Watson Aberant LLP joins Grant Thornton LLP

Firms join forces to serve northern Alberta businesses

EDMONTON, Sept. 13 /CNW/ - National accounting, tax and advisory firm Grant Thornton LLP announced today that effective September 1, 2010, the Edmonton accounting and advisory firm Watson Aberant LLP has joined with Grant Thornton LLP.

"We're thrilled that Watson Aberant LLP has joined our firm," states Phil Noble, Executive Partner and Chief Executive Officer, Grant Thornton LLP. "We're a firm on the move across the country and the joining of our two firms clearly signifies our commitment to grow in strategic markets. Watson Aberant brings with them a strong group of talented people and I feel confident that through this new collective strength, we've taken an important step towards enhancing our position in the strategic northern Alberta marketplace.

An established and respected assurance and business advisory firm in the Edmonton area, Watson Aberant LLP joined Grant Thornton LLP in order to bring greater depth and breadth of services to their clients, and expanded opportunities for their people. "We're very excited about the advantages that being a part of a national firm can offer," said Mike Aberant, Partner, Watson Aberant. "That Grant Thornton feels as passionately as we do about providing exceptional service to their clients simply made this strategic decision an easy one, and one that will benefit everyone—from our clients to our people."

"The Watson Aberant team have served their clients well, and we welcome them aboard," adds Brad Danyluik, Managing Partner for Grant Thornton in northern Alberta. "We hope that this transaction demonstrates a commitment to our clients in Edmonton and assists us in building upon our already strong service delivery promise to them, while at the same time, moving towards achieving our firm's goal of continued strong growth in the region."

Notes to editors:

About Grant Thornton LLP

Grant Thornton LLP is a leading Canadian accounting and advisory firm providing audit, tax and advisory services to private and public organizations. Together with the Quebec firm Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton LLP, Grant Thornton has approximately 4,000 people in offices across Canada. Grant Thornton LLP is a Canadian member of Grant Thornton International Ltd, whose member firms operate in close to 100 countries worldwide. In Alberta, Grant Thornton LLP has offices in Calgary, Edmonton and Wetaskiwin.

For further information:

Andrea Mascarenhas
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