Connecticut-based blumshapiro, the largest accounting, tax and business advisory firm based in New England, is merging with Cowan Bolduc Doherty based in North Andover.

The was both announced and is effective today. The combined entity will adopt the blumshapiro name. The North Andover office will join blumshapiro locations in Boston, Newton, Quincy and Worcester. Blumshapiro also has offices in West Hartford, Shelton and Marlborough, Connecticut, and Cranston, Rhode Island.

Blumshapiro has grown significantly in the Massachusetts area over the last five years and the combination with Cowan Bolduc Doherty will expand the firm’s presence in Massachusetts to five office locations, adding 20 professionals – including three partners – to further fortify the firm’s position as the largest accounting, tax and business advisory firm headquartered in New England.

“CBD’s strong and well-respected team of auditing, accounting and tax experts – and their reputation for providing exceptional client service – greatly complements blumshapiro and further supports our commitment to provide our clients the personal level of service that has contributed to our firm’s success. We are honored and thrilled to welcome CBD into the firm,” blumshapiro CEO Joseph A. Kask said in a statement.

Cowan Bolduc Doherty’s 20-member team specializes in business, financial and client accounting; financial and tax due diligence; business financing; estate planning; individual tax preparation and planning; multi-state tax planning; business tax preparation and planning and 401(k) audits for business.

“Since our founding in 1988, CBD has fostered strong relationships with our clients in northeastern Massachusetts,” Stephen J. Doherty, CPA and partner at Cowan Bolduc Doherty, said in a statement. “For more than 30 years we have embraced growth and change, and this merger with blumshapiro is a natural next step in providing our clients with more resources while maintaining the personalized commitment they have come to expect from CBD. We are very excited to join the blum team.”