Kennedy McCulloch Forsyth CPAs in Friday Harbor is now Lake Kennedy McCulloch CPAs, the result of a merger with R. Peter Lake CPA of Vashon Island.

The merger, which took effect Sept. 1, was announced Monday after the firms notified their clients of the merger.

Steve Kennedy and Fred McCulloch plan on staying with the firm for the next five to 10 years; the merger “provides for a long-term retirement plan” for them, Lake said.

The Vashon Island office brings technology and a “strong” tax preparation program to the merger; the Friday Harbor office brings corporate experience, payroll service, and offices on two islands to the merger.

Combined, the offices now have six CPAs. Administrator Karol Lake said the Friday Harbor office will be adding staff, and Peter Lake, her husband, will visit the Friday Harbor office once a week.

Fred McCulloch graduated from University of Washington and worked for Price Waterhouse — now PricewaterhouseCoopers — and as controller for a company in Eastern Washington before partnering with Kennedy in 1999.

Kennedy worked for the international firm Touche Ross — now Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu — in Vancouver, B.C. before moving to Friday Harbor and starting the firm.

Peter Lake graduated from University of North Dakota and worked as an internal auditor and controller for private industry before starting R. Peter Lake CPA 17 years ago.