CEO Arne Nypan of Sparebank 1 Regnskapshuset SMN looks forward to welcoming Kjersti Lyford and the Statera Accounting team on board. Photo: SpareBank 1 SMN
Ten years after starting Statera Accounting, Kjersti Lyford is selling her company to SpareBank 1 SMN. All 15 employees will retain their jobs.
She established Statera as a sole proprietorship at Business Lillestrøm in 2017, following leadership roles at Visma in Lillestrøm, BDO, and Heimstaden. Since the start, she has painstakingly built the company, brick by brick, through organic growth and acquisitions—always with a long-term perspective in mind.
The accounting firm has, among other things, built a dedicated team specializing in real estate and investment.
The company, which now has 300 clients, had a turnover of 20.6 million NOK last year. The profit before tax was a healthy 1.5 million NOK.
Found a good match
For Kjersti Lyford, selling the company was never a goal.
"No, we haven't been looking for an exit, even though there has been no shortage of interested parties wanting to take over," says the founder, who is currently a member of Kunnskapsbyen.
When SpareBank 1 SMN approached her with a strong proposal, however, she found it exciting to move forward with it.
"I felt that our values were aligned, with a focus on the work environment and the employees," explains Lyford.
After six months, the process was completed. The takeover date is set for January 1, 2027. The founder is stepping down from ownership but will remain with the company. She will hold a key leadership role in the regional business and looks forward to contributing to new opportunities for both clients and employees.
Sparebank 1 SMN will be establishing the financial center in Lillestrøm. In addition to Statera's 15 employees, it will consist of new financial advisors specializing in corporate and private banking.
Strong recognition
"Businesses in the Romerike region will gain access to a larger financial and advisory environment when Statera Accounting becomes part of SpareBank 1 SMN. Statera has skilled advisors who have proven their ability to develop and find the right solutions for their clients," says Arne Nypan.
He is the CEO of Sparebank 1 Regnskapshuset SMN, which is the entity formally acquiring Statera.
Kjersti Lyford views the acquisition as recognition of the work that has been put in over a long period.
"It is also important to me that all employees are staying on," she says.
The savings bank already has a financial center in Oslo. Arne Nypan sees the expansion into Romerike as the natural next step. Sparebank 1 SMN will then have two financial centers in Eastern Norway. Prior to the Statera acquisition, the SMN Group had a total of 27 financial centers in Norway.
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