HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Gov. Dannel P. Malloy announced Wednesday that an audit and accounting firm is expanding operations at its three Connecticut sites, promising to create 500 jobs with state help potentially reaching $14.5 million.

Deloitte and Touche, an audit, financial advisory, tax and consulting firm, will expand operations at its Hartford, Stamford and Wilton locations.

Based in New York City, Deloitte said it will create between 200 and 500 new jobs in Connecticut and keep its 1,153 current employees in the state. It said the jobs range from entry level to high-level executive jobs.

The company will receive grant money between $9 million and $14.5 million over six years if it meets hiring targets.

State support will be provided through the governor's First Five program, intended to spur large-scale business development. The program consolidates state tax credits to draw businesses investing $25 million in Connecticut and creating 200 jobs over five years.

Henry Phillips, northeast regional managing partner for Deloitte, credited the economic development program for helping the company expand in Connecticut.

The announcement was the second in as many weeks. Malloy announced on July 18 a state loan of $19 million to bring steel product companies to Connecticut and the creation of 400 jobs.

And in June, Alexion Pharmaceuticals Inc. was lured to New Haven with as much as $51 million in state aid in exchange for up to 300 new jobs.