Deloitte rejigs audit team

Accounting firm Deloitte has undergone two major changes to its audit practice this week, recruiting Ernst & Young principal Tim Richards and saying goodbye to long-serving partner Graham McHarrie .

Mr McHarrie, who joined Deloitte’s Perth practice in 1972, has accepted a three-year appointment with the firm in Brisbane.

A Deloitte spokesperson said Mr McHarrie’s move followed an opportunity created for a senior partner with resource expertise.

Mr Richards, who has joined Deloitte as a non-equity partner, brings 11 years’ experience with Andersen and Ernst & Young to his new role.

He told WA Business News he saw more growth opportunities at Deloitte and felt that its client base of small to mid-sized listed companies was an area to which he could add more value.

The changes at Deloitte leave the firm with four partners in its assurance and advisory services (i.e. audit) division.

Mr Richards was among about 120 Andersen staff who joined Ernst & Young in May 2002, entrenching the latter firm’s position as the market leader in WA.

His departure has encouraged speculation about the four Andersen partners still at EY.

However, EY managing partner Michael Minosora said he no longer considered the Andersen integration an issue and was focused on the firm’s growth.