Madison Dearborn Partners has injected growth capital into Stephano Slack, the Wayne, Pennsylvania accounting and advisory firm. The investment follows a co‑investment from Norlantic Capital, though the deal size remains undisclosed. Existing leadership, headed by CEO Michael Stephano, will retain control, signaling confidence in the firm’s strategic trajectory. The capital will fund expansion into new service lines and geographic markets.

Jim Brady, former chief operations officer of Grant Thornton, joins Stephano Slack as executive chairman, bringing deep audit expertise. His appointment aims to accelerate client acquisition and bolster the firm’s advisory capabilities. Investors view the move as a signal that the firm intends to compete more aggressively with larger national players in the fragmented accounting sector through technology‑driven solutions globally.

The partnership positions Stephano Slack to scale its midsize client base while preserving the boutique culture prized by its founders. For Madison Dearborn, the deal expands its portfolio in professional services, a sector benefiting from heightened demand for compliance and digital transformation. The transaction underscores continued private‑equity interest in consolidating the accounting market and driving operational efficiencies across firms today.