The secrets of past months’ negotiation meetings were revealed last week when the chartered accounting firms of Presley & Partners and Pisto Marriott announced to their teams that they would be merging their offices effective January 1, 2006.

The new firm, continuing under the name of Presley & Partners, Chartered Accountants, will consist of about 30 team members; nine of which are Chartered Accountants.

The focus will continue to be on helping their business clients earn higher profits and implement retirement and financial plans through better accounting, tax planning and consulting tools. 

"The now bigger team will allow each of us more opportunity to specialize”, says Ann Scott, one of the original partners of Presley & Partners.  “This will lead to enhanced service for our clients in areas of tax, retirement and estate planning, business transitions, coaching and business improvement”, says Colleen Ellison. 

“The combined talent and resources of our firms will greatly benefit our clients as it increases the breadth and depth of services available,” says Judith Marriott.  “Tony Pisto will be associated with the firm as a retired partner and we look forward to working with him in a consulting capacity”.  

Murray Presley stated “The strategic move is necessary due to the ever increasing pressure to provide more specialized services for our clients.  The merger gives us the ability to draw on the talents and expertise of more team members.  We like the idea of two local firms coming together, maintaining the continuity of our team members with their clients”.   

Presley & Partners was established in 1982 and has been performing accounting, tax, audit and consulting services for business clients ever since.  Murray Presley, Ann Scott and Colleen Ellison are the current partners.  Presley & Partners has been named Professional Business of the year at the Vancouver Island Business Excellence Awards  and received the Chamber of Commerce Professional Merit award in recent years. 

Tony Pisto began his accounting practice in the Comox Valley in 1994.  Pisto Marriott was formed in December 2001 when Judith Marriott joined as partner with Tony.  The firm has enjoyed helping owner managed businesses focus on tax planning and accounting.

This merger will support Presley & Partners' mission which is the obligation to help its clients be frontrunners in their local industries and their owners achieve their financial dreams.  The new merged firm will continue to be a member of RanOne, an international network of business advisory, consulting and accounting firms.