BDO Dunwoody and Grant Thornton have entered into merger talks that could see the Canadian arms of the BDO and Grant Thornton international networks join.

Preliminary discussions between the firms have shown 'potential opportunity for both organisations including their respective clients, employees and partners' the parties said.

Representatives from both organisations will engage in a due diligence process to further assess the merits of a combined firm.

Grant Thornton has 370 partners and 2900 employees working in 99 offices across Canada. BDO Dunwoody has more than 315 partners and 1900 employees in 95 offices in Canada.

'A merger would represent a marriage of opportunity - a combined firm would reflect a merger of two strong firms,' said Alex MacBeath, chief execuyive of Grant Thornton.

Gilles Chaput , chief executive of BDO Dunwoody, said: 'a combined firm would have enhanced strength, capacity, depth'.

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