WithumSmith+Brown Global Assurance Expands With Creation Of Private Equity Services Division

PRINCETON, NJ, March 26, 2006 - WithumSmith+Brown Global Assurance (WS+B GA) www.wsbga.com, a full-service provider of Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) compliance, internal audit, IT and risk assurance consulting services, has announced the creation of its Private Equity Services Division which will offer extensive support for private equity-backed middle-market entities to implement best business practices and strengthen internal controls in order to attract additional investment and meet regulatory guidelines that will secure future success. In addition, WS+B GA has also developed a line of solutions that will help private-equity supported entities become more efficient and attain compliance. 

“Today’s investment and regulatory environments demand private firms develop a long-term strategy for success that focuses on how a business operates just as much as the products or services it offers,” said Thomas A. Basilo, Chairman and CEO, WS+B GA. “Many private firms recognize that SOX has become the standard by which they will be compared and evaluated. Our Private Equity Services are scalable and designed to help them meet those standards and invest in their future.”

Priced to reflect the budgets of mid-sized firms WS+B GA’s Private Equity Services offer private firms and mid-to-late equity funds an experienced source of subject matter experts that can assist with a variety of needs including mergers and acquisition support, internal audit outsourcing or co-sourcing, valuations, tax compliance and advice, deal structuring, technology audits and corporate board creations. In addition, WS+B GA helps these entities establish a documented system of internal controls and assesses those controls for efficiency and effectiveness.

WS+B GA’s expertise and unique methodology helps companies develop a strong infrastructure and increase its ability to outperform rivals and enhance the bottom line. A new line of solutions--Private Equity Portfolio (PEP) management and SOX¹²³-- employs WS+B GA’s unique methodology which offers a streamlined process to prepare users for SOX compliance while also laying the foundation for an integrated audit. Post merger/acquisition services are also available to assist newly created entities construct effective and efficient business processes.

“Middle market companies are demanding an efficient approach to the onerous compliance rules of Sarbanes-Oxley,” said Basilo,” and PEP and SOX¹²³ offer them a cost effective solution. This can only be accomplished by having people well-versed in the needs of Private Equity-backed companies and that is why we formed the Private Equity Services Division.”

About WithumSmith+Brown Global Assurance, LLC
WS+B GA is headquartered in Princeton, New Jersey and provides counsel and project support for Sarbanes-Oxley and other internal audit and risk assurance related services. WS+B GA offers a staff of highly-trained individuals who are subject-matter experts on a wide range of compliance, corporate governance and business process issues. The firm serves a diverse clientele ranging from public middle-market companies to pre-IPO and private equity/venture capital-backed corporations. WS+B GA offers clients innovative methodologies that are entrepreneurial in spirit resulting in a customized approach stressing hands-on, personalized service. For more information please visit www.wsbga.com.