Numbers add up for BDO deal

Accountancy firm BDO has confirmed it’s in advanced talks to merge with rival Moore Stephens.

The combined company would overtake Grant Thornton to become Britain’s fifth largest accountant, behind the so-called big four of Deloitte, PWC, EY and KPMG. The deal is expected to complete in spring 2019 and the new group will trade under the BDO brand.

It would have annual revenues of £590million and employ 5,000 people across the UK.