Forvis Mazars
Entity Profile: Forvis Mazars
Overview
Forvis Mazars is a top-tier global professional services network formed in June 2024. It operates as a two-firm network, uniquely structured to provide a massive scale of audit, tax, and advisory services while maintaining separate profit pools for its U.S. and international arms.
- Global Revenue: ~$5.7 Billion (2025 estimate)
- Total Personnel: 40,000+ professionals
- Presence: 100+ countries and territories
1. Corporate Structure
Forvis Mazars is not a single global partnership but a network of two primary legal entities:
- Forvis Mazars LLP: The U.S.-based partnership (formerly FORVIS).
- Forvis Mazars Group SC: The internationally integrated partnership (formerly Mazars Group).
Both firms are overseen by a Global Network Board to ensure consistency in service and “Unmatched Client Experience®,” but they maintain distinct ownership and management structures.
2. Formation & History
The firm is the result of rapid consolidation within the accounting industry:
- 2022: BKD, LLP and Dixon Hughes Goodman (DHG) merged to form FORVIS (a portmanteau of “Forward” and “Vision”). This created the 8th largest firm in the U.S.
- 2024: FORVIS and the Paris-based Mazars Group formed the global network. Mazars brought a massive international footprint, while FORVIS provided the necessary U.S. market depth.
3. Key Leadership
| Name | Role | Legacy Firm |
|---|---|---|
| Hervé Hélias | Chair, Global Network Board | Mazars |
| Tom Watson | CEO, Forvis Mazars LLP (US) | BKD / FORVIS |
| Pascal Jauffret | CEO, Forvis Mazars Group SC | Mazars |
| Matt Snow | Vice Chair, Global Network Board | DHG / FORVIS |
4. Industry Specializations
The firm has a heavy focus on the middle-market and specific regulated sectors:
- Public Sector: Extensive work with municipal governments, state agencies, and educational institutions.
- Healthcare: One of the largest healthcare consulting practices in the U.S. (traced back to BKD’s early focus on the 1965 Medicare Act).
- Financial Services: Audit and advisory for community banks and credit unions.
- Energy & Natural Resources: Sustainability and ESG reporting services.
5. Transparency & OSINT Notes
For researchers and journalists, Forvis Mazars is a frequent signatory on Comprehensive Annual Financial Reports (ACFRs) for many U.S. cities.
- Audit Independence: When investigating city contracts, the “Blackout Period” rules mentioned in your Handbook should be cross-referenced with any advisory or consulting services Forvis Mazars may simultaneously provide to that municipality.
- Lobbying: The firm occasionally engages in legislative advocacy regarding tax policy and accounting standards at both the state and federal levels.
6. Public Sector Engagements
Forvis Mazars maintains a robust practice specifically for state and local government audits. In Oklahoma, the firm is frequently engaged by municipalities to conduct independent audits required by the Oklahoma State Auditor and Inspector (SA&I).
Local Case Study: City of Lawton
The firm (under the name FORVIS) was notably engaged to address a backlog of municipal audits for the City of Lawton.
- Audit Recovery: Following significant delays in previous fiscal years, the firm was brought in to complete the FY 2022 and FY 2023 audits.
- Impact: The completion of these audits was a prerequisite for the Oklahoma Tax Commission to release withheld motor fuel tax funds (totaling over $160,000) and for the city to maintain compliance with environmental regulatory bodies like the DEQ.
- Inter-firm Coordination: Forvis Mazars often coordinates with specialized advisory firms (such as Crawford & Associates) that prepare the city’s internal ledgers before the formal audit begins.
Key Service Areas for Government
- Annual Comprehensive Financial Reports (ACFR): Specialized auditing to ensure the city’s financial statements meet GASB (Governmental Accounting Standards Board) requirements.
- Single Audits (Uniform Guidance): Auditing federal grant funds to ensure the city is complying with federal expenditure rules.
- Public School Audits: Forvis Mazars is an approved firm on the Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE) list for performing public school district audits.
Investigative Tip: The Audit Opinion
When reviewing city records in the wiki, look for the Independent Auditor’s Report signed by Forvis Mazars. Pay close attention to:
- Unmodified Opinion: The “clean” standard, indicating financial statements are fairly presented.
- Disclaimer or Qualification: Often indicates that the firm was unable to obtain enough evidence (e.g., due to missing ledgers or poor internal controls), which can be a primary focus for civic accountability reporting.