The Rehmann Group, one of Michigan’s largest CPA and consulting firms, announced plans to merge with Troy-based Perrin, Fordree & Company effective January 1, 2005.

The announcement comes less than a year following The Rehmann Group’s merger with Southfield-based Parker Wittus & Co. The Rehmann Group has nearly 400 professionals in 11 cities across the state with annual revenues exceeding $40 million. Perrin, Fordree & Company, which will assume The Rehmann Group name, employs 38 professionals with annual revenues of $5 million. These three well-established firms bring more than 180 years combined experience to Southeast Michigan.

"With more than 100 employees in the Metro Detroit market, we are better positioned to serve middle-market companies," said Steve Kelly, CEO of The Rehmann Group. "Companies have been looking for alternatives in the professional services marketplace, and we believe we are now that strong alternative with the recent and pending mergers."

"Our goal is always to become better, not bigger," adds Kelly. "While some organizations merge with the simple goal of market share expansion, we think the real value of a merger is the expanded talent we bring to the table."

The merger brings together an alignment of partners with representative strengths in The Rehmann Group’s core industry segments, including manufacturing, government/nonprofit, healthcare, service business, retail/distribution, real estate, and international as well as closely held companies, according to Kelly.

"For Perrin Fordree, this merger represents an opportunity to even better serve our clients with a diverse array of business consulting and financial advisory services," said Robert Gigliotti, managing director of Perrin Fordree.

One of the strongest capabilities Perrin Fordree brings to The Rehmann Group is its Center for Entrepreneurial Growth & Business Excellence, which opened in 2001. The Center provides a multitude of nontraditional, financial and business services to serve client needs.

"The Center was created out of the need to accurately address the concerns of small- to mid-size business owners," Gigliotti explained. "It is an invaluable resource for companies who consider continual growth and increasing quality to be core business values, and who are always looking for ways to improve."

The Rehmann Group and the newly merged firms are preparing for a move into new office space in Fall 2005, placing all three firms together in one Troy-based location, said Kelly.