This Slo-Mo KPMG Ignition Center Ribbon-Cutting Video Is Oddly Amusing
KPMG and the city of Chicago broke out the giant scissors on April 9, officially opening KPMG’s seventh and largest Ignition Center, located on the 68th floor of the Aon Center. I honestly could care less about the new Ignition Center. If for some reason you do, you can read more about it here. But […]
KPMG Plants the Flag in Myanmar (or Burma or Whatever)
It's really a shame that there are so many countries that don't have a Big 4 member firm to call their own. However, with so many opportunities to provide exemplary professional services across the globe, firms must make tough decisions about where they would like to build a prosperous local firm while maintaining the image […]
The Queen Would Like to Know the Staffing Situation for KPMG’s Banking Clients
If you’re a student of Kylnveldian history – and we know that you are – the fact that KPMG has been auditing the Royal Household’s accounts since before Liz was born doesn’t surprise you. For those of us that weren’t aware of this KPMG fun fact, this is just adds a little more to the blue square mysitque.
Anyway, being the classy gal that she is, Her Majesty showed up last Friday to help mark the opening of the new KPMG building in Canary Wharf. And not only was she thrilled to be there, she surprised KPMG leadership with her affability and interest in the work that non-royals do:
John Griffith Jones said: “She genuinely seemed interested in what we do, especially our charity work and the building’s green credentials. She made a funny comment about Crossrail being delayed and also asked about our role during the crisis.”
Senior partner Eddie Donaldson said the firm was in a “unique position” independently auditing the royal accounts which use public and private money. “The team already see it as a privilege to work on the accounts in the first place and then to meet the Queen was a very special moment in their careers.”
And because she’s concerned about the serious issues out there, Jones was also quoted, “she was very interested to know how many people we had working on the banks.”
The possibility that Queen Elizabeth probably knows more about KPMG than Dick Bové should not be lost on anyone.
BDO Does Some Ribbon Cutting, Opens Raleigh, NC Office
More good news out of B to the D to the O as the firm announced today that it is opening an office in Raleigh, North Carolina (full press release after the jump). This will be the 39th office in the U.S. and fourth in North Carolina. The firm also has eight affiliate offices in the state.
In the process, the firm managed to pick up former Ernst & Young audit partner Michael Dannar (a refugee perhaps?).
The good times at BDO have been aplenty lately as the firm just admitted five partners on July 1 and was given a mulligan on the Banco Espirito lawsuit. Oh and don’t forget that the firm fka BDO Seidman is celebrating its 100th birthday all year.
No word if there will be cake or freakishly large scissors at the celebration but nevertheless, it’s good to see some expansion in the Tar Heel state for a change.
BDO USA, LLP EXPANDS NORTH CAROLINA PRESENCE WITH NEW RALEIGH OFFICE
Chicago, IL – BDO USA, LLP, one of the nation’s leading professional service organizations, has announced an expansion of it’s presence in North Carolina with the addition of a new office in Raleigh. The Chicago-based firm, which now has offices in 39 cities around the country, had previously serviced clients in this market through its Charlotte practice. Pending a move to permanent office space at 5430 Wade Park Boulevard in August, the new practice, which will have approximately 15 staff, will be temporarily located at:
BDO
5410 Trinity Road, Suite 310
Raleigh, NC 27607The Raleigh business community will now have more direct access to BDO’s full array of services which include assurance, tax, risk advisory, financial planning, business restructuring, litigation and fraud investigation services. Michael Dannar, previously with Ernst & Young, has joined the firm as a partner and will assist in serving the firm’s assurance clients in Raleigh and throughout the southeast. Mr. Dannar has significant experience working with colleges, universities and other non-profit organizations.
“We have been working with clients in Raleigh for a number of years now and the time is right for us to establish a permanent presence. This new office will enable us to better serve our clients in this growing market,” said Jack Weisbaum, CEO of BDO USA. “We are also happy to welcome Michael Danner to the partnership. His knowledge of the market will be a valuable resource to our firm.”
BDO SEIDMAN FACTS:
• BDO is celebrating the 100th anniversary of its founding in 1910.
• BDO represents companies ranging from Fortune 500 multinationals to closely-held private businesses.
• BDO had $620 million in revenues in 2009 (6/30/09). Over the past four fiscal years, the firm has averaged double digit growth (10.2%).
• As an independent member of BDO International Limited (the fifth largest global network of accounting firms), the firm can leverage the resources of more than 1,000 member firm offices in 115 countries around the world.ABOUT BDO USA
BDO is the brand name for BDO USA, LLP, a U.S. professional services firm providing assurance, tax, financial advisory and consulting services to a wide range of publicly traded and privately held companies. For 100 years, BDO has provided quality service through the active involvement of experienced and committed professionals. The firm serves clients through 39 offices and more than 400 independent alliance firm locations nationwide. As an independent Member Firm of BDO International Limited, BDO serves multi-national clients through a global network of 1,138 offices in 115 countries.
BDO USA, LLP,a limited liability partnership, is the U.S. member of BDO International Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, and forms part of the international BDO network of independent member firms. BDO is the brand name for the BDO network and for each of the BDO Member Firms. For more information please visit: www.bdo.com.
Moss Adams’ Derek Dowsett Talks to Going Concern About the Latest Ribbon Cutting
Following up from last week, we had the opportunity to speak with one of the lead partners of Moss Adams’ new Santa Clara office, Derek Dowsett.
Mr. Dowsett is the Regional Leader of the firms Technology & Life Science Practice for Moss Adams. He has been with MA for twelve years, being admitted to the partnership in 2006 and previously spent six years with at a Big 4 firm.
With the opening of the Santa Clara office, MA will have approximately 100 professionals working in the Bay area, according to Mr. Dowsett. Because of their close proximity, all the Bay area offices work cross-functionally to provide professional services to serve client needs as they arise:
“We utilize the resources from all of our offices which allows us to provide clients with a fully integrated client service team with the technical and industry knowledge most applicable. For example, I may draw on our international tax expertise from our San Francisco office if one of our clients needs help with an international tax issue or from our transaction services team should a client need help with financial due diligence related to a potential acquisition. Similarly, I help other offices throughout the firm with client issues within the technology and life science industries.”
The balances of services that the office provides will be break down “pretty close to 50/50, perhaps a little heavier on the assurance side” said Mr. Dowsett. MA also provides Advisory and Transaction Services to its clients in the Bay area.
In addition to the client service, Mr. Dowsett said that recruiting for the Bay area will be performed as a joint effort amongst the MA offices, with focus on the schools in the surrounding area. Their efforts will be focused at Santa Clara University, UC Santa Barbara, and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo with possible future expansion to additional schools.
Congratulations and good luck to Moss Adams on their newest location and thanks to Derek Dowsett for taking the time to talk to us. If your firm wants to get in touch with us about any news, send any correspondence to our general mailbox: [email protected].
Deloitte Gets into the Ribbon-Cutting
More giant scissor danger today as Deloitte had its own ribbon-cutting in Arlington, VA to open their new Federal headquarters. According to the firm’s press release will serve as the “hub for Deloitte’s Federal Government Services.”
The firm’s press release explains how this year’s BearingPoint acquisition provided Big D with many plunders:
“The opening of our new Federal headquarters today is the final milestone in the integration of Deloitte and BearingPoint,” said Robin Lineberger, principal, Deloitte Consulting LLP, and leader of Deloitte Federal Government Services. “Deloitte was already a leader in the Federal marketplace, and the acquisition marked an aggressive expansion into the U.S. federal space, gave us increased market share, strengthened our global position and altered the entire competitive landscape. With the integration of the teams now complete, we’re thrilled to continue serving our clients in the important work they do.”
Still feels like Deloitte might be dancing on the BP grave a little bit but maybe that’s just us.
Anyhoo, now that Deloitte is well positioned to get some lobbying done better serve its Fed clients, all the blue collar efforts can focus on The U.
Deloitte Opens New Federal Headquarters In Arlington [Press Release]
Moss Adams Does Some Ribbon Cutting
Moss Adams dusted off the freakishly giant scissors yesterday, as the firm opened a Santa Clara office, according to the San Jose Business Journal.
This is positive news seeing how office closures (and rumors of others) seem to be more prevalent than offices opening.
Rick Anderson, the Seattle-based company’s chairman an ms has “long served clients in the area and it makes sense to have a physical presence in the local market. Moss Adams is a firm that is growing and expanding to meet client and market demand.”
We couldn’t tell you if Rick was actually on hand for the festivities, we’ve been unable to run anyone down and so far there isn’t a press release on the firm’s website. So if you’re in the know, get in touch or discuss in the comments.
Moss Adams opens Santa Clara office [SJBJ]
UPDATE: We’ve just heard back from a MA spokesperson who will be forwarding us the release. We’ll give you the additional particulars when we have them.
UPDATE 2: You can see the entire press release after the jump.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Seattle, Washington – December 1, 2009) – Moss Adams LLP, the nation’s 11th largest accounting and consulting firm, is expanding its existing service in the Silicon Valley with the opening of its fifth northern California office in Santa Clara on December 1, 2009.
With expertise in an array of industries–including technology, life sciences, and manufacturing and distribution–Moss Adams’ teams serve companies ranging from venture-backed start-ups to fully mature public companies, delivering solutions to complex financial and business challenges. In addition to providing assurance and tax compliance services for domestic and international operations, the office will offer a full suite of consulting services, including tax, mergers and acquisitions due diligence, valuations, and internal control consulting.
Rick Anderson, Chairman and CEO, states “We have long served clients in the area and it makes sense to have a physical presence in the local market. Moss Adams is a firm that is growing and expanding to meet client and market demand.”
According to Derek Dowsett, one of the lead partners transferring to the new office and the regional leader of the Firm’s Technology and Life Sciences Practice, “I look forward to expanding our presence in the region as one of the team members based in the new office. Many of our current technology and life science clients are located in Silicon Valley and a local office will increase our availability to them and allow us to get more involved in the community.”
About Moss Adams LLP
Moss Adams LLP (www.mossadams.com) provides accounting, tax, and consulting services to public and private middle-market enterprises in many different industries. Founded in 1913 and headquartered in Seattle, Washington Moss Adams has 21 locations in Washington, Oregon, California, Arizona, and New Mexico.
Moss Adams is the 11th largest accounting and consulting firm in the United States, and the largest headquartered in the West. Its staff of over 1,800 includes more than 240 partners. Moss Adams is also a founding member of Praxity, a global alliance of accounting firms. This alliance is an association of independent firms in the major markets of North America, South America, Europe, and Asia.