PE-backed Grant Thornton defies market trends with recruitment drive November 18, 2025 Private equity-backed accountancy giant Grant Thornton is bucking the trend in the professional service market with its plans to recruit 160 new partners over the next two years. Back in December, the firm’s partners unanimously voted in favour of an investment from private equity firm Cinven in a deal expected to value the firm at up to [...]
PE, mergers, and AI: Professional services faces its most pivotal moment for 20 years November 18, 2025 The professional services industry is arguably going through its most critical time in the last 20 years. As it sits on its train to the future, where it jumps off will seal its fate, as each move firms take will be critical to what the industry may look like in the next 10 years. While [...]
Confidence in audit quality surges despite knowledge gaps November 17, 2025 Confidence in audit quality has increased but many stakeholders have reported only a partial or limited understanding of the scope of auditor responsibilities, according to new findings. A document from the Centre for Public Interest Audit (CPIA) shows that all three stakeholder groups surveyed – finance directors, equity investors and audit committee chairs – reported [...]
New PE-backed consultancy launches with aim to fix ‘broken” system November 17, 2025 A new, AI-native consultancy firm has launched to address what its founders call the “broken” model of traditional consultancies, which they argue is costing businesses billions for ineffective AI projects. Backed by $15m (£11.4m) in private equity funding from NY-based Siguler Guff, UK-headquartered Valliance launches its “radical new model” of charging based on value delivered, [...]
Trade wars turn demand for global tax advisers in £50bn market November 12, 2025 The global tax advisory growth rate for 2025 is expected to nearly double last year’s rate, driven largely by the policies of the US President Trump’s administration, including trade wars and tariffs. According to a new report by research-led advisory firm Source Global Research, the market value for tax advisory services is forecasted to reach [...]
Evelyn Partners sells employee benefits business to Howden November 11, 2025 Insurance broker Howden has agreed to acquire the employee benefits consultancy arm of Evelyn Partners. The insurance intermediary group has agreed to acquire Evelyn Partners Financial Services (EPFS) for an undisclosed amount. Subject to regulatory approval, the deal is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2026. The acquisition is pitched to enhance [...]
Reeves’ LLP tax proposal will undermine ‘cornerstone of UK economy’ November 10, 2025 A professional services trade body warned that Rachel Reeves’ proposed increase in NICs for LLPs could lead to widespread conversion to limited company structures, undermining a successful British business model. The limited liability partnership (LLP) model, in which members (known as partners) invest their own capital in the business, was introduced 25 years ago and [...]
BDO fined £6.5m after regulator slams it for faking audit evidence November 6, 2025 Business advisory giant BDO has been slapped with a £6.5m fine after two of its former audit engagement partners made admissions of misconduct. The Financial Reporting Council (FRC) launched an investigation after receiving formal complaints about the dishonest conduct of a BDO senior manager between 2015 and 2019, including the creation of false audit evidence, [...]
UK and Irish BDO firms set sights on ‘landmark’ mid-market merger November 5, 2025 The UK arm of accountancy and business advisory giant BDO is in merger talks with its Irish counterpart, highlighting a clear ambition for growth. The potential merger would be a landmark moment for both businesses. It would create one of the biggest accountancy firms in Europe, focusing on the entrepreneurial, growing, and ambitious mid-market heartland. [...]
Minimum wage hike puts pressure on professional starting salaries November 3, 2025 With Rachel Reeves poised to raise the minimum wage in her Autumn Budget, mid-tier professional services firms are bracing for significant impacts across the sector. As reported last week, the Budget will likely see employers forced to raise workers’ wages from £12.21 to at least £12.70 an hour. However, for businesses, especially those in the [...]