Grant Thornton El Salvador doubles its size

• incorporating 3 new partners, 80 professionals and extended client portfolio

Grant Thornton International, the rapidly expanding international accounting organisation, has today (6 February 2007) announced that its member firm in El Salvador, Grant Thornton Castellanos Campos SA de CV, has merged with a former Deloitte member firm. This development is part of a programme of strengthening the service offerings by the international network's member firms to both privately held and public interest organisations.

The firm, which will be known as Grant Thornton El Salvador Ltda de CV, has gained three new partners and a further 80 professionals, making it one of the largest accounting firms in El Salvador with fees exceeding US$2.5 million. In total there are six partners and more than 120 professionals. They will provide a range of services including assurance, tax and specialist advisory services.

David McDonnell, chief executive officer of Grant Thornton International commented: "The merger strengthens the member firm's service offering to clients in El Salvador as well as the resources of Grant Thornton International's regional network of firms in Central and Latin America. It is a very welcome and valuable enhancement to our network."

Eric Keller, managing partner of Grant Thornton El Salvador commented: "This merger will bring together a wealth of experience and knowledge to enhance the range of services we provide to our clients. The major beneficiaries of this strategic union will be the Salvadorian business community, our existing and future clients and the accounting profession as a whole."

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Notes to editors

About Grant Thornton El Salvador
Grant Thornton El Salvador was founded in 1973 and has been a member of Grant Thornton International since 1998. With six partners and 120 professionals, the firm offers audit, consulting, outsourcing and tax services. Grant Thornton El Salvador is committed to meeting the needs of local businesses, providing services to privately held businesses, large corporates and government entities.

About Grant Thornton International
Grant Thornton International is an international membership organisation, with each member firm independently owned and operated. Services are delivered nationally by the member and correspondent firms of Grant Thornton International, a network of independent firms throughout the world. Grant Thornton International is a non-practising international umbrella organisation and does not deliver services in its own name or otherwise. Each member and correspondent firm in Grant Thornton International is a separate national firm. These firms are not members of one international partnership or otherwise legal partners with each other (with the exception of certain limited instances), nor is any one firm responsible for the services or activities of any other. Each firm governs itself and handles its administrative matters on a local basis. Although many of the firms now carry the Grant Thornton name, either exclusively or in their national practice names, there is no common ownership among the firms or by Grant Thornton International (with the exception of certain limited instances).