BDO, the world’s fifth largest accountancy network, last week announced the appointment of a new member firm in the Eastern Caribbean, comprising of the islands St Lucia and St Vincent, effective 15 October 2009.{{more}}

The new firm, the legal name of which is BDO Eastern Caribbean, is the result of a partnership agreement between two existing firms of local origin in Kingstown, St Vincent and Castries, St Lucia. The combined firm is well-respected in its respective marketplaces, in particular in the field of audit which is the major service line for each, together with assurance, tax and business advisory services.

Floyd Patterson (St Vincent) and Brenda Williams (St Lucia) are the joint managing partners of the new firm and both have considerable experience in the audit and accountancy field and have worked in the Caribbean for a number of years.

“This is a very exciting development for our new firm, as well as for BDO”, says Floyd Patterson. “There is no doubt that our membership of BDO will enhance our local profiles, as well as giving us significant competitive advantage in a location in which not all of the larger accounting networks have representation”.

Adds Brenda Williams: “Our two firms know each other well and have given each other mutual support in recent years in the form of technical advice and quality reviews. We share common values both with each other and with BDO and we are passionate about our firms and our profession. Our new relationship with BDO can only improve our working processes and our service delivery to our clients”.

Jeremy Newman, CEO of BDO comments: “We know that close and effective relationships matter to our clients. By expanding our presence in this region, we can more effectively support our clients as they grow, as well as ensure their quicker access to the BDO professionals who can give them straightforward practical and technical advice. This new member firm is a welcome addition to our existing firms in the Caribbean and reflects our commitment to have member firms in all countries where our clients need us to have a presence. ”