BDO shows interest in Andersen
BDO Stoy Hayward may be in line for rescue talks with Andersen after the Big Five firm was ditched by Ernst & Young and Deloitte & Touche.
Although the mid-tier firm said it was not in formal talks with the beleagured Enron auditor, managing partner Jeremy Newman said BDO would be interested in acquiring some of Andersen’s regional firms.
He told the Evening Standard: ‘There are a number of options for the future of Andersen in the UK including the fragmentation of the practice which could be picked up by a number of interested parties, ourselves included.
‘We would be interested in parts of the firm some of which we would find very interested in quality people and quality clients.’
The number six firm, which is understood to be looking to expand, would be interested in acquiring Andersen’s Leeds office according to the paper.
This would not be the first time BDO showed an interest in the Big Five firm. Last August, BDO acquired Andersen’s Croydon office.
With other Big Five rivals dropping out of the bidding, the landscape is open to mid-tier firms interested in buying Andersen’s regional offices.