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Practice News: Moore Stephens recruits IT audit expert

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17th Mar 2014
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A round-up of the latest news, executive moves and acquisitions from the world of practice during March 2014.

Moore Stephens recruits IT audit expert

17 March - Moore Stephens has expanded its specialist IT audit services capability for insurance clients by recruiting Gareth Moors from insurer QBE.

His new role with the firm will include information security work and assurance of cloud-based systems. Moors is an ACCA qualified accountant and a certified information systems auditor (CISA) with more than 15 years’ experience in that specialist field. He spent nearly nine years as an IT audit consultant with KPMG before moving into industry with Burbury, MGL and finally QBE.

“We are seeing an increasing demand for expertise in areas such as cyber security, cloud computing and regulatory compliance and we welcome the depth of experience and knowledge that Gareth will bring to the team to add real value for our clients,”  said Simon Gallagher, head of the Moore Stephens insurance industry group.

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BDO expands leadership team  

11 March - Scott Knight has been appointed as the firm's head of audit and assurance.

He will take up his new role on 1 April and joins the current leadership team. Knight takes over from Paul Eagland, who becomes head of professional services and tax.

Knight joined BDO in 1993 and previously led the firm's audit offerings to listed clients, as well as heading up BDO's natural resources sector offering.

Managing Partner Simon Michaels said: "We're starting to see some of the much-needed change in the audit market and intend to make the most of opportunities that emerge."

"Scott's appointment allows us to do that, while Paul's additional responsibility ensures our core business offering of audit, tax and advisory complement each other." 

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Optionis buys another firm

11 March - Business and freelancer support provider Optionis has acquired Dorset-based accountancy practice Wheatley Pearce as part of its ongoing expansion plans.

The move by the Cheshire-headquartered group helps to bolster its ClearSky brand into a ‘one-stop shop’ for small firms.

Established in 1881 Wheatley Pearce is one of the oldest independent accountancy practices in Britain. Its founder, Colonel Wheatley, was a founding member of the ICAEW.

The firm today has a client portfolio consisting of more than 350 small and medium-sized businesses.

Current owners Ken Butcher and Greg Bemment are staying on full time and will continue to work closely with clients.  

The deal follows the takeovers of Manchester-based Michael Brookes & Co in May last year, and Dorset-based Lofts & Co four months later.

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James Cowper promotes Alan Poole to partner

10 March - Thames Valley accountants and business advisers James Cowper has promoted Alan Poole to partner in its audit and assurance team.

Poole joined James Cowper in 2010 following 12 years with a top-six firm and works with ambitious and fast-growing owner-managed, VC backed and publicly listed businesses.

He has experience in a wide range of sectors and a particular expertise in businesses in the IT and service sectors.

He also works with numerous international businesses, including UK subsidiaries of overseas groups and UK-headed multinationals.

He said: “I am privileged to work with many talented people and to serve many great clients, and I look forward to helping develop the firm further over the coming years.”                            

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