Guam accounting firm Slater Nakamura & Co. LLP joined accounting giant Grant Thornton International as a member firm Jan. 1.
Established on Dec. 1 2000 partners in Slater Nakamura & Co. are Roger D. Slater and Keith T. Nakamura. The office provides a variety of services including audit compilations accounting software consulting write-up income tax bankruptcy accounting estate and trust accounting litigation support services forensic accounting services and construction contract funds escrow services for a bonding company. Between them the partners have experience in the automotive public utility retail construction and the hospitality industries.
Nakamura told the Journal “Because of Grant Thornton’s pride in its internal control standards the process took one calendar year. We were reviewed for due diligence by the Asia Pacific divisional audit specialist — twice.” He said clients will see no change in services and level of personal contact but the office will now be able to call on the resources of Grant Thornton worldwide. “In addition ” he said “we feel that this is another benefit for Guam in that it will continue to promote Guam internationally and put Guam on the map.”
Apart from the two partners the firm has five professional accounting staff and one administrative staff member. The linkage with Grant Thornton will mean growth for the new firm from its present annual revenues of approximately $500 000. Nakamura said “We expect to grow substantially over the next several years and look forward to hiring experienced professionals to keep up with that growth. There will be opportunities for experienced staff and college graduates to join our firm.”
Before the partnership Slater had launched a management consultancy; was formerly chief financial officer for Pacific International Co. Inc.; and previously vice president and chief financial officer for the General Motors and Mercedes-Benz divisions of Atkins Kroll Inc. Before the partnership Nakamura was an independent CPA; formerly assistant general manager and controller at the Palace Hotel Guam; and previously vice president and chief financial officer at Pacific Island Movers.
Each member firm in Grant Thornton International is independently owned and operated. Chicago-based Grant Thornton LLP is the U.S. member firm of Grant Thornton International. Grant Thornton LLP was founded in Chicago 80 years ago is the nation’s fifth largest accounting firm and reported revenues of $565 million in fiscal 2004. It ranked highest amongst accounting firms managing audits with clients with less than $1 billion in revenue in the J.D. Power and Associates 2004 Audit Firm Performance Study. London-based Grant Thornton International has 565 offices in 110 countries. MBJ
