National Accounting Firm Bolsters Presence in Peace Region

Schwab & Associates and MNP Join Forces to Benefit the Peace Region Marketplace with
Greater Resources and Enhanced Services

CALGARY, March 10, 2020 /CNW/ - MNP, Canada's fifth largest national accounting and business consulting firm, announced today it will be merging in Fort St. John and Chetwynd-based accounting firm, Schwab & Associates, effective June 1, 2020. While Schwab & Associates was seeking to deliver more specialty services to their clients, MNP was looking to expand its presence and add more professional resources to serve the Peace Region and Northern B.C.

"Changing market conditions are impacting the way businesses must operate. As such, we are continually looking at new ways to enhance our service offerings and help our clients achieve their goals," said Marco Schwab, Schwab & Associates.

"Not only is MNP the largest of the mid-market focused firms in Canada, it has continued to maintain its Canadian roots, helping Canadian businesses at home and abroad. By joining MNP we add more resources, more specialized services and a wider range of experiences, all of which will bring greater value to our clients. MNP serves a wide range of clients in diverse sectors, including all the key industries we serve and more. This merger is a perfect example of how two firms can come together to give clients the edge they need to stay competitive, overcome challenges and pursue opportunity," added Schwab.

"This merger is truly a win-win for both our firms and the marketplace," said Kory Brazel, Regional Managing Partner for the Peace Region. "As the largest firm in the market, we will be able to provide our clients in Fort St. John, Chetwynd and surrounding areas with unparalleled access to teams who can help their organizations succeed. We are thrilled to welcome a well-established and respected accounting firm that shares our values and client-focused approach."

MNP is one of the largest national accounting and business consulting firms in Canada and employs over 5,000 team members from more than 80 locations coast-to-coast. In addition to tax and accounting expertise, MNP delivers a diverse range of advisory services, including consulting, enterprise risk, corporate finance, valuation and litigation support, succession planning, estate planning, insolvency and restructuring, investigative and forensic accounting, technology solutions, cross-border taxation and much more.

Schwab said one of the factors in deciding to join MNP was the culture: "Although MNP is a large national firm, it's always been known for being local in focus with a small-firm culture and a commitment to supporting the communities where they live and work. We knew joining MNP would be a good fit for our clients and our team and we are excited about the future. To join a firm with the depth of resources that MNP offers, while maintaining our local focus, is truly a unique and exceptional opportunity."

MNP credits its strategic mergers and acquisitions, organic growth, value-added services and values-led culture for catapulting the firm to the highest year-over-year growth rates among Canada's top accounting firms.

"To maintain our culture, we have been very strategic about who we invite to join our family," said Brazel. "Both our firms' cultures and values are well aligned and we share the same entrepreneurial approach to doing business."

About MNP LLP

MNP is a leading national accounting, tax and business consulting firm in Canada. We proudly serve and respond to the needs of our clients in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors. Through partner-led engagements, we provide a collaborative, cost-effective approach to doing business and personalized strategies to help organizations succeed across the country and around the world. For more information, visit www.mnp.ca.

SOURCE MNP LLP