Legacy Valuations & Forensics, LLC (“Legacy”), formerly part of Empire Valuation Consultants, a leading firm serving the national market, today announced it has joined Crete Professionals Alliance, the fastest-growing accounting firm in the country, as recognized by Accounting Today.

The partnership strengthens Legacy’s ability to serve clients with deeper resources, modern technology, and access to a nationwide network—while maintaining its well-known local brand and leadership team.

“Joining Crete allows us to double down on what we do best,” said Harold Deiters, Managing Partner of Legacy Valuations & Forensics. “Instead of trying to be everything to everyone, we can stay deeply focused on our core offerings while Crete handles the infrastructure, talent, and scale. That focus ultimately means better outcomes for our clients and more meaningful work for our team.”

“What excites me about Legacy isn’t just the expertise, it’s how specialized their work is,” said Steve Stagner, CEO of Crete Professionals Alliance. “Valuation, forensics, litigation support: these are high-demand services that many of our firms want to offer but don’t have in-house. Legacy gives us that capability, and in turn, we give them the platform to scale it. It’s the kind of partnership that makes everyone stronger.”

Legacy’s Core Capabilities

Legacy provides business valuation and litigation support nationally across many service areas:

• Estate & Gifting Tax Matter
• Matrimonial Cases
• Shareholder and Partnership Disputes
• ESOPs
• Mergers & Acquisitions
• Financial Options and Transaction Support

As part of Crete Professionals Alliance, Legacy will retain its name, team, and leadership, while gaining access to:

• A national network of more than 30 highly respected accounting and advisory firms
• Enterprise-level corporate services including HR, finance, legal, and IT
• Advanced AI-powered tools and automation solutions to enhance service delivery
• Global talent support through established offshore teams in India and the Philippines
• Growth operations, recruiting support, and future M&A capabilities

Legacy’s presence gives Crete a stronger foothold in the Northeast for specialized valuation and forensic services, deepening our ability to support firms and clients with complex advisory needs: from succession planning and disputes to M&A and litigation matters.

About Legacy

Legacy Valuation & Forensics was founded with a simple yet powerful vision: to bring together decades of expertise in business valuation, forensic accounting, and litigation support to serve clients with clarity, integrity, and precision.

Legacy’s foundation is built on the deep experience of its partners, Harold Deiters and Pasquale Rafanelli. Collectively, Harold and Pat bring nearly half a century of professional experience, having completed thousands of valuations and forensic engagements across a wide range of industries—from real estate and manufacturing to professional services, retail, and not-for-profit organizations.

Both Harold and Pat are nationally recognized thought leaders in the valuation and forensic fields. They hold an array of advanced credentials, frequently lecture at professional associations, and have served in leadership positions with organizations such as the AICPA, NACVA, ASA, and NYSSCPA. Their work is trusted by attorneys, accountants, business owners, and courts alike in matters ranging from matrimonial disputes and estate planning to shareholder litigation and complex damage analyses.

At Legacy, the focus is not only on technical excellence but also on personal dedication to every client. The firm is committed to deliver high-level expertise with the responsiveness and care that clients deserve. Harold and Pat’s long-standing reputations, combined with their shared commitment to professionalism, make Legacy a trusted partner when the stakes are high.

About Crete Professionals Alliance

Crete Professionals Alliance is a national partnership of premier accounting and advisory firms. Built on a foundation of local leadership and entrepreneurial autonomy, Crete empowers its partner firms with the resources, technology, and scale of a national platform. Founded by Jake Sloane and Frank Zhang and backed by Thrive Capital and Bessemer Venture Partners, Crete delivers enterprise-level support, global service delivery, and AI-driven innovation to more than 30 high-performing firms across the country. Named Accounting Today’s fastest-growing firm, Crete is redefining what it means to thrive in today’s professional services landscape.

For more information, visit CretePA.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251215746273/en/