Press Release Headlines

Chicago Accounting Firm Porte Brown Continues Rapid Growth – Acquires Third Firm This Year

ELK GROVE VILLAGE, Ill., Dec. 19, 2011 — Bruce G. Jones, CPA and Managing Partner of Porte Brown LLC (http://www.portebrown.com), a Chicago CPA firm providing accounting, audit, tax, technology and wealth management services, announces that Porte Brown has acquired the firm of Meador Stratton, LLP, based in Highland, Indiana. This is the third acquisition by Porte Brown this year, and the first in Indiana.

Meador Stratton partners, Ralph Meador, CPA, and Louis Stratton, CPA, CITP, MBA, as well as the other Meador Stratton employees, joined the Porte Brown team effective December 1, 2011. "Our company is extremely proud to join forces with Porte Brown. It provides our clients with a wealth of additional resources to focus in on their needs with precision and provide effective and efficient business solutions," said Meador. "I know Porte Brown well, having developed a working relationship with them over the last 20 years. Both companies share the same deep commitment to exceptional customer service so we're certain our clients will appreciate being part of the Porte Brown family," he added. Meador Stratton, LLP will operate under the Porte Brown LLC name and will maintain a South Suburban office to continue serving existing clients.

"We are pleased and excited to join forces with a firm such as Meador Stratton," said Bruce Jones. "They are a natural fit with our firm's philosophy and exactly the type of firm we have been looking to acquire as we continue to grow and expand our practice."

Porte Brown, which now employs more than 75 people, has more than doubled its size over the past five years, by acquiring seven firms through friendly acquisitions, and by providing outstanding, value-added services to its clients in the fields of manufacturing and distribution, construction, not-for-profit, professional services, individuals and grocery and food services.

Another reason for Porte Brown's impressive growth is attributed to creating a defined process for all aspects of their business. "We are frequently called in to consult with other accounting firms. They want to learn about our business processes in the hopes of making their firms more efficient and more profitable," said Jones. "It is flattering that other accounting firms are starting to recognize us as the process leader."

About Porte Brown

For more than 65 years, Porte Brown LLC has provided accounting services to individuals and businesses throughout the suburbs of Chicago including Cook, DuPage and McHenry counties. Porte Brown specializes in tax planning and preparation services, audit, business valuations, wealth management, retirement plan administration and consulting. The CPA firm also focuses on technology solutions, providing computer consulting for clients, either by establishing a new network for their operational and accounting needs or working with an existing network with the help of Porte Brown Technology Solutions.

Securities offered through 1st Global Capital Corp., Member FINRA & SIPC

Investment advisory services offered through 1st Global Advisors, Inc.

Contact: Pam Metzger, Email, 847-956-1040

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