisory, accounting, tax and business advisory services, with a client base that includes privately held businesses, family offices and high-net-worth individuals. Under the agreement, the team will continue serving clients from its existing Conroe office, now under the CRI brand, preserving continuity for longstanding relationships while gaining access to a wider set of resources and specialist capabilities.
CRI Chairman Bill Carr said the Greater Houston region and Montgomery County represent strategically important growth markets, supported by strong local economies and a diverse business base. He noted that Crowl, Cameron’s long-standing presence and specialist expertise align well with CRI’s values and growth ambitions, while strengthening the firm’s ability to serve clients in one of Texas’s fastest-growing regions.
For Crowl, Cameron, the merger represents a chance to retain its local approach while tapping into a much broader platform. Michael Cameron, Managing Partner of Crowl, Cameron & Associates, said the decision followed four decades of serving the Montgomery County community and was made with clients, employees and the firm’s future in mind. He said the practice chose to partner with CRI because of its commitment to personalized service and local relationships, adding that the merger will allow the firm to expand what it can offer without losing the hands-on approach clients expect.
That balance between local continuity and expanded capabilities is increasingly central to accounting-firm consolidation. As firms face rising technology costs, growing regulatory complexity and heightened client expectations, smaller regional practices are increasingly seeking partners that can provide scale, sector expertise and broader advisory depth without disrupting trusted client relationships.
CRI appears to be positioning itself as one of the consolidators in that environment. The firm says it has now completed seven acquisitions since January 2025 and has expanded into more than 50 markets nationwide. Recent additions have included firms in Indiana, Mississippi, Alabama and several Texas markets including Austin, Lufkin and San Antonio, reflecting a deliberate focus on high-growth geographies.
For clients joining through Crowl, Cameron, one of the key attractions is likely to be access to CRI’s wider service ecosystem. In addition to traditional accounting, audit, tax and consulting services, CRI operates a network of nine specialized portfolio companies covering areas such as investment banking, retirement plan administration, wealth management, data analytics, payroll management, IT audits and professional athlete tax services. That breadth gives local clients the ability to access capabilities that might otherwise be unavailable through a smaller independent practice.
The Texas expansion also reflects the increasing importance of the state as a battleground for professional services firms. With continued population growth, a vibrant middle-market business environment and an expanding concentration of entrepreneurs, family-owned businesses and wealthy individuals, Texas offers fertile ground for firms seeking both organic growth and acquisition opportunities.
For CRI, the Crowl, Cameron deal is another signal that its post-investment expansion strategy remains firmly on course. By combining established local firms with a broader advisory platform and national reach, the company is building a larger presence in markets where long-term demand for accounting and business advisory services remains strong.
As consolidation across the accounting sector continues, the firms most likely to stand out will be those able to offer scale without losing the personal relationships that underpin trust. CRI’s latest Texas acquisition suggests it is betting that regional depth, local leadership and expanded national resources can coexist and become a powerful formula for growth.
