Grant Thornton Advisors completed its acquisition of CBIZ on Nov. 2, 2026, in an all-cash transaction with an enterprise value of $5 billion, expanding its professional-services, tax and advisory business.
The closing announcement said CBIZ shares have ceased trading on the New York Stock Exchange. The combined organization ultimately plans to operate under the Grant Thornton brand. Jim Peko will continue as chief executive of Grant Thornton Advisors and leader of its multinational platform.
Two important distinctions
The completed acquisition does not mean every related combination has closed. A separate attest transaction involving Grant Thornton LLP and CBIZ CPAs is expected to close later this year, according to the announcement.
Grant Thornton LLP provides audit and assurance services; Grant Thornton Advisors provides non-attest services, including tax and advisory work. The entities should not be treated as interchangeable.
CBIZ’s Benefits & Insurance Services segment has also been established as an independent company backed by New Mountain Capital in connection with the closing. It is not simply another division of the combined advisory organization.
From agreement to integration
The July 29 agreement announcement set out $55 per CBIZ share in cash and a planned fourth-quarter closing. It also outlined the intended separation of the benefits and insurance business.
For clients and commercial partners, the immediate consequence is a change in ownership and a planned common brand. Broader service capabilities are the companies’ strategic rationale; closing alone does not demonstrate improved service quality or technology-driven productivity.