Contact: Jane Kneebone
Deloitte
Media and communications
0416 148 845

Contact: Giam Swiegers
Deloitte
CEO
+61 2 9322 7635

Contact: Vessa Playfair
Deloitte
Director of Communications
+61 2 9322 7576

Contact: David Murray
Deloitte
Partner, Growth Solutions
(02) 9322 7792

Deloitte, one of Australia’s largest professional services firms, is merging with the Melbourne office of professional services firm BDO, making it one of the largest professional services firms in Melbourne with revenues in excess of $200 million. The merger will take place in July 2006.

Across Australia, Deloitte will now have 321 partners, 3200 people and revenue of $600 million.

Commenting on the merger, Deloitte’s CEO Giam Swiegers said, "It is a friendly merger with both firms recognising the cultural fit and growth opportunities for this new partnership. The Melbourne office of BDO will merge with our fast growing Growth Solutions practice and continue to focus on high growth companies, high net worth individuals, government and listed small caps."

Neil Cathels, Managing Partner of BDO’s Melbourne Office said, "We think this merger adds a lot of value for our clients and staff. When we were in discussion with Deloitte we thought long and hard about the cultural fit and opportunities it would create.

"BDO clients and staff will be able to access the deep global resources of one of the most successful professional services firms in the world, a firm, who shares our long-standing commitment to working with fast growing companies across a range of industries.

BDO’s client portfolio closely matches that of Deloitte Growth Solutions, particularly in relation to private clients, government and small cap listed organisations, and includes a strong focus on the health, education and not-for-profit sectors.

The merger increases total partner and people numbers in the Melbourne office of Deloitte to 110 partners and 1200 people. Growth Solutions in Melbourne will increase from six partners to 24 partners and will have now have 249 people.

"Deloitte Growth Solutions will become one of the largest service lines across the firm, with 68 partners and 677 people offering a range of services to growing companies and sitting beside our tax, consulting and financial advisory, audit, enterprise risk services and e-business practices", Mr Swiegers said.

David Murray, Deloitte Growth Solutions national leader said, "This merger reinforces Deloitte’s commitment to Victoria’s fast growing middle market sector. Deloitte has invested in people and technology to ensure we continue to provide premier service to fast growing companies across a range of diverse industries."

Media Backgrounder

• Deloitte, one of Australia’s leading professional services firms, provides audit, tax, consulting, and financial advisory services through almost 3200 people across the country. Focused on the creation of value and growth, and known as an employer of choice for innovative human resources programs, we are dedicated to helping our clients and our people excel. ‘Deloitte’ refers to the Australian partnership of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu and its subsidiaries
  
  
• Deloitte Australia’s revenue was $520 million as at May 31 2006, an increase of 9.3% on 2005. For the 2007 year, revenue is expected to grow by 18% exceeding $600 million
  
  
• following the merger with BDO’s Melbourne office, Deloitte will have 321 partners, 3200 people and revenue of $600 million
  
  
• Deloitte has a strong commitment to Australia’s fast growing middle market. Its Growth Solutions practice focuses on high growth companies, high net worth individuals, government and listed small caps
  
  
• Growth Solutions has plans to launch a product in the next few months to help smaller companies set up an e-business site
  
  
• following the merger, Deloitte Growth Solutions will become one of the largest service lines across the firm with 68 partners and 677 people
  
  
• Audit comprises approximately 20% of Deloitte's business. It is a fast growing practice with demand for international accounting standards skills and enterprise risk services also contributing to strong growth
  
  
• Deloitte is the only Big Four accounting firm to have a consulting capability with over 340 people and which includes a highly successful e-business consulting practice Eclipse
  
  
• two years ago the Australian practice focussed on being the first choice for talent in Australia, putting in place a diversity strategy, reinforcing its successful internal cultural program Signals while pioneering a series of talent management and recruitment programs
  
  
• Deloitte’s leadership role in talent management has received significant public recognition. CEO Giam Swiegers was judged by the Government agency EOWA as the Leading CEO for the advancement of Women in late 2005. In early 2006, the Australian firm was further recognised with a Federal Government’s national award as an Employer of Choice for Women for 2005
  
  
• one of only 114 companies to receive this rating. People and Performance partner Alec Bashinsky was judged the 2006 Australian Human Resources Leader of the Year in April 2006
  
  
• the success of the Australian firm’s strategy of becoming the professional services choice for talented women has played an important role in the firm developing a successful talent management and performance culture
  
  
• the success of the strategy can be measured by the firm, the smallest of the Big Four in Australia, receiving the greatest number of graduate applications of the Big Four in 2006
  
  
• Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, a Swiss Verein, its member firms, and their respective subsidiaries and affiliates. Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu is an organization of member firms around the world devoted to excellence in providing professional services and advice, focused on client service through a global strategy executed locally in nearly 150 countries
  
  
• with access to the deep intellectual capital of approximately 135,000 people worldwide, Deloitte delivers services in four professional areas — audit, tax, consulting and financial advisory services — and serves more than one-half of the world’s largest companies, as well as large national enterprises, public institutions, locally important clients, and successful, fast-growing global growth companies
  
  
• as a Swiss Verein (association), neither Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu nor any of its member firms has any liability for each other’s acts or omissions. Each of the member firms is a separate and independent legal entity operating under the names "Deloitte", "Deloitte & Touche", "Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu", or other related names.