FIDUCIAL REGIONAL MANAGER WILLIAM D. MORICE APPOINTED TOBOARD OF CAPITAL AREA FRANCHISE ASSOCIATION (7/01)

The Capital Area Franchise Association, a professional forum for area franchisors, suppliers and consultants, has elected William D. Morice to its Board of Directors. Morice is the eastern regional manager for Fiducial, one of the nation's largest networks of advisors serving the tax, financial and business needs of middle- to upper-income families and small businesses.

Morice is a CPA and joined Fiducial late last year when the company acquired Century Small Business Solutions, where he had been vice president responsible for the Northeast region. Prior to joining the corporate staff, he spent 10 years as a franchisee of General Business Services (which eventually merged with Century) and served as a master franchisor for that organization covering several mid-Atlantic states. He holds a B.S. in electrical engineering from the University of Maryland in College Park and an MBA from Emory University in Atlanta.

The Capital Area franchise Association provides a relaxed but professional forum for area franchisors, suppliers and consultants to discuss and exchange ideas, receive industry updates and attend thought-provoking programs pertaining to franchising. The Association's Board is comprised of 12 other executives with varied backgrounds including franchising, business management, legal counsel, advisors and writers.

Fiducial provides monthly financial statements and analysis, payroll, budgetary planning, business valuation, bookkeeping and other services to small businesses, including independent operators, chains and franchise organizations. Many of the company's U.S. offices are Franchises themselves. Morice thus brings to Capital Area Franchise Association the benefit of seeing Franchising through the eyes of franchisee, franchisor and service provider.

In his role on the Board, Morice will offer advice on programs that will provide timely topics and enhanced opportunities for Capital Area Franchise Association members.

According to Capital Area Franchise Association's executive director, Valerie Maioni, "Bill is an asset to the program because of his depth of knowledge regarding small business, management and franchising. He will be instrumental in identifying key issues and analyzing legislation."

Morice says he welcomes the opportunity to serve on the Board because it complements his efforts at Fiducial to help others succeed in business.

"Helping colleagues grow and prosper gives you an even better feeling than helping clients," he says.

About Fiducial
Fiducial is an international service provider for tax, financial and business services serving small businesses, entrepreneurs, and middle- to upper-income individuals. Fiducial consists of a network of business advisors located in nearly 800 U.S. offices incorporating the former Century Small Business Solutions, E.K. Williams, General Business Services, Comprehensive Business Services and Triple Check Income Tax Service franchise networks. Each company-owned and member office operates under the "Fiducial" brand and is committed to uniform quality standards. This professional services network is supported by Fiducial Support Systems, which provides assistance in marketing, human resources, research and development, technical applications and services and other non-core business areas.

Through its entry into the U.S. market in 1999, Fiducial has become the largest network of professional services advisors. Founded in 1970, the privately held company has annual revenues in excess of $300 million. Fiducial owns an additional 450 European offices throughout France, Belgium and Switzerland and employs 4,500 employees.