Accounting firm UHY Haines Norton will have three offices in Western Australia following a merger with national outfit Sothertons, while Moore Stephens Perth - which absorbed the old UHY practice in WA in 2015 - has announced changes to its leadership team.
Under the merger, which is set to be implemented next month, Sothertons Perth will be rebranded under the UHY banner.
UHY Haines Norton is a network of independent accounting and advisory firms in Australia and New Zealand, which is also part of UHY International.
The network currently includes offices in Dunsborough and Busselton, with the new Perth office - currently trading as Sothetons - set to retain its existing staff.
UHY chairman Michael Coughtrey said the merger would extend the organisation’s brand to 13 offices across Australia and more than 250 staff.
“It’s very positive that we have been able to expand our network through the Sothertons member firms, all of whom have outstanding reputations and long-standing history within the profession in Australia,” he said.
“Most mid-tier accounting networks are finding it difficult to attract new members who can underpin the expertise of the wider group while aligning with the core values of our member firms.
“We have found an ideal match with the Sothertons firms.”
Sothertons chairman Steve Marsten said the company had been looking to expand or merge its operations.
“We were looking for a network that complemented our offerings and added value to our existing member firms in a number of areas, including personalised client service and outstanding technical expertise and advisory,” he said.
“We became affiliated members of UHY Haines Norton last year and are now moving to full membership with rebranding our firms from 1 July 2018.
“This provides a complete footprint across Australia for the merged networks.
“Our clients will benefit from the knowledge and resources of the UHY Haines Norton firms, as well as having access to international offices in the countries where our clients operate.”
Meanwhile, Moore Stephens Perth has announced a number of leadership changes, with audit and advisory partner David Tomasi becoming managing partner, replacing long standing chief executive Michael Bennett.
Also among the changes was the appointment of Peter Gray and Shaun Williams as partners.
Moore Stephens said its Western Australian operation comprises 16 partners and directors, 86 staff, and has a total revenue of $15.5 million.
