OAK BROOK, Ill. (October 2, 2007) – Crowe Chizek and Company LLC has signed an agreement to combine practices with Florida-based Carter, Belcourt & Atkinson, P.A. (CBA), with a planned closing date of Dec. 1, 2007. This is the next step to the previously announced letter of intent to combine. Crowe Group LLP, parent company of Crowe Chizek, is one of the 10 largest public accounting and consulting firms in the U.S.
CBA is one of central Florida's largest locally owned certified public accounting and consulting firms, with offices in Tampa and Lakeland. CBA was founded in 1979 and today has more than 70 professionals working in its offices. Crowe currently has three Florida offices in West Palm Beach, Ft. Lauderdale and Tampa, with more than 100 personnel.
“The people and culture at CBA align very well with our core values. We are excited about bringing these people on to our team as a continuation of our geographic expansion strategy,” said Chuck Allen, Crowe’s chief executive officer. “Crowe has a large presence in Florida today with more than 450 clients, many in central Florida, and this combination allows us to increase the number of professionals who can serve the needs of our clients locally.”
“The combination with Crowe is an excellent move for our clients, our professionals and our firm,” said Ronald C. Atkinson, CBA chairman and CEO. “It provides our clients and people with immediate access to and opportunities from Crowe’s vast network of resources nationally and internationally.”
The transaction is subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions. Crowe’s Tampa office will combine into CBA’s Tampa office building after the combination. Once the transaction is complete, the two firms will operate under the Crowe name.
About Crowe Chizek and Crowe Group
Crowe Group LLP, the parent company of Crowe Chizek and Company LLC (www.crowechizek.com), is one of the top 10 public accounting and consulting firms in the United States. Under its core purpose of “Building Value with Values®,” Crowe assists clients in reaching their goals through services ranging from assurance and financial advisory to performance, risk and tax consulting. Crowe professionals provide public and private companies with thought leadership to clients in the financial services, healthcare, government, private equity sponsored, inventory based and not-for-profit industry sectors, among many others. With 22 offices and more than 2,300 personnel, Crowe has been recognized by a number of organizations as one of the country’s best places to work. Crowe serves clients worldwide as the leading independent member of Horwath International.
About Carter, Belcourt & Atkinson, P.A.
Carter, Belcourt & Atkinson, P.A. (CBA) (www.cbanet.com) has served as a trusted advisor to individuals, businesses, business owners and professionals in a variety of industries for more than 25 years. CBA’s professionals provide an array of accounting, auditing, tax, and consulting services.
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Contact: Jan Lippman, 312.899.8414, jan.lippman@crowehorwath.com
