Accountancy firm Baker Tilly Ireland has been taken over by audit and advisory business Azets, as it enters the Irish market for the first time.
Azets, which has operations in the Nordic countries and UK will take over Baker Tilly with immediate effect, it said in a statement on Wednesday. Baker Tilly Ireland has rebranded as Azets Ireland. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Azets Ireland now has a team of about 100 people including 11 partners and about 2,000 clients, it said.
“The SME sector is neglected by the big six accountancy firms yet the needs and opportunities of those businesses are as valid as the needs of the multinational enterprise community,” Azets Ireland chief executive Neil Hughes said. “With the investment from Azets and the connection to this growing international services company, Azets Ireland is well positioned to advise our clients and to take advantage of the growth opportunities that this presents for our firm,” he added.
Azets’ investment in Ireland marks the company’s tenth deal in 12 months, with more M&A activity planned across all regions as the group continues to deliver against its ambitious growth strategy, the company said.