Scott Sanders and Michael Thaler, formerly partners of Lazar, Sanders, Thaler & Associates, LLP are merging into ERE LLP, headquartered in Manhattan, New York and satellite offices in Valhalla and Jericho NY. ERE sought Sanders and Thaler to assist with managing the firm's Long Island office and to provide significant practice development in that market. The merger will create a combined firm in excess of $22 million in annual fees, making it one of the area's premier firms focused on serving the business and financial advisory needs of a diversified client base with niches in non-profits, real estate, high net worth individuals, financial services, business valuation and estate planning services.

"Adding the talent of these two highly skilled partners and their staff helps us to better serve our growing Long Island office. We are enthusiastic about continuing the high level of service and expertise Scott and Michael have provided their tremendous client base," said Ira Rubenstein, Managing Partner of ERE. "Both Michael and Scott are well known and respected for excellent client service and a successful track record of practice growth and development."

This is the third merger that ERE has completed in the last 12 months. Rubenstein continued, "Our firm recognizes that in today's troubled economy, maintaining the strength of our firm depends not only on our existing staff and clients but also a diversified group of partner skills enabling us to provide our loyal client base with even more services to help guide and support them and place them in the best position possible to ensure their success, whether that be for their business or personal accounting, tax, and financial planning needs."

Accounting Transition Advisors, a merger and acquisition consulting firm exclusively serving the national accounting community, assisted in this transaction.