Mark Levine, Managing Director, Forvis Mazars

As the accounting industry continues to evolve and client needs change depending on the size of the company or complexity of their needs, accounting firms also need to move with the market to best serve their clients. In an interview with Invest:, Forvis Mazars Managing Director Mark Levine talked about the impact of recent acquisitions and opportunities for growth in the South Florida market. “Now that we have grown from a staffing perspective, we are really hitting the market and pushing the name and the brand, showing what we can bring to the market,” Levine said.

How has your vision evolved since entering the Palm Beach market?
Since joining Forvis Mazars in September 2024, the vision for the Palm Beach market continues to evolve. While Forvis Mazars has a strong legacy, the name itself was relatively new to the South Florida region so a focus has been on building a brand awareness and bringing our unmatched client experience (UCX) to the region. In 2023, Forvis Mazars opened our offices in Boca Raton, laying the groundwork for a broader presence in the area.
When I came on board as Managing Director of our tax group, the goal was to complement the foundation that had been put in place by expanding our tax capabilities. We’ve since grown our teams, both on the assurance and tax sides, and are leveraging off our strong transaction advisory and due diligence teams. Now that we have grown from a staffing perspective, we are really hitting the market and pushing the name and the brand, showing what we can bring to the market.
Strategic acquisitions have played a key role in accelerating our growth. The Mazars combination in 2024 significantly enhanced our global reach and credibility, and acquiring MSL added to our South Florida presence with the inclusion of the Fort Lauderdale office to go along with the overall Florida presence they brought as well.

How have acquisitions improved your competitive advantages in the South Florida market?
The acquisitions have significantly enhanced our competitive position in South Florida by expanding both our capabilities and our reach. MSL, in particular, brought a strong legacy and brand recognition within Florida, especially in key sectors like healthcare. Their deep local relationships and industry expertise have been a natural complement to Forvis Mazars’ domestic and international strengths as well as our commitment to Forvis Mazars unmatched client experience.
Since the merger, we’ve been able to offer MSL’s clients a broader suite of services, many of which they previously may not have had access to. This has created immediate value and opened new doors for collaboration. I’ve worked closely with their team, and while the integration is ongoing, the merger has allowed us to go to market together with a unified message and expanded offerings.
The alignment in industry sector focus, especially in healthcare and other core sectors, has made the merger not just complementary, but synergistic. It’s allowed us to deepen our presence throughout Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade, and even extend our reach across the state from Orlando to Tallahassee.
Ultimately, these acquisitions have accelerated our ability to deliver our unmatched client experience, strengthened our brand in Florida, and positioned us as a more formidable player in the market.

In what ways has the client base evolved in the midst of these operational changes?
We’ve seen positive growth opportunities in the client base, particularly in terms of international engagement and inbound opportunities. The merger with Mazars has brought a strong global brand to the forefront, and that recognition is resonating here in South Florida. I’ve had multiple conversations already with businesses, especially those familiar with Mazars overseas, who are now looking to establish a presence in the U.S. and see Forvis Mazars as a trusted partner.
This global connectivity has been a game-changer, especially on the tax side. Our international tax team has been able to collaborate across borders to support these clients, offering a depth of expertise that has been extremely important to our growth in Palm Beach and the whole of South Florida. These operational changes have allowed us to better serve companies with both domestic and international footprints, which is particularly relevant in South Florida’s diverse and globally connected business environment.
As a result, we’re not only expanding our client base geographically, but also diversifying it across industries and service needs. The evolution reflects a broader shift toward more complex, cross-border engagements, something our expanded platform is well-equipped to handle.

Which industry verticals in the local market may present new opportunities for growth?
One of the most promising areas for growth in South Florida is our Private Client Services practice. Palm Beach, in particular, has a high concentration of high-net-worth individuals, many of whom have relocated to Florida in recent years. We’re actively investing in expanding this service line by building out the right team and deepening our capabilities to meet the complex needs of this demographic. We already have strong talent in place across the state, and we’re focused on scaling that presence locally.
From an industry perspective, our current team has expertise in a variety of sectors including alternative investments, asset management, real estate, as well as nonprofit sectors such as healthcare and higher education. While these sectors align well with our existing strengths the firm as a whole offers significant opportunities for deeper market penetration.
I feel one of the things that sets us apart is our ability to deliver our unmatched client experience seamlessly across geographies. While maintaining a local touch is essential, our national and global reach allows us to bring specialized expertise from across the firm to support clients here in South Florida. This integrated approach is helping us build stronger relationships and deliver more comprehensive solutions.

What is the approach when it comes to servicing high-net-worth clients?
Our approach to servicing high-net-worth clients is comprehensive and highly tailored. We offer a full suite of services designed to meet the complex needs of this segment, from tax planning and compliance to wealth management and estate consulting.
Our team has worked closely with private equity-backed family offices as well as individuals with sophisticated financial structures. Our transaction advisory teams can support buy-side and sell-side advisory and due diligence, which is especially valuable for clients either expanding or looking for an exit strategy.
Expanding from our tax capabilities, we have a robust wealth management practice as well as estate planning, and strategic consulting. The ability to integrate these services seamlessly, providing a holistic experience that aligns with each client’s long-term goals is how we work to bring the unmatched client experience commitment to each engagement.
Our multidisciplinary team ensures that high-net-worth individuals receive proactive, forward-thinking advice, whether they’re navigating generational wealth transfer, cross-border tax issues, or investment strategy. It’s a relationship-driven model built on trust, expertise, and continuity.

What entails attracting and recruiting top accounting talent in today’s job market?
Attracting top accounting talent today requires a multi-faceted approach that goes beyond just competitive compensation, though that remains a strong factor. We’re committed to staying market-aligned on pay, but we also emphasize what sets us apart culturally and structurally. One of our distinctions is our employee value proposition. This proposition is built around creating strong experiences together. We want everyone to find meaningful work with opportunities to grow, and a culture founded with connection and purpose. Forvis Mazars is also still a partner-owned firm and while the industry has been exploring various other models including private equity our firm still feels that the partnership model is right for us and may help us in attracting experienced talent looking for the culture and long-term client relationships that our employee value proposition provides.
We’re also investing heavily in early talent development. With the growing trend of fewer students entering the accounting profession, we’re focused on engaging with local colleges and universities to promote the value and evolution of the industry. It’s about planting the seed early and showing students that accounting today is dynamic, tech-enabled, and full of opportunity.
Ultimately, our strategy combines competitive compensation, a compelling ownership model, and a strong presence on campuses to build a sustainable talent pipeline. We’re not just recruiting but we’re educating, engaging, and building long-term relationships.