Kerber, Eck & Braeckel (KEB), Certified Public Accountants, has expanded its accounting practice to Carbondale, Ill.

The firm announced last week a merger of the accounting practice of Gus Mihalopulos at Carbondale.

Mihalopulos, formerly a partner in the firm of Laventhol and Horwath, with more than 30 years experienced, has joined KEB as partner-in-charge of the Carbondale office.

"One of the primary reasons for the merger is to enhance KEB's position as a dominant Midwest CPA firm," said Jim Erlacker, a partner in the Cape Girardeau office. "Although both the Cape and Carbondale offices will be operated as independent, full-service offices, the proximity of the two locations will enable the firm to interchange staff and utilize the various specialities which each of the CPAs possess."

Kerber, Eck & Braeckel, founded in 1931, is one of the oldest regional CPA firms in the Midwest. The company also has offices in Springfield, Ill., St. Louis and Milwaukee.

The firm has 130 employees, including 20 partners and 95 professionals.

"The combined strength of the Carbondale and Cape offices makes KEB one of the largest CPA firms in the immediate area," said Erlacker. "We have a total staff in these two offices of more than 20 persons, including 15 CPAs."

The Carbondale staff includes partner Mihalopulos and staff members Mark Dallas, David G. Schnake, Steve Hale, Mitzi Calhoon and David Prather. All except Prather are CPAs.

The Cape Girardeau offices include partners John E. Campbell, Floyd Weber and Erlacker. Staff members are Nancy LeGrand, Jerry Keele, Jackie Payne, Paula Huggins, Jeff Hay and Beth Hardley Lottes. All are CPAs except Hay and Lottes.