BDO lead cut as top AIM auditor
BDO sees lead cut as top AIM auditor as chasing pack close in
BDO HAS RETAINED its position as the top auditor of AIM-listed companies, albeit with a reduced lead after its rivals all pulled in new clients, according to the latest quarterly figures from Adviser Rankings.
The mid-tier firm suffered a net loss of one client over the three months to 5 July, while the chasing pack of Grant Thornton, KPMG, PwC and Deloitte all made net gains over the period. GT pulled in three clients through the quarter, and KPMG added four AIM stocks – a net gain of seven clients since the beginning of the year.
Numbers for PwC were stagnant during the early part of 2014, but a brace of clients in the second quarter has provided fresh impetus.
There were changes to the mid-table rankings with both Chantrey Vellacott and Welbeck Associates moving up into joint 12th place on the back of single gains, while a trio of wins has propelled Jeffreys Henry ever close to a top-ten ranking.
Grant Thornton retained the lead in the technology sector, while KPMG moved into outright second ahead of PwC.
A solitary gain allowed BDO to move further ahead at the top of the basic materials rankings. There was limited movement in consumer goods, although Chantrey Vellacott added to its client roster, while EY moved into joint fourth on the back of a single gain over the quarter.
The industrials sector had a quiet quarter, though BDO, KPMG and Baker Tilly added to their sector rosters. There was, however, no shortage of activity in the oil & gas sector. A fruitful quarter saw both PwC and KPMG move into equal second place in the rankings with Deloitte, while a single gain for UHY Hacker Young moved the auditor into joint eighth with Nexia Smith & Williamson.