BDO UK and Ireland Close to Putting Merger Plan Before Partners

BDO UK is in advanced merger talks with its Irish affiliate as the firm looks for regional consolidation.

The UK’s fifth-biggest accounting firm said Wednesday it was in “the concluding phase” of talks over the merger, subject to partner and regulatory approval. The combined firm would add BDO’s two Irish offices to the UK arm’s 18, with combined revenue of nearly £1.1 billion ($1.4 billion) and 542 partners.

BDO’s core mid-market clients are increasingly looking for help with cross-border issues, UK Managing Partner Mark Shaw said in a statement. “In this environment, where markets are more inter-dependent than ever, it ...