Exhibit 23(a)



               CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS


         We have issued our report dated December 3, 2001, accompanying the
consolidated financial statements and schedule of Resource America, Inc. and
subsidiaries included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
September 30, 2001, which are incorporated by reference in this Registration
Statement on Form S-8 for the Resource America, Inc. 2002 Non-Employee Director
Deferred Stock And Deferred Compensation Plan. We consent to the incorporation
by reference in the Registration Statement of the aforementioned report.





/s/ Grant Thornton LLP
-----------------------------
    Grant Thornton LLP

Cleveland, Ohio
August 20, 2002