MNP LLP Now Coast to Coast Serving Canadian Companies
CALGARY, Oct. 17, 2016 /CNW/ - MNP LLP, one of Canada's largest national accounting and business consulting firms, announced today that WBLI LLP, will merge with MNP, effective January 1, 2017. While WBLI was looking to expand their breadth of specialty services, MNP was seeking to build on its presence in Atlantic Canada with a well-respected and client-focused firm that shares the same values.
"This merger is strategic and historic for MNP as we will now provide all of our services from coast to coast," says Daryl Ritchie, Chairman of the Board, MNP. "MNP's strategic plan for growth and our entrepreneurial spirit have always been the driving force behind our success and this merger builds on our plans for expansion in Atlantic Canada. With WBLI on board, we can now truly call Atlantic Canada home."
MNP acquired PwC's Atlantic Canada consumer insolvency practice and its 31 offices in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, PEI and Newfoundland in March 2016. "This acquisition expanded the MNP brand into the Atlantic Canada marketplace, adding to the firm's Insolvency service line which has grown substantially since then, but MNP was still seeking an established, respected firm to join forces with to establish and grow its accounting, tax and consulting presence in the region," says Jason Tuffs, CEO, MNP. "This is a significant milestone for our firm and we couldn't be more excited to have found the perfect firm to merge in."
Headquartered in Halifax with an office in Truro, WBLI has grown to become the region's largest independent and full-service firm of chartered professional accountants, consisting of 11 partners and over 70 professional and administrative staff. Established in Atlantic Canada in 1976, WBLI delivers a full range of accounting, tax and business advisory services to a diverse range of clients and sectors, including: private enterprise, professionals, agriculture, fishing, mining, forestry, real estate and construction, franchises, non-profits, and Aboriginal organizations and communities.
"In addition to sharing common values and client-centred approach, MNP understands all of the specialized markets and sectors in which our clients operate and more. MNP also provides us with a large national presence and access to hundreds of MNP experts and specialists in service lines that we do not currently offer," says Kirk Higgins, Managing Partner, WBLI. "Even with the service lines our firm is strong in such as accounting and assurance, corporate finance, valuations, insolvency, mergers & acquisitions and taxation, the bench strength MNP will bring when we combine our expertise in these areas will be second to none."
MNP's Jeremy Cole, Executive Vice President for MNP's Ontario, Quebec & Atlantic Region adds he sees great opportunity in the region. "The Halifax region is a major economic centre in Atlantic Canada with a large concentration of private sector companies, government services, healthcare, leading universities and Aboriginal organizations and communities. We have extensive experience serving these sectors across Canada and combining our industry insight, experience and resources with WBLI will ultimately benefit our clients."
"Atlantic Canada is rich with innovators, opportunities, and good ideas. It's essential we continue growing with our clients and the marketplace," adds Higgins. "One specialty that particularly attracted us to MNP was its international tax practice and we're thrilled to be able to leverage their in-depth knowledge in this area to help our clients thrive in today's global marketplace. Coming together will strengthen and deepen our existing leadership and offer our clients local, regional and international expertise where and when they need it."
Higgins says that joining MNP will also enhance their Insolvency division, WBLI Incorporated. "MNP's Insolvency division, MNP Limited, has been helping individuals and businesses across Canada resolve their financial problems for more than 50 years. With the added locations they bring to Atlantic Canada, we can assist even more individuals and businesses on their journey to financial stability."
WBLI said what appealed to them most about MNP was not only their 60-year history and diverse range of clients and specialty services, but the fact MNP has been recognized as one of the 50 Best Employers in Canada by AON Hewitt for eight consecutive years.
"MNP is more than just a large national accounting firm with a long history," says Higgins. "Knowing their team members value the firm and continue to feel valued themselves brings us a lot of confidence we are joining the right firm."
The WBLI partners and staff will remain in their current locations, which will be rebranded as MNP in the New Year.
About MNP LLP
MNP is a leading national accounting, tax and business consulting firm with more than 65 offices and 4,000 team members across Canada. National in scope and local in focus, MNP has proudly served and responded to the needs of their clients in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors for almost 60 years. Through partner-led engagements, they provide a collaborative, cost-effective approach to doing business and personalized strategies to help organizations succeed across the country and around the world. For more information, visit www.mnp.ca.
SOURCE MNP LLP
Jason Tuffs CPA, CA, Chief Executive Officer, MNP LLP at 403.444.0150 or [email protected]; Jeremy Cole, CPA, CA, Executive Vice President, MNP LLP at 416.596.1711 or [email protected]; Kirk D. Higgins, FCPA, FCA, Managing Partner, WBLI LLP at 902.493.5452 or [email protected]
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