News Archive

JHI European Region Member Awarded the Golden Pyramid by Welt am Sonntag

RP RICHTER & PARTNER has been named one out of seven firms distinguished with a Golden Pyramid by the newspaper Welt am Sonntag in a special report published in the Fall of 2006.

Additionally, RP RICHTER & PARTNER is listed by the German JUVE-Handbook 2006/2007 as a leading tax and law firm in Germany and is rated 11th in tax law in Germany, 8th in consulting private clients in Germany and No. 37 in corporate law in Germany.

RP RICHTER & PARTNER is also rated 19th of all German tax firms, including the Big Four, by World Tax 2007 of International Tax Review, the comprehensive guide to the world's leading tax firms, and 17th among German tax firms by Legal 500 German Edition, which noted in its 2006/2007 Tax Directors’ Handbook that “Munich-based RP Richter & Partners spun off from Ernst & Young's tax department in 2001 and since then has built an impressive business based around private clients, mid-sized companies and now several DAX companies. High-profile clients in the car rental, utilities and manufacturing sectors suggest the firm has come some way since its launch. Of the 55 professionals at the firm, 19 are lawyers with six of these also being tax advisers.”

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JHI Region of the Americas Member Appointed to Massachusetts State Board of Public Accountancy

BRAINTREE, MA – JHI Region of the Americas is pleased to announce that Mark S. Robinson of Kirkland, Albrecht & Fredrickson, P.C. (KAF) was appointed in December 2006 to the Massachusetts State Board of Public Accountancy by then Governor Romney. Mark Robinson is a founding shareholder of Kirkland Albrecht & Fredrickson, and has over 24 years of experience in public accounting. In addition, Mark is the Director of Business Valuation Services.

Mark holds a BSBA Magna Cum Laude with a major in accounting from Suffolk University. He currently holds securities Series 6 and 66 licenses from the Securities and Exchange Commission. Mark has a CPA/ABV designation as accredited in Business Valuation by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

Mark is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Massachusetts Society of Certified Public Accountants, the American Society of Appraisers, and the Institute of Business Appraisers.

The Board of Public Accountancy grants certificates and licenses to practice public accountancy to qualified individuals who comply with the requirements of the statute. The Board monitors licensees' practice of public accountancy to insure that the services provided to the public are in accordance with the ethical standards of Massachusetts General Laws and Board regulations. The Board also insures that licensees have complied with all continuing education requirements necessary to renew their licenses.

Kirkland, Albrecht & Fredrickson, P.C. headquartered in Braintree MA is one of the leading CPA firms in the Boston area and a valued member of JHI Region of the Americas.

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JHI Managing Partners Meet in Denver

October 11, 2006 (TORONTO) – JHI Managing Partners from member firms around the world came together in Denver, Colorado, recently to brainstorm on ideas for strategic directions in leading and growing their practices in the global workplace.

In sessions led by Art Bowman, of Bowman Communications, and outside experts, a wide range of topics was considered. Cultural and regional differences added to the mix of ideas as members contemplated the impact of management techniques and styles on productivity and the direct effect on business development; the facts and realities of mergers and acquisitions in the accounting world as well as among clients in the greater business environment; and ways to expand, network and seek out new business.

“Our aim in bringing all of our collective Managing Partner talent together in one room was to generate ideas as well as comparison of commonalities in running a practice,” stated longstanding JHI member Mike McDowell, Managing Partner of McCrory & McDowell in Pittsburgh, PA, and Chair of the Managing Partner Summit.

Mark Tenzer, Managing Partner of Jeffreys Henry in London, England, and Chair of the JHI European Region, noted that while direct business interactions with colleagues offer the chance to exchange one set of ideas, it was the unique opportunity to see how practice leaders from around the world build on an idea that makes JHI such an important part of his company’s management repertoire. Member Manfred Schekulin from Prodinger & Partner in Zell am See, Austria, noted that his widespread, multi-location practice would benefit from the variety of ideas exchanged with peers in diverse situations, but all with the same goal of improving their business.

With offices in the Americas, Europe and Asia-Pacific, JHI is a leading international association for independent business advisors, financial consulting and accounting firms. Its members benefit from global networking while maintaining total practice independence. Admissions are subject to a rigorous selection process based on criteria including the quality of practice, reputation and geographical location.

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JHI Welcomes New Member in Vietnam

July 17, 2006 (TORONTO) — JHI is pleased to welcome a new member to its Asia-Pacific Region — M & H Auditing Company Limited in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. This member firm specializes in services in taxation, law, assurance (auditing) and business advisory, accounting, SA 8000 auditing and social compliance monitoring, management consulting and training.

Mr. Mai Tran, President & CEO, Attorney-at-Law
M & H Auditing Company Limited
Cityview Apartment and Commercial Centre
12 Mac Dinh Chi Street, Dist 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Tel: 84-8-8274484; 84-8-8272873
E-mail: mhauditing@hcm.vnn.vn 

M & H Auditing Company Limited sees its relationship with clients as active, long-term and based upon a fundamental understanding of each client’s business activities and objectives. Realizing that personal experience is a vital factor in delivering the best possible service to its clients, the firm has CPAs, professional staff members and attorneys with personal experience in the Vietnamese business environment. They have also acquired extensive experience in dealing with government and quasi-governmental agencies and private businesses in Vietnam.

The firm is committed to providing clients with high quality consultancy and auditing services which match their needs. Consistent with this goal, the firm’s experienced attorneys, counselors, auditors and legal assistants continuously work to understand the needs and expectations of its client in order to meet these needs and provide solutions in a timely, competent and cost-effective manner.

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JHI U.K. Member Critchleys Celebrates in Centenary Party

July 13, 2006 (TORONTO) — Over 400 clients, dignitaries, professional contacts and staff celebrated Critchleys’ centenary year at a special party in the beautiful grounds of Magdalen College on July 7, 2006. The party was part of Critchleys’ extensive programme planned to celebrate its centenary and attracted guests from all over Oxfordshire and the Thames Valley region. JHI shared the joy of this successful and longstanding partner in the United Kingdom.

Dai David, Critchleys’ senior partner said, “The evening was a tremendous success in a fantastic setting. I would like to thank all of our guests who attended and the staff who were involved in putting together such an excellent event.”

Other initiatives to celebrate Critchleys’ centenary year include buying and training a racehorse; dressing up in period costumes from the last century; a bus in Critchleys livery for the whole year; a book paralleling the history of the firm with corresponding local history; a special centenary logo; and a big staff party.

Henry Critchley, a chartered accountant, founded the firm in Magdalen Street, Oxford, in March of 1906. From these Edwardian beginnings, Critchleys has grown to embrace the whole of the Thames Valley with a client base of some 6,000 businesses and individuals. Despite the timeframe, many items of early Critchleys memorabilia have survived, including the firm’s first general ledger. Various photos and paperwork, which will be featured in the book, paint a fascinating picture of a bygone era, and also take a look at Critchleys’ less distant past.

JHI Canadian Member Morgan & Company Celebrates 40th Anniversary

July 6, 2006 (TORONTO) – JHI congratulates its Vancouver-based member firm, Morgan & Company on its 40th anniversary in April. The firms’ partners Andrew Lee, Jack Christiansen, Harvey Loen and Ross DeMello celebrated the firm’s landmark anniversary with Cadillac Fairview’s client recognition efforts.

With offices in suite 1488, 700 Georgia Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V7Y 1A1, a Cadillac Fairview property, Morgan & Company (e-mail: accountants@morgan-cas.com; web: www.morgan-cas.com) appreciates the congratulatory signs Cadillac Fairview puts up within the building and the article it placed into the Winter 2005 issue of the Quarterly Tenant magazine.

Morgan & Company is a Vancouver-based firm of Chartered Accountants established in 1966 and currently has a staff complement of approximately 35 people. Morgan & Company is registered under both the Canadian Public Accountability Board (CPAB) and the United States Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB). Its clients vary from individuals to small- and medium-sized privately held and public companies, on up to larger corporate clients with annual sales exceeding $30 million. Its tax services include tax planning, preparation of required returns and assistance in resolving disputes with tax authorities for both Canada and the U.S.A. The firm’s philosophy emphasizes personal involvement with clients; prompt and dedicated attention to their requirements, large or small; and timely, well-researched assistance with personal and corporate tax planning. The team members pride themselves on the quality of the staff, the services provided and the clients they have the privilege to serve.

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JHI Member Razzetto, López, Rodríguez Córdoba & Asociados Key in Argentine Auditing

July 4, 2006 (TORONTO) – JHI congratulates its Argentine member, Razzetto, López, Rodríguez Córdoba & Asociados, on being ranked, by the June 2006 issue of the magazine Mercado, as the seventh according to the total number of audited clients during the 2005 fiscal year. This ranking applies to Argentine auditing firms with a sales volume of over 60 million Pesos. The firm was also ranked as the eighth on the total volume of sales with 1.401 million Pesos. The ranking was assessed based on the 1,000 auditing firms with the highest sales. After 37 years of publication, Mercado has become a leading reference in Argentine auditing services.

The firm has a mission to help clients evaluate their situation and find the required solutions. It helps staff members grow both personally and professionally. With a team of over a hundred professionals trained in all the business disciplines, the firm’s staff body consists of professionals with degrees in Public Accounting, Business Administration, Economics, Law and Psychology.

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Munich JHI Member Recognized by LEGAL 500 and JUVE

June 21, 2006 (TORONTO) – Prestigious LEGAL 500 has recently listed JHI’s Munich member RP RICHTER & PARTNERS among the top 27 leading firms in tax law in Germany in its Edition 2006/2007. Also, the major German law firm ranking, JUVE, named RP among the top 29 leading firms in tax law and tax consultancy; among the top 23 firms in foundations and law of successions, and among the top 80 firms in corporate law in Germany. JHI congratulates RP on such industry recognition.

“We are proud being recognized by these prestigious rankings in less than five years after our inception”, said Wolfgang Richter, RP’s Founder and Managing Partner. Last fall, RP also received the “Golden Pyramid” from well-known Elite Report of a major German newspaper, WELT, for being the best firm in Germany in consulting in foundations and trusts. RP has currently 17 equity partners and 80 staff members. The firm comprises 16 Tax Advisors, 6 Tax Advisors / Attorneys-at-Law, 4 Public Accountants / Tax Advisors (one also US-CPA), 17 Attorneys-at-Law, 26 professionals and 28 administrative staff members. “In 2005, RP’s manpower increased by 30% and business growth increased also by 30% to 12.2 million Euros. We will grow more to maintain and strengthen our leading position in the market,” said Richter.

RP RICHTER & PARTNERS is a multi-disciplinary practice of Tax Advisors, Public Accountants and Attorneys-at-Law offering full services for upper mid-sized and major companies with domestic and international businesses and high-net-worth individuals and their family offices. RP combines high-end creative consulting with top implementation and day-to-day services including tax compliance, accounting and book keeping services in one firm.

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JHI Lebanese Member First for ISO Certification

June 19, 2006 (TORONTO) – Yet another model of professional excellence! JHI congratulates its Lebanese member firm, JHI Haddad, on becoming the first auditing and consulting office in Lebanon to obtain the ISO 9001/2000 certification. Based in Beirut, the firm’s early attainment of this hallmark of quality management is testament to its commitment to customer service and satisfaction, and the company’s own continual development. JHI Haddad is also sponsoring the First National Conference on Quality Management, in collaboration with The Association of Lebanese Industrialists. The event, which takes place in June, will be held at La Sagesse University, where the company also sponsors the Job Fair.

Since its establishment in 1992, JHI Haddad provides state-of-the-art professional services in auditing, accounting and administrative services, legal affairs, quality management consulting and corporate Finance. Its audits are completed according to International Auditing Standards, and its consulting services in fiscal and legal matters and in quality management (ISO 9001–2000 – and HACCP for food safety and hygiene) are meant to improve the efficiency, transparency and performance of our corporate clients. To add value to its auditing and management consultancy services, JHI Haddad has partnered in 2002 with GA Consult to provide a comprehensive range of corporate financial services including corporate valuations, tailor-made financial models and private placements.

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JHI Irish Member Firm Closes a €50 Million Chinese Property Deal

May 2, 2006 (TORONTO) – JHI congratulates its Irish member firm, Byrne Curtin Kelly, on an impressive €50m deal involving a block of 400 apartments in Shanghai, China. The handover in Century Park that took place on March 16 involved an Irish consortium of lawyers, doctors and two journalists. This success story shows the international expertise and outreach that JHI members possess and can offer to their clients and other JHI members.

Byrne Curtin Kelly’s Managing Partner, Tony Kelly, explained that the project was developed and built by the international trade group, SIIC Shanghai, and that it was financed by Byrne Curtin Kelly entirely in Ireland. “The apartments were priced from €150,000 the sales represented a 100 per cent local ownership.”

Ruth Abrahamson, JHI International Executive Director, congratulated Byrne Curtin Kelly. She indicated that “it is indeed rewarding to witness the professional success and capacity of our members, and we see this as potential and power that JHI offers to its members – the sharing of professional outreach, knowledge and expertise. Our members-only discussion databases as well as professional development forums and conferences are examples of communications platform on which our members regularly exchange business leads and professional experience.”

Byrne Curtin Kelly has a mandate to provide the most comprehensive service to support their clients’ with their business development needs, using its a broad range of skills and experience. Adhering to the concepts of efficient personal service and attention to client needs, Byrne Curtin Kelly serves many sectors of industry and commercial undertakings of varying size.

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Association Update – April 2006

INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE & AGM BUENOS AIRES

This conference attracted a record number of 120 delegates and spouses from across the JHI Regions. Thanks once again to our generous co-hosts Razzetto Lopez Rodriguez Cordoba y Asociados and Ratto-Villares y Asociados for their warm welcome and for contributing to a great success with a strong conference program.

We were honoured to welcome the Deputy President of IFAC, Fermín del Valle as our Opening Speaker, who spoke to us about recent developments with international standards in our industry, and on his general views regarding the profession on the global stage. Other keynoters included Andrés Borenstein, Economic Analyst, who gave us an in-depth overview of the leading world economies, factors driving global business, major growth sectors, and of course an insight into Latin American and Argentinian business dynamics. We also heard from Jorge Garcia Gonzalez on the “Value of the Brand” for our business.

In many ways our greatest strengths come from our own core of JHI member experts who led a variety of sessions, driving the work of the Special Interest Groups and sharing their knowledge:

Practice Management – Mike McDowell, McCrory & McDowell and Andy Silverstein, Dorfman Abrams Music LLC

Information Technology – Dan Harris, en-terpret.co ; Barry MacQuarrie, Kirkland Albrecht & Fredrickson

Forensic Accounting and Litigation Support – Dan Ray, Hemming Morse Inc. and Maxim Alekseyev, ALRUD-Audit

International Tax – Laurence Feibel, Marks Paneth & Shron LLP

SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS (SIGs)

Within the framework of the Special Interest Groups, we continue to develop the support and exchange of best practices, new initiatives and ideas among members specializing in similar areas. Some of these groups have been mentioned above.

The Tax and Audit school (SIG) based in the European Region attracted over 50 attendees from Europe and other regions in December 2005. This annual conference has proven to be an invaluable opportunity for members to update their knowledge and to seek opinions from fellow practitioners from around the world. The IT conference based in the Region of the Americas continues to attract around 40 delegates from a similar member demographic, with continued dialogue throughout the year.

This year we are adding a new opportunity to our portfolio of events – a Managing Partners Conference in September 2006, in Denver, Colorado, USA. We are most excited to announce that Mr. Art Bowman, a well known researcher, author and pundit in the accounting world has agreed to work with us to produce original research and to create a customized program for our Managing Partners. Art is the Publisher of the electronic accounting news update – Bowman FirstAlert, and possesses an extensive network and knowledge background in the industry. This initiative is being led by Mike McDowell (Co-Chair of the Practice Management SIG) and Jacob Leon (Chair of the Region of the Americas), whose vision is to ensure sharing of strategy at the senior management level. Art is asking for your input in what you want to see at the Managing Partners Conference. Watch out for a survey in your e-mail and give us your thoughts!

MARKETING AT THE LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL LEVELS

The International Office continues to secure excellent media exposure for JHI news, whether about the organization itself, or the successes of our member firms worldwide. Members are constantly updated with coverage that involves the association or its individual members. Marketing, communications and media relations efforts continue to play integral roles in promoting the association and its members and the work and services JHI and its members offer. Member firms and their marketing professionals are encouraged to stay in touch with the International Office for regular communications, contribution and feedback.

REGIONAL CONFERENCES

The annual regional conferences will take place again this Spring – with the European Conference in Prague, Czech Republic from May 25 – 27, 2005; the Region of the Americas Conference takes place in Boston, USA from June 21 – 24, 2006 and the Asia Pacific Region will be taking a cruise from Singapore from July 2 – 5, 2006. Your JHI membership commitment includes attendance at your annual regional conference as well as at the international conference. This ensures a strong network of members, and generates continued business referrals for all. We look forward to seeing you there.

INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE

This year we will be meeting in beautiful Auckland, New Zealand from November 1 – 4, 2006, at the Carlton Hotel. Information about this conference will be circulated shortly, together with registration materials and information about additional tours that you may wish to take. Our co-hosts, Don Gibson of Gibson & Associates Ltd. and Kevin Wilson of HWI Ltd. are working tirelessly to ensure a first-rate program, coupled with a fantastic social agenda, giving us a taste of New Zealand. We encourage one and all to attend, both for the value of the conference and networking among your fellow members, as well as for the experience of visiting this beautiful country.

NEW MEMBERS

Throughout the course of this year, we have continued to welcome new member, Arti Değer from Turkey. The reputation of JHI rests of the quality and expertise of the members we welcome, and the value that they can bring in terms of business services offered and potential referrals. We continue to seek new members in a variety of cities worldwide, and to add to our network of associate members wherever the synergy exists. Each and every current JHI member is an Ambassador for new member development. We depend on you to spread the word about JHI, to promote our first-rate network of professional firms, and the extraordinary range and quality of services that we provide among us. Do recommend any new members to your regional executive committee and help us to build JHI to new levels.

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JHI Welcomes New Member from Turkey

February 28, 2006 (TORONTO) – JHI is pleased to welcome a new member in its European Region. Experienced in the government, insurance, commerce and media markets, Arti Değer Group in Ankara, Turkey, is an independent firm wholly owned by existing JHI member, Global Group. Arti Değer Group also has an office in Istanbul and plans to open another one in Izmir. A full service audit, tax, accounting and business consulting firm, Arti Değer Group helps clients achieve success by providing personalized attention and service commitment that address today’s needs and tomorrow’s plans.

Arti Değer Group
Hatay Sok. No:9/9, Ankara, Turkey
Tel: 90 0312 425 17 64
Fax: 90 0312 425 36 14
Website: www.addenetim.com

Additional Office:
Bulgurlu Mah. Sarigazi Cad. No: 14/1 Üsküdar Ýstanbul
Tel: 90 0216 443 74 75
Fax: 90 0216 443 74 70
E-mail: info@addenetim.com

Contact Partners:
Vahap Balkaya, Murat Eristi, Mustafa Yegenoglu

Global Uluslarasi Group

Bulgurlu Mah. Hanimseti Sk.34696, Aktas Bloklari No: 35/37, Uskudar/Istanbul, Turkey 34696
www.globaldenetim.com.tr
Contact Partner:
Vahap Balkaya
Tel: 90-216-520-00-90
E-mail: globaldenetim@hotmail.com

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JHI Member Critchleys Celebrates Centenary in 2006

January 18, 2006 (TORONTO) – One of JHI’s major players in the United Kingdom – Critchleys – is celebrating 100 years in business with an extensive programme of festivities and initiatives. These include buying and training a racehorse; dressing up in period costumes from the last century; a bus in Critchleys livery for the whole year; a book paralleling the history of the firm with corresponding local history; a special centenary logo; and a big staff party.

Henry Critchley, a chartered accountant, founded the firm in Magdalen Street, Oxford, in March of 1906. From these Edwardian beginnings, Critchleys has grown to embrace the whole of the Thames Valley with a client base of some 6,000 businesses and individuals. Despite the timeframe, many items of early Critchleys memorabilia have survived, including the firm’s first general ledger. Various photos and paperwork, which will be featured in the book, paint a fascinating picture of a bygone era, and also take a look at Critchleys’ less distant past.

“The business has certainly seen plenty of changes since it was founded, not least the transformation brought about by new technologies which have revolutionized the way we work,” observes Dai David, Senior Partner. “At the end of it all, however, it is the staff and our clients who make this business a success and we want to make this a year to remember for us all.”

A leading firm of chartered accountants, Critchleys is committed to providing quality advice to businesses and individuals. Critchleys’ services include audit and accounting, corporate finance, corporate tax, corporate recovery, dispute resolution, financial outsourcing, financial planning, insolvency and bankruptcy, management accounting, payroll, personal tax, trusts and VAT.

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