What's New?

What's New?: Be sure to keep up-to-date with what�s happening and what�s new. Check out this section regularly for updates on events, changes in our team, or legislative and tax issues that you should be aware of. You�ll also find some great motivational quotes here.

Press Releases

Local Independent Accounting Firm Goes Global!

February 2002, Courtenay, B.C. �As a member of the new RAN ONE global network (formerly the Results Accountants� Network), Presley & Partners is now part of the world�s largest network of independent accounting firms serving small- and medium-sized enterprise (SME) clients.

"Being a member of RAN ONE gives us access to the firepower, brand equity, resource base and collective experience of a global network, while still allowing us to act as an extremely focused, independent, client service organization in the local market," said . Independently owned firms have the advantage of being able to offer clients a strong personal relationship based on local knowledge and long-term commitment."

Jim McKerlie, chairman and CEO for RAN ONE adds, "We�re not talking consolidation of accounting firms by any means. RAN ONE is much more about working together to achieve goals that are vital to today�s SME business owner. That means taking the very best of what we know about traditional taxation, accounting and auditing, and combining it with a comprehensive array of business development services�tailored for specific industries and locales. Services like these�marketing management, customer service strategies, administrative systems, and people development�are just not available at other accounting firms."

Presley & Partners has been helping its clients achieve their business and personal goals for more than 20 years. In addition to offering traditional accounting services, RAN ONE membership allows the firm to offer clients premier business consulting services and tools. Presley & Partners doesn�t look at a business just from a historical perspective, but actively works with business owners to develop and improve the business as it happens.

RAN ONE: With more than 3,000 firms who have been through its training programs, and 5,000 offices serving over one million SME clients worldwide, RAN ONE forms the leading global network of independent accounting firms. To be a qualified RAN ONE Accountant, members are required to meet strict annual compliance and quality standards to ensure a consistently high level of service across the globe. For more information on RAN ONE go to www.ranone.com

For more information, please contact:

Ann Scott

Presley & Partners

Phone: (250) 338-1394

Email: ascott@presleyandpartners.com

Quote of the Week

In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock.

Thomas Jefferson

Major Merger for Presley & Partners and Pisto Marriott, Chartered Accountants

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.