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KPMG named ‘Global Firm of the Year
 Four awards for KPMG at Accountancy Age ceremony
The judges said: “This is a firm demonstrating what it means to lead as a global player”
London, November 15, 2007: KPMG was named ‘Global Firm of the Year’ last night at the Accountancy Age Awards – the leading accountancy industry event which recognises ‘the best in the profession’.
KPMG people in the UK also received three other leading awards:
- ‘Accountant of the Year’
- ‘Audit Team of the Year’
- ‘Corporate Finance Deal of the Year’
The former Chairman of KPMG International and KPMG LLP (UK) Sir Michael Rake – who is now Chairman of BT Group plc – received the award for ‘Outstanding Industry Contribution’ after a 35 year career at KPMG, in which he led the firm and the accountancy profession through a period of enormous change.
‘Global Firm of the Year’
This award recognised some of the significant changes at KPMG over the last year. The judges said:
“KPMG showed phenomenal client development that made for significant achievements. They have moved to a new structure and showed examples of new services, innovation and great customer delivery. This is a firm demonstrating what it means to lead as a global player.”
Some of KPMG’s achievements in 2007:
- The merger of the KPMG member firms in the UK, Germany and Switzerland to form KPMG Europe LLP
- Increased revenue in every area of the firm
- Sunday Times Best Company to Work For – highest placed accountancy firm (top three, three years running)
- Auditor of the Year three years running – KPMG audits more companies than any of its competitors
- First firm to form a Carbon Advisory Group – helping organisations to measure and reduce their carbon footprint
- KPMG Foundation pioneers the ‘Every Child a Reader’ programme – now adopted by Government
 The award was received by John Griffith-Jones, Joint Chairman of KPMG Europe LLP:
“I am delighted to receive this award. It recognises the hard work and endeavour of KPMG people and their clients right across our business. It also recognises the fundamental changes we have made at KPMG, which is now the largest accountancy firm in Europe and uniquely placed to serve our clients and the capital markets.”
‘Accountant of the Year’
 Catherine Burnet, a director for KPMG in Edinburgh, was named ‘Accountant of the Year’. The award recognised her central role in helping a leading international bank successfully convert to International Financial Reporting Standards. She has also worked with a number of venture capital and investment trusts, as well as a leading energy company, in bringing clients the latest thinking and impact of the new standards, ensuring that they receive the most up to date advice.
As a team leader, Catherine has earned the respect of the people in her group through her ability to make tough and controversial decisions, combined with measured judgment. Catherine combined her achievements with a full family life, working a four-day week and bringing up two boys.
The judges said:
“Catherine completed some huge projects demonstrating that she is a high-level operator, obviously heading for big things. She’s very talented and clearly has an immense appetite for work and getting things right.”
‘Audit Team of the Year’
The award of ‘Audit Team of the Year’ was received by KPMG’s UK Head of Audit, Richard Bennison. The judges said that ‘KPMG’s entry was a submission that could not be ignored once lined up against the opposition’.
KPMG audits 3,630 UK companies – more than any other competitor – including 22 percent of FTSE100 companies. During 2007, KPMG’s Audit practice created £28 million in new fee income – with a series of significant client wins. It also launched an Audit Response Team, which can mobilise members at very short notice when extra resources are required for a client engagement.
The judges said:
“This was a team with excellent growth achievements, clear signs of innovation and great testimonials from clients. There’s a real sense of change going on in the team with some bold initiatives. An entry that could not be ignored.”
‘Corporate Finance Deal of the Year’
For the second year in succession, KPMG won the ‘Corporate Finance Deal of the Year’. This year’s award recognised KPMG’s work in sealing the acquisition of the motor insurance division of Provident Financial by GMAC Insurance Services, the financial arm of General Motors. KPMG used its market knowledge to value the target business accurately and arrange a winning bid that exceeded the nearest challenger by just a few million pounds.
The £170 million deal was finally accepted in May 2007 and was one of the largest insurance deals ever advised on by an accountancy firm. KPMG’s GMAC team included: Neer Patel, Mark Flenner, Philip Murden and Richard Clarke.
The judges said:
“KPMG’s work was a huge deal that beat the competition from the investment banks. They took the initiative, and the pace at which they got through the deal was extremely impressive. KPMG’s knowledge of the market was clearly second to none.”
KPMG’s ambition
John Griffith-Jones, said:
“The scale and range of awards we have won shows that KPMG is becoming increasingly distinctive among ‘Big Four’ firms. Our vision is to be the best for service quality for our clients, to lead in innovation, to be known for excellence in specific market sectors – and to be the firm that the best people want to work for. Our ambition is that our merger will make KPMG the first choice for our clients and people across Europe.”
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