SS&G, Torch Group Form
Outplacement Services Group

Growing needs of laid-off workforce require specialized services

January 6, 2009 - Cleveland, Ohio

CLEVELAND, OH - SS&G Financial Services and Torch Group, Inc. have created a joint venture, SS&G/TorchGroup Career Transition Services. CTS provides a comprehensive, yet cost-effective career transition solution for companies, non-profits and other organizations finding themselves having to dismiss workers; as well as individuals who are out of work.

SS&G/TorchGroup Career Transition Services offers value, flexibility, and customized services that companies are looking for in times of economic hardship. Seasoned outplacement and human resources professionals provide personal career coaching, workshops, and technology tools and job search methodologies to out-placed individuals. Office space, with Internet access, administrative support and phones, is also available to aid job seekers. These services are currently being offered in Cleveland, Akron and Westlake Ohio with plans to expand into Columbus, Cincinnati, and Erlanger, Kentucky later in the year.

The collaboration is the result of the changing needs of clients of SS&G and Torch Group, as well as many other companies and businesses in Ohio. Both companies are experienced in human resource services and have established client bases with specialized talent needs. The partnership extends the groups' expertise in talent acquisition, human resources, and career counseling to offer outplacement and career transition services to businesses, nonprofits, and individuals.

"We recognize changes in the business environment require specialized services and there are few in the marketplace available to assist companies prepare their workers for what lies ahead," says Gary Shamis, CPA, M.Acc., managing director of SS&G Financial Services, Inc. "We pooled our resources to provide an option for companies wanting to remain engaged corporate citizens and invest in the future of the workforce."

"Although both of our organizations are adept at meeting human resources needs in the marketplace, the fallout from the economy is leaving workers unprepared for the extreme level of competition for fewer jobs," says Ronald Torch, CEO of Torch Group. " Our goal is to help companies and other organizations to transition laid-off employees and prepare those workers to position themselves more assertively in the marketplace by providing cost-effective options that can be customized to each organization's specific needs."

ABOUT SS&G FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC.
SS&G (www.SSandG.com) is a full-service certified public accounting, business advisory, and management consulting firm encompassing assurance, tax, employee benefits, and restaurant financial services. SS&G also provides a broad scope of services through its health care, wealth management, and payroll entities. With offices in Cleveland, Akron, Columbus, Cincinnati, and Westlake, Ohio, and Erlanger, Kentucky, and more than 425 employees, SS&G is one of the nation's largest independent accounting and business consulting firms. SS&G is a member of The Leading Edge Alliance, an international professional association of independently owned accounting and consulting firms.

ABOUT TORCH GROUP, INC.
Torch Group (www.torchgroup.com) headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio is a highly-specialized staffing and talent firm that provides customized solutions to businesses, companies, nonprofits, and organizations across North America. Torch Group's services include professional interim staffing, contract consultants, outsourced projects, executive search and career transition services. The firm's specialization is providing its clients with professionals skilled in strategic and tactical marketing, online, sales, creative, and communication disciplines.