Wipfli, Eide Bailly: Announce plans to merge

Press Contacts

Jennifer Hacker Olsen

952.548.3389

jolsen@wipfli.com

Liz Stabenow

701.239.8686

estabenow@eidebailly.com

The merged firm will have 2,327 partners and associates, and annual revenue of more than $314 million, placing it among the top 15 accounting firms in the nation

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN (January 6, 2012)— Wipfli LLP and Eide Bailly LLP, two prominent accounting and consulting firms that rank among the largest in the country, today announced plans to merge their professional practices. Pending regulatory approval, the two firms will officially combine on June 1, 2012.

The combined firm will be named EB Wipfli LLP, and will rank among the nation’s top 15 accounting firms, with annual revenue of more than $314 million. Combined, the new firm will serve more than 70,000 clients from 41 offices across the west-central United States and two offices in India. EB Wipfli will provide a comprehensive range of audit, tax, accounting, consulting, and professional advisory services to public and private companies across the country and internationally.

In a joint statement, Jerry Topp, Managing Partner/CEO of Eide Bailly, and Rick Dreher, Managing Partner/CEO of Wipfli, said, “Together, our firms will have the depth of resources necessary to help our clients meet their future challenges and leverage future opportunities. We are excited about what this merger will mean for our clients our associates and our partners.”

Topp, who will serve as Chairman of the merged firm, commented, “We are proud to join forces with a firm of similar size, scope, culture and service philosophy. Eide Bailly and Wipfli are both committed to offering our clients top-quality service and customized solutions to help them thrive, and to providing our staff with a positive culture and exciting career opportunities.”

Dreher, who will serve as the Managing Partner/CEO of the merged firm, said, “We have forged mutual respect and a strong relationship with Eide Bailly over the years, and feel this is an outstanding opportunity to combine our collective talents and strengths to enhance the value we bring to our clients, associates and the communities we serve.”

According to Topp and Dreher, client service is a hallmark of both firms’ service delivery. “Our firms have achieved success through personal business relationships. We know clients appreciate our genuine desire to learn more about their businesses, and value our ability to apply our knowledge to their specific needs. This will not change with the new firm.”

The new firm will be comprised of 2,327 associates, including 301 partners. Among the combined firm’s many strengths, its national wealth management practice will rank as one of the largest in the accounting profession with nearly $3 billion in assets under management.

About Wipfli LLP

With over 1,000 associates and 22 offices in the United States and India, Wipfli LLP (Wipfli) ranks among the largest accounting and business consulting firms in the nation. For over 81 years, Wipfli has provided private and publicly held companies with industry-focused assurance, accounting, tax and consulting services to help clients overcome their business challenges today and plan for tomorrow. The firm’s clients include manufacturers, construction companies, contractors and developers, real estate companies, health care organizations, financial institutions, insurance companies, nonprofit organizations, units of government, dealerships and individuals. Through the firm’s membership in PKF North America, Wipfli can draw upon the resources of 264 firms in 120 countries around the world. For more information, visit http://www.wipfli.com.

About Eide Bailly LLP

Eide Bailly LLP is a regional certified public accounting and business advisory firm that serves more than 40,000 clients from 19 offices in nine states. With nearly 1,200 partners and staff members, Eide Bailly is ranked by Accounting Today as the 24th largest CPA firm in the nation and as a Top 5 Pacesetter in Growth (March 2011). Since 1917 the firm has provided private and publicly held businesses with audit, accounting and tax services, as well as specialty services, including employee benefits, enterprise risk management, financial services, forensic and valuation, technology consulting, training and development, transaction services and wealth management. Eide Bailly is an independent member firm of HLB International, a worldwide network of professional accounting firms and business advisors that is comprised of more than 14,000 professionals located in 500 offices across more than 100 countries. For more information, visit http://www.eidebailly.com.