The partners of the Spanish arm of the global KPMG network have voted to join the European partnership, alongside the UK, Germany and Switzerland.

The combined firm will now boast more than 23,000 partners and staff from 75 offices in four countries, with revenues in excess of €4.2bn in 2007.

In the year to September 2007, revenues at the Spanish firm were €175m.

The vote, which took place on Friday, is now subject to the approval of the UK, German and Swiss partners.

The senior partner of KPMG Spain will join the KPMG Europe board.

Rolf Nonnenmacher and John Griffith-Jones, joint chairmen of KPMG Europe LLP, said: 'We warmly welcome the decision of our colleagues in Spain to join the KPMG merger in Europe. Their decision to join builds on the foundations formed when the UK, Germany and Switzerland member firms agreed to merge and we are delighted that they wish to become part of our ambition to create the most successful professional services firm in Europe, for the benefit of both our clients and our people. We look forward to other member firms joining in due course.'

John Scott added: 'This move is a definitive step in our goal to consolidate our reputation as employer of choice. It will increase our ability to recruit and retain talent, will develop wider career opportunities with more options to participate in cross-border projects, and will promote deeper knowledge sharing. Consequently, our capabilities to add value to our clients will enhance our competitive advantage and market leadership.'