The UK practice of international accountancy firm Mazars, last night scooped one of the top honours at the industry's foremost annual awards ceremony, the Accountancy Age Awards 2008.
The firm was named "Large Firm of the Year" in recognition of its significant achievements during the last 12 months, including:
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Substantial growth across all departments, especially the core disciplines of audit and tax: Mazars is now the 8th largest provider of audit services by fee income and has the fastest growing tax practice among the Top 20 firms
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Standing out among its peers for advancements in a number of areas including: cross-border transactions; (acting as reporting accountants for 11% of the foreign companies listing on AIM); a robust offering to the financial services sector; establishing a global centre of excellence for project finance, and launching a rapidly growing regulatory compliance service.
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Actively engaging in the industry wide debate on audit competition and choice - partner David Herbinet is a member of the FRC's market participants group
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Taking a primary role within the Mazars group: the UK office fronts the global service line for entrepreneurial clients and leads on all aspects of talent management and human resources
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Moving its London head quarters to the prestigious Tower Bridge House and establishing a presence in Jersey and Belfast
The judges concluded:
"The firm has shown a terrific performance and has moved into a new space through acquisition. The firm makes a huge contribution to the profession and has won some very impressive work. There's clearly innovation under way and this was an entry that just could not be ignored."
The award was received by partners David Herbinet, Head of Public Interest Markets, and Alistair Fraser, International Head of Owner Managed Businesses.
David said:
"This is a fantastic birthday present for Mazars' ten year anniversary in the UK following the merger with Neville Russell. It has been an exciting journey but it does not stop here. We believe that there is more room in the accountancy market for a different kind of firm, more integrated, more responsive to clients' needs, more human and one which serves the market as a profession rather than as a business. We will keep developing and demonstrating our difference."
Alistair added:
"We are absolutely delighted to receive this award - it means a great deal to the partners and their teams to be recognised for the incredible hard work, dedication and commitment they have demonstrated to the firm and its clients."
Senior Partner David Evans commented:
"I am extremely proud that Mazars has been named Large Firm of the Year. Without doubt the last year has been one of our most exciting and successful ever and this award is a fantastic conclusion."