CBIZ Inc. (CBZ) saw its stock price climb by 17% after announcing a definitive agreement to acquire the U.S. operations of Grant Thornton, a major accounting and advisory firm. The deal is valued at approximately $5 billion and represents a significant consolidation within the professional services and accounting industry.

Under the terms of the agreement, CBIZ will integrate Grant Thornton’s U.S. business, creating a larger entity capable of providing a broader range of audit, tax, and advisory services. The merger is intended to combine CBIZ’s existing service capabilities with Grant Thornton’s established market presence. Investors responded positively to the announcement, driving the 17% surge in CBIZ shares as the market reacted to the scale of the expansion. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals, with both companies indicating that the move is designed to enhance their competitive positioning in the professional services sector.