The Alliance of Merger & Acquisition Advisors (R) (AM&AA), the leading association and credentialing body for middle market M&A professionals in partnership with Grant Thornton LLP, one of the six global audit, tax and advisory organizations today announced five finalists for the third annual Middle Market Thought Leader Award, honoring individuals who have made a meaningful contribution to middle market M&A.
The five finalists include:
CHICAGO, December 15, 2011 - - Grant Thornton LLP, the U.S. member firm of Grant Thornton International Ltd, today announced it will be a presenting sponsor of the fifth annual OneMedForum SF, a business development and investment conference scheduled for January 9-12, 2012 in San Francisco. The conference focuses on emerging companies in the health care, medical and life sciences fields, connecting companies with strategic partners and investors.
BOSTON, December 1, 2011 — Grant Thornton LLP, the U.S. member firm of Grant Thornton International Ltd, today announced that it has acquired certain assets and practices of CCR LLP, a full-service accounting and advisory firm with offices in Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island.
Grant Thornton LLP today announced a series of forums for chief executive officers of dynamic, privately held companies, designed to help them examine the concept of growth in-depth with their peers and noted business experts. Together, attendees will explore tested approaches to growth in a stimulating and thought-provoking environment.
CHICAGO, Nov. 16, 2011 – A recent survey conducted by Grant Thornton LLP and Financial Executives Research Foundation, Inc. (FERF) – Social media and its associated risks – finds that executives of public and private companies see social media as a growing set of marketing tools, but have not yet developed the necessary compliance and risk policies and procedures.
Grant Thornton LLP announced a new market orientation around growth, the dominant issue facing businesses today.
Grant Thornton wants to remind American taxpayers and businesses that now is the time to employ late-year tax planning strategies.
A national survey of CFOs, conducted by Grant Thornton LLP, finds that optimism is plummeting, as evidence by the increased number of CFOs that report that their companies are scaling back hiring amid worry about the cost of health care and other benefits.
Grant Thornton has launched a Japan Business Group that will focus on serving Japanese inbound companies in the United States.
Grant Thornton LLP today announced its acquisition of Computer Technology Associates’ (CTA) Health Solutions division, including five military health care contracts and the health care professionals supporting them.
Grant Thornton LLP today announced the release of the annual private equity (PE) report sponsored by Grant Thornton International titled A force for growth. The study, based on interviews with 144 buyout firm executives worldwide, reveals that today’s uncertain global economic climate is the biggest challenge confronting the global PE industry. U.S. survey respondents, meanwhile, cited tough fundraising conditions, increased competition for deals, a looming industry shakeout and stricter regulatory requirements as major developments occurring in the North American (U.S. and Canada) deal market.
Following the unrest in the Middle East and North Africa, and its impact on oil prices, 44% of global businesses would now support increased government investment in renewable/alternative energy according to the latest research from Grant Thornton’s International Business Report. In the U.S., 41% are more likely to support increased government investment.
Grant Thornton LLP is collaborating with the UK-based IASeminars group, an independent global specialist provider of training on International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), to offer a broad range of IFRS training courses across the United States.
According to research from Grant Thornton’s International Business Report, 54% of global businesses are not aware of, and are therefore unprepared for, one the most significant global accounting changes in the past decade: the virtual elimination of off-balance sheet leases.
In order to highlight the critical tax issues facing manufacturing companies, Grant Thornton LLP’s Manufacturing Practice released International taxation for manufacturing: A comparative review, a white paper that examines the corporate taxation of a hypothetical manufacturer as if it were located and doing business entirely in 19 countries.
The Certification in Distressed Business Valuation (CDBV) program attests that Cross, a founder of Grant Thornton’s CARS practice, and Peko are properly qualified in the valuation of distressed assets, including those of distressed or bankrupt companies.
Grant Thornton has submitted its recommendations to the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) on Enhancing the Value of Auditor Reporting: Exploring Options for Change. The consultation paper seeks to determine whether there are common views among users of audited financial statements and other stakeholders about the usefulness of auditor reporting.
Highlighting the top companies who are paving the way for new moms and families everywhere, today Working Mother magazine has announced Grant Thornton as one of the 2011 Working Mother 100 Best Companies. This is the sixth consecutive year that Chicago-based Grant Thornton has made the “Working Mother Best Companies” list.
U.S. manufacturing leaders are extremely pessimistic about the U.S. economy, according to Grant Thornton LLP’s most recent Business Optimism Index, a quarterly survey of U.S. manufacturing business leaders. Only 13% believe the U.S. economy will improve in the next six months, down significantly from 40% in May. At the same time, 40% believe the U.S. economy will get worse, up from 26%. In addition, only 21% of manufacturers say they will increase hiring and 35% say they plan layoffs.
Confidence in the United States economy fell to its lowest level in more than two years, according to the most recent quarterly Business Optimism Index from Grant Thornton LLP. Fewer than 20% of U.S. business leaders believe that the domestic economy will improve in the next six months, a decrease of 60% from the second quarter of this year.
Nearly half (48%) of bankers believe that the overall financial reform will not be effective in detecting broad risks to the financial system and preventing or reducing the threat of a future taxpayer-funded bailout, according to Grant Thornton LLP’s 18th Bank Executive Survey, conducted in conjunction with Bank Director magazine.
Grant Thornton LLP admitted 26 new partners and principals to the firm, effective August 1. These partners and principals are based throughout the firm’s offices across the country.
CCH today announced that Grant Thornton LLP has been named a Preferred Implementer of CCH Global Integrator – a web-based solution providing global data collection and consolidation, tax provisioning and tax reporting on a single platform.
Grant Thornton LLP’s Business Advisory Services group has released a new paper, Puzzled about SOC reports? Clarifying the decision-making process, in order to help service organizations better understand the differences between the three different service organization control (SOC) reports.
Grant Thornton LLP announced today that effective Aug. 1, 2011, Bradley J. Preber will serve as the National Managing Partner of the firm’s Economic Advisory Services (EAS) practice. Preber takes over from Larry Redler, Grant Thornton’s current EAS National Managing Partner, who will be retiring on July 31. Grant Thornton’s EAS practice encompasses the firm’s Forensic, Investigations and Litigation and Valuation groups.
Grant Thornton LLP’s Public Finance practice today announced it has been selected by the Tobacco Settlement Financing Corp. of the State of New York (TSFC) to serve as the structuring and refunding verification agent on TSFC’s $959.1 million bond offering that will be used to refinance existing debt.
Grant Thornton LLP’s Software practice released Issues and trends: Assessing and managing SaaS risk. The paper provides an in-depth look at and analysis of issues within the growing software as a service (SaaS) technology industry segment, including the primary risk factors confronting companies that operate in the sector, and steps that CEOs, board directors and other C-suite executives can take to diminish risks.
U.S. manufacturing leaders have turned pessimistic regarding the U.S. economy, according to Grant Thornton LLP’s most recent Business Optimism Index, a quarterly survey of U.S. manufacturing business leaders. Only 40% believe the U.S. economy will improve in the next six months, down from 60% three months earlier. At the same time, 26% believe the U.S. economy will get worse, up from 3%.
U.S. financial services leaders are tempering expectations for U.S. economy, according to Grant Thornton LLP’s most recent Business Optimism Index, a quarterly survey of U.S. financial services leaders. While 61% believe the U.S. economy will improve in the next six months, this is down from 72% three months earlier. At the same time, 8% believe the U.S. economy will get worse, up from 3%.
Grant Thornton LLP’s Manufacturing practice today announced the release of A well-oiled machine: Maximizing machinery and equipment opportunities, minimizing risks. The paper addresses and analyzes the machinery and equipment market, highlighting critical issues facing companies that span the strategic, tax, regulatory and operational landscape. The white paper also recommends a number of relevant considerations and best practices for machinery and equipment manufacturers as they look to manage their challenges, their companies and their bottom line, as well as pursue new business opportunities.
U.S. business leaders have turned pessimistic, according to Grant Thornton LLP’s most recent Business Optimism Index, a quarterly survey of U.S. business leaders. Only 45% believe the U.S. economy will improve in the next six months (down from 64% three months earlier), 40% plan to increase staff (down from 49%), while 12% plan to decrease staff (up from 10%) The Index itself is down 7.1 points to 62.6.
A global survey of more than 7,700 businesses in 39 countries by global accounting organization Grant Thornton International found Finland, Sweden and Australia as the countries with the highest percentage of companies offering flexible work arrangements, while Japan, Greece and Armenia were the lowest.
A national survey of private company CFOs finds that the majority (59%) prefer the FASB as their accounting standard setter. The remainder of the CFOs were split between adoption of IFRS for SMEs (22%) and a separate standard setter for private companies (18%). The responses from CFOs at public companies were similar.
Grant Thornton LLP announced today that it has been named a Qualified Security Assessor (QSA) company by the Payment Card Industry Security Standards Council (PCI SSC). This designation marks a significant achievement for Grant Thornton, which is now one of the largest public accounting firms in the U.S. to hold this certification. To become a QSA company Grant Thornton completed a rigorous vetting process and demonstrated the highest level of competence and expertise in delivering PCI assessments in accordance with the PCI Data Security Standard (PCI DSS).
Southern California Managing Partner Joel Anik of Grant Thornton LLP presented a check for $101,954 on behalf of the Grant Thornton Foundation to the Board of Directors of the Greater Los Angeles Chapter of Red Cross at their Board meeting on Thursday, May 26 at the California Club in downtown Los Angeles.
Nearly half (48%) of the Banking/Financial Services CFOs said that they expect the U.S. economy to improve in the next six months and nearly two-thirds (65%) are optimistic about their own company; however, 55% also report that they plan to increase the prices or fees charged by their company in the next six months. Regarding health care reform, 49% of Banking/Financial Services CFOs said that it will decrease their hiring (compared to 37% nationally), 52% said that it would decrease their company’s growth (compared to 40% nationally) and 58% said that it would increase their product pricing (compared to 49% nationally).
In a national survey of U.S. CFOs and senior comptrollers conducted by Grant Thornton, 38% of CFOs said that state and local tax compliance is more demanding than federal tax compliance, and an additional 31% said it was about as demanding as federal tax compliance.
As business and civic leaders huddle over their personal digital devices, such as iPads, iPods, iPhones, BlackBerrys and Droids, seeking to tap the next “app” that will solve their latest problem, Grant Thornton’s CARS practice has developed its own set of “apps” from its extensive restructuring advisory work with corporations, translated for the public sector, to give government officials the structure and tools needed to address priorities, restore fiscal stability, stimulate growth and resolve complex economic and service issues in their respective states and municipalities.
Michael Patanella, an Audit partner in Grant Thornton LLP’s Financial Services practice, was recently named chair of the new Private Equity and Venture Capital Committee of the New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants (NYSSCPA).
Success in the federal government’s information technology (IT) world has more to do with leadership and good management than with hardware, software and communication networks, according to the 21st Annual Survey of Federal Chief Information Officers (CIO) released today by TechAmerica and Grant Thornton LLP. Even the highest-tech world of cyber security depends more on getting top leadership involved than on encryption and codes, say survey respondents.
Grant Thornton LLP — the U.S. member firm of Grant Thornton International Ltd, one of the six global audit, tax and advisory organizations — has been named a Certified Implementer of Thomson Reuters ONESOURCE(R) Indirect Tax, offered by the Tax & Accounting business of Thomson Reuters. Grant Thornton’s agreement with Thomson Reuters provides that any Grant Thornton International member firm is eligible to participate in the Certified Implementer Program (CIP).
In a national biannual survey of U.S. CFOs and senior comptrollers conducted by Grant Thornton LLP, 64% say the best way to reduce the U.S. federal deficit is to reduce spending, while 35% say that there should be roughly equal measures of reduced spending and increased taxes.
Grant Thornton LLP’s Private Equity Services and the Association for Corporate Growth (ACG) announced the release of: Keeping LPs happy: It’s a whole new ballgame for private equity. The white paper offers new insights into today’s fundraising market, providing a fresh view into emerging expectations on the part of limited partners (LPs) as changing regulatory requirements, a highly competitive marketplace, and potential industry shakeout stand to reshape today’s private equity investment community.
In a national survey of U.S. manufacturing Chief Financial Officers (CFOs) and senior controllers conducted by Grant Thornton LLP, the U.S. member firm of Grant Thornton International Ltd, there are serious concerns about inflation, as 66% say that their company intends to raise the sales price for their goods over the next six months, up from 35% six months earlier.
The study found that consumers became more diligent about making their automobile loan payments during the recession. Consumers who were unable to meet their monthly debt obligations historically made their mortgage payments before making an auto loan payment; however Grant Thornton’s Corporate Advisory & Restructuring Services practice found the converse happened in the most recent economic downturn.
In a national survey of U.S. Chief Financial Officers (CFOs) and senior comptrollers conducted by Grant Thornton LLP, there is growing optimism about the U.S. economy as 48% say it will improve over the next six months (up from 30% six months earlier). However, concern grows over inflation, as 50% say their company intends to raise prices for its goods, up from 31% six months earlier and 24% one year ago.
The Advisory Services practice of Grant Thornton LLP has created an alert to help American companies that conduct business in the UK understand the UK Bribery Act (the Act) and the impact it will have on their business.
Following an analysis of investments in the top 150 automotive suppliers, Grant Thornton LLP has identified a high potential of increased sale activity in the supply chain within the next several years. Currently, more than 13 percent of the industry’s largest suppliers in North America are owned by non-traditional investors, such-as hedge funds or private equity groups, who typically sell assets within a three-to five-year period.
Grant Thornton LLP today announced a final agreement to acquire more than 270 professionals from the LECG Audit, Tax and Advisory practice. They will join Grant Thornton offices in Atlanta, Chicago, New York, Philadelphia and Portland.
The North American aerospace and defense (A&D) industry experienced a recovery in M&A activity in 2010, with the number of sector transactions increasing nearly 20% over 2009 results, according to a new report on the sector by Grant Thornton Corporate Finance – Aerospace & Defense Update: Mergers, Acquisitions and the Operating Environment. The report is published periodically by Grant Thornton Corporate Finance, in conjunction with Grant Thornton LLP’s Aerospace & Defense practice.
Saint Vincent’s Catholic Medical Centers of New York (Saint Vincent’s) today announced that the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York has approved the $260 million sale of Saint Vincent’s Manhattan campus, including the historic O'Toole Building, to the Rudin family and the North Shore-LIJ Health System. Structured with the leadership of Grant Thornton LLP’s Corporate Advisory & Restructuring Services practice, the deal establishes a stand-alone 24-hour emergency center and ambulatory surgery facility in New York’s Greenwich Village area.
With the April 18, 2011, tax filing deadline fast approaching, Grant Thornton LLP wants to assure American taxpayers that there’s no need to panic.
The increase in litigation over the last four years around the 30-year-old Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) has put a spotlight on bribery among public officials in foreign jurisdictions. As a result of this increased scrutiny, Grant Thornton LLP and EthicsPoint created a paper that looks at 10 common misconceptions that can increase the likelihood of corporate FCPA violations.
To help ensure compliance with the new requirements under health care reform, technology companies may wish to use a compliance checklist-based approach. Grant Thornton LLP’s technology industry group in conjunction with the firm’s compensation and benefits consulting practice created a checklist of the requirements that are already in effect or that will go into effect very shortly for all plans, including grandfathered plans. The checklist appears in the March 2011 issue of TechDashboard, a quarterly publication that provides industry executives with information and insights into the many sectors of technology.
Senior management at U.S. banking, investment bank, brokerage and securities companies are optimistic, according to a Grant Thornton LLP survey.
Nearly three-quarters (72%) of banking executives believe that the U.S. economy will improve in the next six months, compared with two-thirds (64%) for all business leaders.
Senior management at U.S. manufacturing companies are significantly more optimistic about their own companies’ growth than they were just three months ago in November, according to a Grant Thornton LLP February survey. Nine in 10 (91%) report that they are optimistic about their companies’ growth in the next six months, up from 81% in November.
Despite high unemployment rates, signs of economic recovery are surfacing according to the 7th annual Retirement Plan Survey, conducted by Grant Thornton LLP, Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP and Plan Sponsor Advisors LLC. After significant cutbacks in employer matching contributions over the past few years, 30 percent are planning to reinstate previously eliminated or reduced matching contributions during 2011. Forty two percent do not have plans to reinstate their match this year.
A new survey of more than 300 chief audit executives (CAEs) by Grant Thornton LLP finds that while nearly half believe that the shifting regulatory landscape poses the greatest threat to their company, a vast majority (88%) do not believe that the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX) should be repealed. Of those that believe SOX should be repealed, the cost of compliance is the main reason for doing so.
U.S. business leaders are the most optimistic they have been since before the recession, according to Grant Thornton LLP’s most recent Business Optimism Index, a quarterly survey of U.S. business leaders. Nearly two-thirds (64%) believe the U.S. economy will improve in the next six months, compared with 47% in November. Half of the business leaders (49%) report that their company plans to increase staff in the next six months (up from 43%), while only 10% plan to decrease staff (down from 15%) The Index itself is up 6.7 points to 69.7, the highest it has been since 2004.
An increasing number of private companies are planning to grow through acquisition according to the Grant Thornton International Business Report (IBR). In its latest global study conducted at the end of 2010, a third (34%) of respondents said that their company anticipates making an acquisition in the next three years, an increase of 8% compared to last year.
Grant Thornton LLP today announced the release of its new white paper Gift cards: Opportunity and issues for retailers. The paper examines the gift card industry and looks at the tax and accounting implications of recent legislation on retailers.
Regulation, prices and investment are the top issues affecting energy executives’ outlook for the industry in the coming year, according to Grant Thornton LLP’s ninth annual Survey of Upstream U.S. Energy Companies. The survey revealed that more than two-thirds of the respondents believe that new exploration and development projects would become uneconomical for them if the cost of drilling was to increase 20% due to changes in government regulation.
For the second year in a row, Training Magazine ranked Grant Thornton LLP among the Top 125 companies offering employer-sponsored workforce training and development. The firm moved to 71st place on the list, up from 103rd the previous year.
Grant Thornton LLP today announced it has appointed Tricia Conahan as Chief Marketing & Sales Officer.
Molly Curl has joined Grant Thornton LLP, U.S. member firm of Grant Thornton International Ltd, one of the six global audit, tax and advisory organizations, as the Bank Regulatory National Advisory Partner. In this new role, Curl will be working with our banking clients around the country to provide regulatory support. She will be based out of the firm’s Dallas office.
Grant Thornton LLP today announced the release of its new paper, Continual stress tests: Peace of mind for banks and regulators. The new study discusses how banks, bank holding companies and other financial institutions must do more than conduct stress tests in tough economic climates to analyze the risks to their deposits, liquidity and core lending practices. Rather, Grant Thornton’s analysis recommends that the tests be conducted on an ongoing basis. The article also offers executive decision-makers fresh insights on how to improve testing procedures in order to better control capital reserve requirements, core lending activity and loan portfolio performance, risk to deposits and solvency expectations across different economic cycles.
Hospitality companies face complex tax issues that can strain resources and drain profits. Grant Thornton LLP’s tax professionals offer 10 tips to help hospitality businesses manage their tax burden.
The flurry of recent tax legislation and the lingering effects of the economic downturn make this tax planning environment one of the most challenging in recent memory. Contractors need to do what they can to improve cash flow by effectively managing their tax burdens and leveraging any available new tax incentives. Tax planning over the next two years will require thoughtful and nimble analysis.
Tax season has arrived and Grant Thornton LLP wants to remind American taxpayers that there are still plenty of things they can do to manage their tax bill and avoid filing hassles.
Grant Thornton announced today that effective Aug. 1, 2011, Wayne Kaplan will serve as the new Philadelphia Office Managing Partner and that Rick Gebert, currently Philadelphia Office Managing Partner, will now oversee the firm’s operations in the Southeast region.
Grant Thornton announced today that effective Aug. 1, 2011, Michael Bennett will serve as the new Houston Office Managing Partner, succeeding the retiring Justin Gannon.
Grant Thornton LLP’s Private Equity Services group today announced the release of its new white paper with the Association for Corporate Growth (ACG): The fine line between love and fear: Exploring the relationship between entrepreneurs and private equity. The paper presents a candid, revealing view into the mindsets of business owners and private equity executives when it comes to executing transactions and offers practical considerations for dealmakers in meeting entrepreneurs’ expectations.
Grant Thornton LLP has made 10 state and local tax (SALT) predictions on issues expected to arise as a result of states’ attempts to balance their budgets in the State & Local Tax Alert: SALT Legislative Outlook, Trends and Predictions for 2011.
Nearly three-quarters (74%) of government contractors surveyed consider the government to be slow and inefficient in resolving contract issues, with 56% believing that the inefficiencies are caused by the Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA) and 18% saying it is caused by the contracting officer, according to Grant Thornton LLP’s 16th Annual Government Contractor Industry Survey.
Ken Cunningham has been named the new Grant Thornton LLP Chief Legal Officer effective February 1, 2011. Ken succeeds Peggy Zagel as Chief Legal Officer, who will be retiring from the firm July 31, 2011.
Confidence levels are higher in Latin America than in any other part of the world, with the region leading the way in business optimism into the new year, according to a global survey of 5,700 senior executives by Grant Thornton International Ltd.