Accounting firm BDO is closing down its local cyber and risk advisory offerings, with Western Australian chairman of partners Pippa Hobson among the staff losing their position.
Managing partner Peter Toll said the changes followed a strategic review that began six months ago.
“Following this review the leadership team has redefined its strategic priorities,” he said.
“While some team members have been successfully redeployed, a rebalance of remaining staff was unavoidable.”
Business News understands about 10 staff will be leaving the firm between now and June 30.
Mr Toll said BDO Perth will continue to provide cyber and risk advisory services through its national team, in conjunction with local relationships and capability.
“At a local level, technology advisory will be an important focus for the medium term,” he said.
Ms Hobson was recruited from Crowe Horwath in February 2018 and in November of that year became chair of BDO’s WA practice.
The closure of risk advisory come just a few months after Andrew Hillbeck, who had been BDO’s lead partner for risk advisory services in WA, moved to rival firm Deloitte.
Mr Toll said the decision was not directly related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Like a lot of other Australian companies, BDO is working through a number of strategic challenges as part of the severe economic impacts of the virus, however, this decision is not directly linked to the pandemic,” he said.
Mr Toll said measures taken by BDO Perth included redeploying people into areas of the firm that were experiencing high client demand, reducing working hours for some staff members who had less client work, and asking staff to take annual leave in areas with less demand.
“This situation requires a balancing act - to meet our client’s needs and safeguard our people,” he said.
“Beyond our commitment to the safety of our people, our overarching objective is to keep the firm in a strong position.”
