Global and local changes locked in for mid-tier

As well as announcing a new global chief executive, one mid-tier firm has appointed a senior manager from KPMG as director, with a view to up its tax team’s presence and reach in the South Australian market.

Katarina Taurian -

Wednesday, 14 Jun 2017 0 comments

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Effective yesterday, BDO confirmed Stephen Nisbet has joined the Adelaide firm after 11 years as a senior manager with KPMG’s Corporate Tax division.

His key areas of focus in his new position will be to growth the Adelaide office’s corporate and international tax team.

Speaking to Accountants Daily, BDO managing partner, Adelaide, Rudy Pieck said Mr Nisbet’s addition to the team will help address challenges clients are facing as they expand into overseas markets.

“We are increasingly finding that our clients are keen to grow into new markets – especially overseas. However global expansion adds further complexity in managing their tax affairs,” he said.

“There is also the backdrop of new legislative requirements being imposed on Australian businesses. The addition of Stephen to our team will strengthen our capability to help our clients meet these challenges.”

Mr Nisbet also told Accountants Daily he is confident of the impact he can have on the small business market in Adelaide.

“Adelaide has a strong SME market and I see tremendous potential for BDO to build relationships with this section of the business community,” he said.

On Monday, BDO also announced that its global CEO, Martin van Roekel, would be succeeded by Keith Farlinger, former chief executive of BDO Canada and currently heading up the network’s Americas arm.

Mr van Roekel will officially step down as chief executive at the end of October, after six years in the role.

“I intend to continue the same pace of development and level of activity that [Mr van Roekel] has set in motion and trust that I can actively contribute to the further growth and success of the BDO network,” said Mr Farlinger.

“It is important that the change process and strategic approach introduced in recent years continues to be implemented successfully. It is my aim to ensure the further positive development of our member firms and of the network as a whole.”

Mr van Roekel will continue with BDO in the capacity of vice-chairman of BDO. In this new role he will work with the global board and incoming chief executive to deal with a number of the network’s strategic priorities, one of which will be China and Hong Kong.