Local accountancy firms merge

Tauranga firms KPMG and Frasers Ltd are merging forces to become the largest accounting firm in the Bay of Plenty.

From January 1, 2013, Frasers Ltd will cease to exist and its staff will operate as part of KPMG Tauranga.

The merger, announced today, was said to be "a perfect fit'' by KPMG's office managing partner Glenn Keaney.

He said Frasers Ltd staff brought "a wealth of knowledge and experience'' to the partnership and KPMG would flourish as a result.

"[The two companies] are very complementary in many areas, people, culture, clients, and our strategy for the future,'' he said.

The merger is part of KPMG's growth agenda and can been seen as a commitment by the combined accountancy teams to the future prosperity of their clients, Mr Keaney said.

"The merger displays KPMG's willingness to expand in Tauranga and the Bay of Plenty and will give the Frasers team access to specialist tax and audit services in the Tauranga office as well as the backing of KPMG's national and international advisory services,'' he said.

"Frasers Ltd bring a wealth of knowledge and experience with Graeme Fraser's strategic acumen, Barbara Glynn's extensive tax consulting skills, and Angela Thomas as a management advisor. The combined teams will see KPMG's Tracy Preston-Lett and Paul Stott working closely with FRASERS Dawn Witheford, Paul Toomey and Shannon Hannah to build KPMG's client base.''

Graeme Fraser of Frasers Ltd said the firm's clients would benefit from the increased resources available through the KPMG network, while preserving and maintaining the relationships they had with the Frasers team.

He said the Frasers team were looking forward to the merger.

"We are moving with the times. Larger, stronger [and] more efficient businesses will be best for all in the post global financial crisis future,'' he said.