Minneapolis, MN – Carlson Advisors, LLC, Minneapolis CPA and management consulting firm, has announced an expansion of their service capabilities and resources. Seattle based CPA and management consulting firm, G.A. Michael & Company (G.A. Michael) has agreed to join forces with Carlson Advisors and will operate as the West Coast Division of Carlson Advisors. Both firms specialize in providing financial and consulting services to companies in the graphic arts industry. Their combined experience in the industry allows them to provide more solutions to help with the business challenges encountered by graphic arts companies and will increase the depth of their resources as well as their geographical presence.

Carlson Advisors is a leading CPA and business management consulting firm specializing in the graphic arts industry for over 35 years. The firm’s client base includes all aspects of the graphic arts industry including pre-press services, ink manufacturers, sheet fed, digital and web printers, bindery and print finishers, direct mail houses, warehousing and fulfillment services, and quick printers. Reflecting on the impact of the partnership and combining of the two firms, Melvin Enger, President of Carlson Advisors states, “Our firm is very excited to join forces with G.A. Michael & Company. We were first drawn to G.A. Michael because of the obvious similarities in business philosophy, culture, and the industries we serve. We also found that each firm will bring resources and certain expertise to complement our existing service capabilities. ” Carlson Advisors utilizes their experience and up-to-date industry knowledge to help companies recognize and implement improvement initiatives.

G.A. Michael & Company has been providing financial and consulting services to graphic arts companies since 1984. G.A. Michael is one of the only CPA and business management consulting firms in the western United States that specializes in the graphic arts industry. Founder Gerry Michael, CPA, CMA, MBA states, “We are very pleased to be joining the Carlson Advisors team. They bring skills and resources to our firm and to our clients that will complement our industry relationships and strong client base. The real winners in this partnership are new clients who will have access to expanded service offerings in the West and our existing clients who will have access to the enhanced services in IT, estate, and personal financial planning, attest, and valuation services.” Gerry Michael will serve as the Managing Principal of the combined firm’s new West Coast operations, which will open an office in Los Angeles by fall 2011.

Service capabilities include:
- Succession Planning
- Benchmarking
- Financing Solutions
- Forecasting and Budgeting
- Sales Consulting
- Pricing and Costing Studies
- Mergers and Acquisitions
- Strategic Planning
- Print Management Systems
- Management Reporting
- Workflow and Process Improvement
- Operations Review
- Year End Attest Services
- Tax Planning and Strategy