National growth strategy reinforces Grant Thornton’s unparalleled position in mid-tier market.
Grant Thornton South Africa announced this morning that the PKF office in George, Western Cape will join Grant Thornton to become the 10th office in South Africa, further strengthening its national footprint and enhanced client services offering throughout SA.
The merger is effective 1 August 2013, when PKF George will officially become part of Grant Thornton South Africa. It is the first time that Grant Thornton South Africa will have a presence in George, and the new region will provide additional resources to the national firm.
This merger announcement follows just one month after the merger of PKF Johannesburg’s office with that of Grant Thornton Johannesburg which saw staff numbers double to over 500 employees in the Sandton CBD.
In March 2013, another three -way merger saw TIS/Fintis and Rebahale, two black-owned professional services firms, merge with Grant Thornton South Africa to enhance its position in the public sector, underlining the firm’s commitment to continuing transformation.
The new addition in George further reinforces Grant Thornton’s position as 5th largest professional services firm in South Africa (ranked by fee income) according to the November 2012 International Accounting Bulletin (IAB) SA survey. Grant Thornton International Ltd. is the fastest growing global network and was recognised as the 2013 'Network of the year’* by the IAB. This achievement is one of the most significant accolades within the accounting profession.
Charles Minie, current managing partner of the George office will assume the role of managing partner of Grant Thornton George also effective today, 1 August 2013.
“We’re delighted to join Grant Thornton. Our office in George has a dedicated focus on privately held businesses and we believe in providing personal partner attention to our clients as a differentiating approach – something that Grant Thornton encapsulates too,” says Charles Minie, managing partner Grant Thornton George. “We share Grant Thornton’s ambition to help clients unlock those parts of their businesses that have the potential to grow.”
Grant Thornton South Africa (formerly Kessel Feinstein) was established in 1920 and PKF Johannesburg was founded in 1943 as Fisher Hoffman. Both firms share a rich heritage in the rainbow nation, something which endorses the natural cultural fit of PKF and Grant Thornton, providing assurance, tax and advisory services to dynamic organisations, namely listed companies, privately held businesses and private equity backed organisations.
Other PKF offices in South Africa will continue to trade under the PKF name.
“PKF George’s culture is well aligned with that of Grant Thornton’s and we look forward to combining our intellectual and technical expertise to offer clients enhanced services to meet the challenges of the nation’s current economic conditions,” concludes Deepak Nagar, national chairman, Grant Thornton South Africa.
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