Date of issue: 17th February 2004

Welcome Boost For International Accountancy Network

A move to enhance the services and geographical coverage offered by IA International - a worldwide network of independent accounting, auditing and consulting firms - is being applauded by one of its main members in the UK.

Chartered accountants Clement Keys, Birmingham has welcomed the decision by
IA International and Polaris International to merge and form Polaris IA International, a network organisation which aims to offer a realistic alternative to the international networks offered by the "Big 4".

Polaris IA International was officially formed on January 1 and has a membership of 170 independent accountancy firms operating from 227 offices in 90 countries.

"Polaris IA International will rank among the world's top 20 accountancy networks and the merged organisation will improve the service provided to clients wishing to trade in a number of growing markets including the Middle East, the Asia/Pacific region and Latin America," says Clement Keys, Birmingham partner Alan Robertson. As such the merger strengthens the already wide representation which IA International had in Europe and North America.

Clement Keys, Birmingham is hosting the European, Middle East and African regional meeting of the new Polaris IA International in Birmingham in October. At the meeting representatives of the members firms will meet to discuss key topics such as international taxation, the auditing framework across Europe and the development of new services to be offered by the organisation to clients in Europe.

"We are honoured to be staging one of the key regional meetings scheduled for 2004 and we are committed to helping Polaris IA International build on the expertise of its combined membership and in due course help it to be acknowledged as one of the foremost international affiliations for the supply of independent professional accounting services," adds Alan Robertson.

Polaris IA International is dedicated to meeting the needs of both private sector clients undertaking international business activities as well as major not-for-profit organisations. It can draw on a wealth of expertise in these areas. Currently firms who were members of IA International are principal suppliers of external auditing services to international organisations such as the European Commission. Since 1999 they have conducted in excess of 1,200 audit assignments in more than 35 countries - auditing well over €1,000m of EC expenditure.