La Grange Firm Celebrates New Ownership

The La Grange accounting firm of Schneider, Frazee, and Matocha recently sold to CKO CPAs and Advisors of Sugar Land. The company held a ribbon cutting Friday, Jan. 17, at the offices at 500 W. Travis St.

“We want to connect with the La Grange community,” said Kenneth Omoruyi, the managing partner of CKO. “It’s not just the opening of an accounting firm. It’s the opening of opportunities and possibilities in this town.”

Omoruyi came to America from Nigeria 15 years ago. He worked for the oil and gas company Schlumberger in their corporate accounting and tax division. He and his wife welcomed a set of triplets in 2018. Wanting to spend more time with his family, he resigned from Schlumberger and launched his accounting firm in 2019 in Sugar Land.

Schneider, Frazee, and Matocha opened in La Grange in 1989. Vincent Matocha joined the firm in 1994.

“I moved in from out of town, and I was welcomed by the community, as I hope y’all will welcome Kenneth,” Matocha said.

Omoruyi said what attracted him to Schneider, Frazee, and Matocha was the firm’s reputation for trust in the community and it’s long service to clients, some of whom have been with the firm for 30 years.

“We hope to stand on the shoulders of people who have started this firm decades ago,” Omoruyi said.

CPA Trish Pechal has retired from the firm following the transition.

“It’s a blessing for me to walk away from this company, which I’ve been involved with for almost 20 years, with the comfort of knowing its being left in such capable hands,” Pechal said.

Matocha will continue with CKO at the La Grange office. The rest of the office staff will remain on board as well.

Omoruyi said the La Grange office will continue to offer accounting, tax preparation and bookkeeping services as well as a few new services such as tax planning and financial advising. During the grand opening ceremony last Friday, Omoruyi introduced his mother, whom he said put him and five other siblings through college while working as a market vendor in Nigeria. He credited his mother with instilling a strong work ethic. He also spoke about his journey from Nigeria to the U.S. and his love for America. Omoruyi even brought out a saxophone and played a rousing version of the National Anthem.

“I’m going to get him a CD of The Vrazels and The Red Ravens so he can hear the saxophone in the polkas and waltzes,” Matocha joked.

Representatives from the La Grange Area Chamber of Commerce were on hand to welcome Omoruyi to La Grange. La Grange Mayor Jan Dockery and City Manager Jack Thompson were also at the grand opening, along with several of Omoruyi’s friends and colleagues from Sugar

Photos by Andy Behlen

Land, including Fort Bend County Treasurer Bill Rickert.