Grant Thornton LLP Ranks Highest in J.D. Power and Associates 2004 Audit Firm Performance Study; Second in J.D. Power and Associates 2004 Tax Firm Performance Study

Business Wire, Dec 14, 2004

CHICAGO -- Grant Thornton LLP, the nation's fifth largest accounting firm, ranked highest among accounting firms managing audits with clients with less than $1 billion in revenue in the J.D. Power and Associates 2004 Audit Firm Performance Study. The firm placed second overall in a separate study of major tax firms in the J.D. Power and Associates 2004 Tax Firm Performance Study.

"While our primary focus is to provide independent, quality services to our clients, we are particularly gratified in that the study finds one of our main attributes in the eyes of clients is our trustworthiness," said Grant Thornton LLP Chief Executive Officer Edward Nusbaum.

According to the audit firm study, Grant Thornton LLP performs particularly well in understanding the client's operations and industry, in responding to requests and questions, and in trustworthiness. The study is based on interviews with 1,007 audit committee chairs and 944 chief financial officers.

In the study of major tax firms, Grant Thornton ranks second, surpassing three of the four large-volume tax firms. According to that study, Grant Thornton excels in the areas of advice and recommendations, ability to meet deadlines, and trustworthiness. The study measures satisfaction with tax advisors based on responses from 885 chief financial officers (CFOs) and tax directors.

Headquartered in Westlake Village, Calif., J.D. Power and Associates is an ISO 9001-registered global marketing information services firm operating in key business sectors including market research, forecasting, consulting, training and customer satisfaction. The firm's quality and satisfaction measurements are based on responses from millions of consumers annually.

Grant Thornton LLP is the U.S. member firm of Grant Thornton International, one of the seven global accounting, tax and business advisory organizations. Through member firms in 110 countries, including 49 offices in the United States, the partners of Grant Thornton member firms provide personalized attention and the highest quality service to public and private clients around the globe. Visit Grant Thornton LLP at www.GrantThornton.com.