People Moves: RSM, Crowe, Grant Thornton and more

People moves September 6th. Accountancy Age reviews the moves and new hires in the industry this week.

RSM appoints new private client director

RSM has appointed Adela Cebotari as a private client associate tax director in Chelmsford. Cebotari is experienced in the private client tax sphere, having trained with medium sized firms in London.

“I’m very proud to be part of the firm and really enjoy being surrounded by an energetic, enthused and committed group of professionals who share a great wealth of knowledge. This is an enormously exciting opportunity for me,” said Cebotari.

“The team at RSM has really impressed me. Based in Chelmsford we work very closely with our London office as well as RSM offices nationally and internationally, which is a great way of providing our clients with the best suite of services relevant to their affairs,” she added.

Robert De La Rue, Chelmsford Tax Partner for RSM said of the appointment: “I’m delighted that Adela has chosen to join RSM. She brings a great depth of knowledge with a passion for terrific client service. She is a powerful addition to our team, and we look forward to introducing her to the private client market in Essex and beyond.”

New Leadership at CFA Institute

CFA Institute, the global association of investment management professionals, announced that Margaret Franklin, CFA, begins today as the organisation’s new President and CEO. Diane Nordin, CFA, becomes Chair of the Board of Governors, and Daniel Gamba, CFA, now serves as Vice Chair of the Board of Governors.

“I am very excited to be starting work this week and am truly honoured to assume the role of President and CEO of CFA Institute,” said Franklin. “I value my long professional relationship with CFA Institute and am both humbled and honoured to lead this august body of professionals.”

Franklin has been a leader in the investment management industry for 28 years, most recently as President of BNY Mellon Wealth Management in Canada and head of International Wealth Management in North America. Her experience has been gained at firms ranging from large, global asset managers to start ups, including Marret Private Wealth, State Street Global Advisors and Barclays Global Investors. Her work has included advising individuals, families, pension plans, endowments, foundations and government agencies.

Crowe appoints non-profits partner

National audit, tax, advisory and risk firm, Crowe, have promoted Tara Westcott to partner in the Non-Profits team.
Previously a director at the firm, Westcott will continue to provide external and internal audit, financial reporting and accounting and regulatory compliance services to a wide range of clients.

“Tara’s talent and experience has long been held in the highest esteem by her colleagues and clients,” said Nigel Bostock, Chief Executive of Crowe UK. “Her hard work, insight and depth of knowledge has been invaluable to Crowe in recent years and this will continue as she becomes a key figure in our leading Non-Profits team.”

“I am absolutely delighted to have been invited to join the partnership team at Crowe,” said Westcott. “I very much look forward to continuing to help grow our non-profit offering, working with our talented non-profit teams nationally. Crowe is an exceptional firm and I am very proud to be part of it.”

Grant Thornton grows Aberdeen office

Grant Thornton has bolstered its team serving high-growth businesses in the North East of Scotland with two new hires.

Susan Roberts, oil and gas sector expert, has been appointed senior manager in corporate tax after joining from The Kanoo Group. Yomi Solanke also joins the team in Aberdeen as assistant manager in Audit.

Commenting on her move to the firm Roberts said: “Grant Thornton has a strong client portfolio in Aberdeen, and I am delighted by the opportunity to join the firm at such an exciting period of growth. Its combined reputation as a leading advisory firm, the impressive team, and world-class clients have all helped to make the decision to join an easy one.”

Solanke added: “My past experience in commercial auditing has given me a deeper understanding of the many challenges affecting the audit process. Grant Thornton’s strong position within the mid-sector audit market offers an excellent opportunity to apply my industry knowledge to an already strong team.”

Heather Smallwood, Director at Grant Thornton, said of the appointments: “Susan and Yomi bring further depth and strength to our growing team. Their unique perspectives and combination of skills is an important step in strengthening and developing our position within the regional market, further benefitting the way we support businesses across North East Scotland and operating internationally.”

BDO welcomes record number of new trainees

BDO LLP has expanded its 5000 strong workforce by welcoming 430 new trainees across the business. A mixture of graduates and apprentices will sit within BDO’s tax, audit, advisory and business services and outsourcing streams, throughout the firm’s 17 UK office locations.

“There are a number of standout moments for me each year but seeing our new trainee intake is a personal highlight, especially when it is a record number,” said Paul Eagland, managing partner at BDO.

“Almost half of our new trainees are in our offices outside of London, and I am really pleased that we have increased the number of apprenticeships we offer by 40%. As someone who started their career in accountancy as an apprentice, I see myself as an example of how someone with or without a university degree is able to rise through the ranks.

“All of the trainees have been selected based not only on their academic achievements but because we believe they demonstrate the values, attitudes and skills that fit with BDO’s culture.

“In February we completed our merger with Moore Stephens LLP, so it is fantastic to be adding more great people to the enlarged firm. Attracting new, fresh talent is vital in order to remain dynamic and forward-thinking and to help our ambitious clients succeed.”

Kreston Reeves recruits 34 new students

Kreston Reeves today announced that it has appointed 34 new trainees and students across its offices in London, Kent and Sussex.

The new intake of trainee accountants and financial advisers includes a mix of GCSE and A-level students, graduates, those on industrial placements, and part-qualified students completing their training, all of whom will all benefit from the firm’s award-winning training programme.

Richard Heasman, Human Resources Partner and Head of Forensic Accounting at Kreston Reeves said: “Kreston Reeves has a best-in-class recruitment and training programme with competition for spaces tough. Our congratulations and a very warm welcome go to this year’s 27 trainees. The addition of such a large pool of fresh talent and perspectives makes the firm well equipped to continue to grow and develop, and provide the highest quality client service to its clients across the region.”

MHA Carpenter Box welcomes 13 trainees

Sussex-based chartered accountants, MHA Carpenter Box, has recruited its largest ever intake of new trainees. Over the last year, 13 new trainees have joined the firm which has offices in Brighton, Worthing and Gatwick.

Nine of the 13 are enrolled on the firm’s Platinum Accredited training programme on the road to the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) qualification. Three are studying towards the Institute of Chartered Accountants (ACA) qualification whilst one trainee is studying towards a tax qualification with the Association of Tax Technicians (ATT).

MHA Carpenter Box Managing Partner, Alan Edwards, who himself joined the firm as a trainee 26 years ago, was keen to welcome the new trainees on board, commenting: “As MHA Carpenter Box continues its year on year growth, I am thrilled to welcome such a talented group of new trainees to the firm.

“The investment we make in training the next generation of accountants, tax and business advisers focusses on helping them develop their understanding of business so that they will be able to help our clients prosper. I wish them all every success as they take their first steps in their chosen career now and over the coming years.”