strength of the bowed arm 50 ensure support of the bottom surface 20 adjacent the rear edge 24 of the countertop 12 as the cabinets 52 or other support structure upon which the countertop assembly is mounted settle over time the bowed arm 50 provides a variety of other functions which will be discussed in the following disclosure the mounting bracket 16 further includes an outwardly facing backsplash alignment flange 54 shaped and dimensioned for receipt within the alignment slot 36 of the backsplash 14 and an outwardly facing backsplash retaining flange 56 shaped and dimensioned for receipt within the retaining slot 38 of the backsplash 14 as will be discussed in greater detail below the alignment flange 54 helps to properly orient the backsplash 14 with respect to the countertop 12 while the angled nature of the retaining slot 38 and the retaining flange 56 work to lock the backsplash 14 in position adjacent the vertical wall surface 46 in addition the alignment flange 54 pushes the backsplash 14 flush with the top surface 18 of the countertop 12 helping to lock the backsplash 14 in position relative to the countertop 12 in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention the retaining flange 56.