The local accounting firms of Cross, Fernandez & Riley, LLP (C/F/R) and Beckert, Price, & Rowse, P.A. (BPR & Company) recently announced a merger. Effective August 1, 2008, BPR & Company will be recognized as Cross, Fernandez & Riley, LLP

"BPR & Company has a very rich tradition in Polk County and we have a great deal of respect for their team," stated Jim Cross, Managing Partner of Cross, Fernandez & Riley, LLP. "Our decision to merge was based on a number of
factors but for the most part we recognized that we shared similar service philosophies – believing in the value of
relationships and always putting clients first while focusing on giving back to the community. Combining our
resources and knowledge base is a tremendous win for our clients and our professionals."

Cross, Fernandez & Riley, LLP has roots in Central Florida dating back to 1963. Based in Orlando, Florida, C/F/R serves closely-held businesses along the I-4 corridor from Tampa to Daytona Beach. Founded in 1980, BPR & Company is also a locally-owned accounting and consulting firm serving clients throughout Polk County. Both firms take a progressive approach to traditional services including accounting, auditing, tax planning and compliance and consulting. Together, the firms will maintain specialties working with both public and private mid-sized businesses in the real estate, timeshare, not-for-profit, manufacturing/distribution, construction and agriculture industries. In addition, the firm has an experienced IT specialist armed with the knowledge to perform systems implementations and other IT consulting services. C/F/R will continue to offer additional services in forensic accounting and litigation support, business valuation, emerging business, HR consulting and finance and accounting recruiting.

"We view this merger as a marriage of similar values," said BPR & Company President, Howard Beckert. "Our main goal as a firm is to provide exceptional client service through close personal attention to our clients. Collectively, we believe this move enhances our ability to reach our goal and allows us to more effectively serve as a trusted advisor for our clients."

The merged practices will retain the name Cross, Fernandez & Riley, LLP and the Orlando and Tampa office locations will remain the same. The new C/F/R office location in Polk County will be located in the former BPR & Company facility at 525 Pope Avenue, NW, Winter Haven, Florida 33881. The professionals at Cross, Fernandez & Riley, LLP can be contacted at (407) 841-6930 in Orlando and at (863) 299-5638 in Winter Haven.