The acquisition of Bell Advisory marks Top 75 firm’s second deal in a month as Quantuma continues on acquisition trail

As part of the exclusive Accountancy Daily Top 75 Firms trainees survey, Philip Smith analyses the driving factors shaping the recruitment market for trainees, part qualifieds and newly qualifieds based on Hays data with salaries split by qualification and geographic location 

High demand for training places at the leading accounting firms belies the fact that trainee numbers are down. Philip Smith analyses hiring trends, the use of apprenticeships and attempts to improve diversity across the profession

New year plans fall by the wayside as accounting firms return to the comfort of client service rather than focusing on a long-term strategy, but all businesses need to know where they are going, says Keith Underwood

Cooper Parry, which quit the PKF network last May in a dispute over plans for geographic expansion, has reported near double digit organic growth

Mid-tier audit firm Mazars has been lined up to take over the audit of AIG UK, the subsidiary of the listed US insurance giant AIG, breaking a 40-year PwC audit relationship

Top 20 firm MHA MacIntyre Hudson has finalised a deal to merge its Milton Keynes operations with Keens Shay Keens MK LLP

As part of a major regional expansion, PwC has started moving staff into a new Midlands headquarters at One Chamberlain Square in Birmingham’s Paradise development

Regional accountancy firm Milsted Langdon has acquired Bristol based accountants and business advisory firm Houghton Stone, bringing all staff on board as part of the merger

Failings in the quality of risk assessment into revenue recognition issues and reporting lapses over potential conflicts of interest and partner independence continue to be an issue at EY although the firm has improved its overall quality of audit in this year’s Audit Quality Inspection (AQI) report from the Financial Reporting Council (FRC)

Baker Tilly is to shed its old brand and take on the mantle of the global RSM network as RSM International drops the ‘International’ part of its name as part of a global rebrand. This incorporates a refreshed new logo for its 84 firms across 110 countries – and its UK member, Baker Tilly, will rebrand its UK operation and rebadge its regional offices under the RSM label, reports Penny Sukhraj

Mid-tier accountants Chantrey Vellacott DFK is merging with Moore Stephens, bringing the firms’ combined turnover to £156m, with over 1,700 partners and staff