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News-In-Brief

Today’s news in brief – 9/10/2024

Forvis Mazars has appointed Jon Marchant as the new office managing partner for its Bristol branch. Marchant, who has been with the firm since 2014, succeeds Amy Reynolds and brings over 25 years of experience in auditing and advising businesses across sectors like manufacturing and technology. In his new role, Marchant will focus on expanding the firm’s mid-market and public interest entity audit services, as well as enhancing private client offerings in the region. He expressed excitement about leading the office’s growth and leveraging the firm’s global network to better serve clients in Bristol and the South West.

Sumer Group has strengthened its people and culture team by hiring Mairi McInnes as internal communications lead and Emily McCollum as talent acquisition sourcing partner. McInnes brings experience from FTSE 100 companies and will advise regional hubs, while McCollum has a proven background in high-growth recruitment. The team, launched in June 2024, aims to enhance the company’s focus on nurturing employees amid its expansion. Gill Peden, director of people and culture, emphasised the importance of fostering an adaptable culture, while McInnes praised the company’s commitment to employee empowerment and work-life balance.

PKF Smith Cooper has hired Nick Skidmore as a transactions tax manager to support its growing tax team. Based in Birmingham, Skidmore is a chartered accountant and tax adviser with a strong background in advising private and family-owned businesses. His expertise spans business sales, acquisitions, corporate reconstructions, and succession planning. Skidmore expressed enthusiasm for working on complex tax projects, while Adam Rollason, the firm’s head of Transactions Tax, praised Skidmore’s passion for tax and extensive experience. His addition is expected to enhance the firm’s transactions tax offering across the Midlands market.

Paul Knopp, KPMG US chief, has called for changes to accounting qualification requirements amid a declining number of students entering the profession. Accounting undergraduates in the US have dropped to a 15-year low, with fewer students taking the CPA exam. Knopp proposes replacing the fifth year of education with an apprenticeship model to address this crisis, enabling students to start working earlier while meeting technical and professional skills. He highlighted the urgent need for more accountants, both within the Big Four and across corporate America, and noted KPMG’s efforts to raise salaries and reduce workload pressures to attract talent.

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