News briefs

FINANCIAL RESULTS
WHK Group revenue on the rise

Australian consolidator WHK group has released its 2008 year-end
results showing a 29 percent growth in revenue from A$304 million
($260 million) in 2007 to A$393.4 million this year. The Horwath
International member also reported a rise in cash earnings of 22
percent to A$30.9 million for 2008. The financial services group
said a key attribute was the strong performance of its business
services line. The group’s growth was also due to the expansion of
its Australian and New Zealand network by acquisition during the
year with annualised revenue from these additions totalling A$65.7
million.

RECRUITMENT
E&Y Australia expands tax team

Ernst & Young Australia (E&Y) has expanded its Brisbane
tax team with the addition of seven new employees. The additions
are all former employees of Damien Burke and Associates, a tax and
commercial litigation practice. Damien Burke will head the Brisbane
tax controversy team, which will focus on dispute resolution,
including tax litigation, mediation and negotiated settlements. It
will also focus on support services in relation to Australian Tax
Office risk reviews and tax audits. E&Y managing partner Jenny
Parker said the development of the firm’s Brisbane tax practice was
in response to the demand for services.

PEOPLE
GT partner joins standards board

Grant Thornton US national professional standards partner Phil
Wedemeyer will take up a position on the American Institute of
Certified Public Accountants Auditing Standards Board (ASB) in
December this year. The ASB is charged with issuing auditing,
attestation and quality control standards applicable to the
performance and issuance of audit and attestation reports for
non-issuers. Prior to joining Grant Thornton, Wedemeyer worked at
the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, where he established
and directed the office of research and analysis.

MERGERS AND ACQUISITIONS
Ottawa firm merges with Deloitte

Deloitte Canada has signed a memorandum of understanding with
Ottawa-based professional services firm Scott Rankin & Gardiner
(SRG) to merge the two firms. SRG has 30 staff including partners
and offers a range of business services.

PEOPLE
MGI appoints UK director

Robert Radford has been appointed as the UK director of global
accountancy association MGI. Radford is managing director of the
MGI member firm The Rowleys Partnership based in Leicestershire. As
UK director, he will be responsible for the active representation
and promotion of MGI both nationally and internationally. Paul
Winder, chief executive of MGI, said: “The appointment of Robert to
the position of UK Director of MGI recognises his technical ability
and background as well as his lecturing experience and expertise,
skills which will be vital in moving our business forward.” Radford
joined The Rowleys Partnership in 1998 as an audit and technical
partner. He has previously worked for nine years lecturing and
providing audit and accountancy technical support to independent
firms in the UK.

MERGES AND ACQUISITIONS
Indiana firm strengthens health care consultancy

Katz, Sapper & Miller, a US member firm of Baker Tilly
International, has merged with fellow Indiana firm Heaton and
Eadie. Katz, Sapper & Miller is a full-service accounting firm,
providing accounting, taxation and business management services
with specific expertise in health care and employee benefit
consulting. Heaton and Eadie also specialises in these areas. The
partner in charge of the Katz, Sapper & Miller health care
services group, David Charles, commented: “We had a desire to
expand our resources and service to our health care clients. Heaton
and Eadie has distinguished itself in this area and we are pleased
to find that our firms share values and visions of quality and
personal service.” Following the merger, Katz, Sapper & Miller
has about 300 staff and 35 partners.

MERGES AND ACQUISITIONS
Smith Cooper secures small Midlands firm

Smith Cooper, a UK-based business advisory firm, has acquired
Birmingham accountancy firm Anderson KBS. The acquisition adds 12
staff and expertise in accountancy, audit and tax services. Smith
Cooper partner John Southwell said: “We have been doing business in
Birmingham for years, many of our clients’ professional advisers
and bankers are based here, so Smith Cooper is already known among
the professional community. As the Midlands’ regional financial
centre, it is a key element of our strategic growth plan to
establish a permanent presence in Birmingham.”