Grant Thornton acquires S&W LLP, promotes Michelle Alphonso to PE leader

Grant Thornton has acquired S&W LLP, a boutique Toronto-based accounting firm. The company also promoted Michelle Alphonso to head of the national private equity sector.

Founded in 1979, S&W provides small business accounting, business advisory account services, rental properties services, tax planning accounting, and estate tax planning accounting services. The firm has a team of seven people, including two owners.

“Joining Grant Thornton means our clients will have access to more resources and personnel than ever before,” said Nick Sawrantschuk, managing partner at S&W. “I’m excited about this new journey!”

S&W’s Toronto location will close and the team will move to Grant Thornton’s Georgetown location. Sawrantschuk, who has 25 years of accounting experience, will join the firm as a principal.

Grant Thornton earlier this year added Ajax, ON-based Hurren Sinclair MacIntyre and Alliston, ON-based KD Wray Professional Corp.

The national accounting and consulting firm also announced that Michelle Alphonso will lead the firm’s private equity sector in addition to her current role as partner and transaction advisory services head, which she has held since 2019.

Alphonso has nearly two decades of experience in transaction analytics, deal execution, and post-merger optimization – having advised on a billion dollars worth of corporate finance transactions.

She joined Grant Thornton’s Toronto office in 2016 as a managing director in the transactions practice. Prior to that Alphonso spent five years at Collins Barrow Toronto (now RSM Canada), where she was a senior manager in corporate finance. She began her career at EY, where she spent nearly six years and was latterly a manager in transaction advisory services.

Alphonso holds a bachelor’s degree in business from Indiana University and is a US certified public accountant and certified valuation analyst, as well as a licensed exempt market dealer.

“Michelle has a proven ability to analyze and navigate complex information and develop strategies to address client challenges and opportunities,” said Troy MacDonald, partner and national advisory service line leader. “Her technical expertise combined with proven leadership skills will help enhance our Advisory Services practice and support our growing team.”