Aprio Expands Unclaimed Property Compliance with JMS Advisory Group Acquisition

Aprio Expands Its Service Capabilities Through JMS Acquisition

On March 4, 2025, Aprio, the 25th largest business advisory and accounting firm in the United States, announced a strategic acquisition of JMS Advisory Group, LLC, a firm renowned for its expertise in unclaimed property compliance and the development of associated processes. This acquisition marks a significant milestone in Aprio's ongoing expansion efforts to cater to the evolving needs of its clients.

Founded in 2006, JMS Advisory has established a strong industry presence, providing essential services that help organizations manage unclaimed property compliance effectively. With a seasoned team of 14 professionals, including attorneys, certified public accountants (CPAs), and certified fraud examiners (CFEs), JMS brings over a century of combined experience in the financial and regulatory landscape. Their diverse client base spans numerous sectors, such as finance, healthcare, insurance, and hospitality, emphasizing the firm’s role in mitigating risk and leveraging opportunities through diligent management of unclaimed property.

Richard Kopelman, CEO of Aprio, highlighted the strategic nature of this acquisition, stating, “As Aprio continues its rapid growth, we are committed to expanding our services to meet the evolving needs of our clients. The addition of JMS gives us the opportunity to continue strengthening our position as a future-focused advisory firm.” This sentiment reflects Aprio's vision to not only grow but enhance its advisory capabilities to deliver more impactful solutions to its diverse clientele.

As part of the acquisition, JMS president and CEO, James Santivanez, along with founder and director, Sherridan Santivanez, will join Aprio as partners. James will leverage his extensive knowledge to guide clients across various industries on unclaimed property issues and state tax matters. He is particularly noted for his adeptness in negotiating amnesty agreements and assisting with compliance solutions that significantly reduce the risk of unclaimed property liabilities. Meanwhile, Sherridan will contribute her expertise in managing complex audits and voluntary disclosures for major corporations.

The integration of JMS's services into Aprio's offerings enhances the firm’s ability to address intricate compliance challenges faced by businesses today. This addition will not only extend Aprio’s existing capabilities but will also empower the firm to provide strategic advisory to navigate an increasingly regulated environment. James Santivanez expressed his enthusiasm about the new chapter with Aprio: “We created JMS to make an impact nationally in the unclaimed property consulting industry, and I'm proud of our nearly 20-year history. Joining with Aprio takes us to the next level, allowing us to build upon our success while providing even greater value to our clients.”

As businesses face the continuous evolution of regulatory environments, the collaboration between Aprio and JMS reflects a broader trend within the industry — the necessity for comprehensive compliance solutions that can adapt to changing legal landscapes. Aprio's commitment to this direction reiterates its long-standing dedication to providing exceptional advisory services to clients at all levels.

The growth of Aprio not only signifies its ambitions within the advisory sector but also sets a course toward a future where firms like Aprio can offer integrated solutions that meet diverse client needs. For additional insights into Aprio's extensive advisory services and ongoing endeavors, those interested can visit aprio.com.

In conclusion, this acquisition serves as a testament to Aprio's forward-thinking approach and strategic positioning in the business advisory landscape, enabling them to deliver more impactful solutions tailored to the complexities of unclaimed property compliance.