SPRINGFIELD, IL November 21, 2007: Thomas R. Krehbiel, CPA, Partner in Charge of the Sikich Certified Public Accountants & Advisors Division, Springfield Office, announces that Sikich has entered into an agreement to acquire the accounting, tax, and management consulting practice of Clifton Gunderson in Springfield. Krehbiel expects to finalize the acquisition by December 1, 2007. Clifton Gunderson’s technology consulting and financial institutions practices will remain in Springfield.

“We expect a smooth transition and continued quality service for our clients,” said Steve DeBruyn, managing partner of Clifton Gunderson’s Downstate Illinois Client Service Center. “Sikich has earned a strong reputation for outstanding advice and expertise, client service, and community leadership. We are confident the firm will provide our Springfield employees with greater resources and capabilities to maintain the highest level of commitment to our clients.”

DeBruyn added, “Our relationships with our clients are of great importance to us and we value them. The decision to sell our Springfield office was a difficult but necessary one. We believe our clients will benefit from this development – as the combined expertise of our Springfield professionals with Sikich creates more opportunities to better serve them.”

Clifton Gunderson partner, Dennis J. O’Brien, CPA, will join Sikich as a partner. Additionally, all of the Clifton Gunderson accounting and tax staff will join the Certified Public Accounting & Advisors Division of Sikich except for senior manager Terri Phelps who will transfer to Clifton Gunderson’s Danville office. The new employees will relocate to the Sikich office building at 1000 Churchill Road, Springfield. Sikich will employ 78 people in Springfield after the acquisition is completed.

Krehbiel said that currently he and O’Brien are contacting clients to inform them of the change and answer questions they may have about the transition or about Sikich. “Our goal is to assure clients of both firms, Sikich and Clifton Gunderson, that their interests are our primary concern. We will do all that we can to make the process seamless and transparent, while maintaining Sikich’s high standards for delivering exceptional client services,” Krehbiel stated.