your business, our network. the sky’s the limit. › ... › your-business-our-network.pdf ·...

Your business, our network. The sky’s the limit.Join our global family of independent firms and unlock a world of opportunities for you, your clients and most importantly your people.

By being part of the PKF family, you’re closer to our wide network of international support.

Our network stretches over 360 locations, operating in more than 150 countries across our five regions. But those are just the facts. Not who we are.

We’re a global family of entrepreneurial minds working closely together, pooling our collective resources, skills and experience to add significant value to our independent members and their clients.

What truly sets us apart is the emphasis we place on listening to our members, understanding their unique circumstances so we can provide our members and their markets with exactly the expertise and support they need.

Becoming part of our network, our family could unlock the opportunities that take your business to the next level.

01PKF Your business, our network

Changing timesThe only constant is change. It’s a cliché, but it has only become a cliché because it’s true. And today, more than ever, changes are happening faster and more frequently, and bringing with them increasingly difficult challenges.

In business, as in life, having a capable, knowledgeable and adaptable network you can rely on to help you tune into change and keep pace is vitally important.

We live in a world driven by data. PKF has an appetite for progress and is committed to being responsive and riding the digital wave. We continually observe the market and refine our audit approach accordingly. And we work hard to ensure our service is leading edge and our people can grow personally and professionally through knowledge sharing opportunities and training.

Attracting the best people, and keeping them has never been more crucial to the success of an organisation nor the competition to hire them as fierce. We are proud to offer attractive opportunities to connect and work together across our network, helping to enhance the professional opportunities within your firm. And we do so with a collective and passionate commitment to our network values that help make the experience of collaborating and sharing so enjoyable.

We are aware of the pressure facing firms now with the Big 4 entering new markets, the number of firms requiring audit services and the demand for transparency of audit fees. We want to be our clients’ long term trusted advisors, ones who understand their business and pressures and treat them as part of the PKF family.

Our uniquely connected familyIn our experience, there’s often a disconnect within large international organisations between what they say they are and how they deliver. Decision-making is bound by hierarchy and chains of command that can be sluggish and cumbersome. This is not PKF.

PKF feels more like a business family than a business network thanks to the encouragement our members are given to connect with the people they need when they need it. After all, it’s our members who bring their unique local, national and international expertise and experience to share with other member colleagues and benefit together.

Our members are proudly independent, but being a part of our family means they gain a whole host of benefits, from global business growth advice, new business opportunities, referrals and partnerships to ready access to resources and expertise and training. Plus they have greater visibility on the world stage and carry the strength of the PKF brand reputation. So while we can’t promise the world won’t change, we can promise that our network is ready to respond, whatever the challenge.

Sebastian Wohldorf PKF International, Chairman

02 PKF Your Business, Our Network

The first thing we can offer is our PKF brand. More than a name, it’s a mark that stands for our commitment to quality, passion, teamwork, clarity and integrity, and it’s recognised across the world – particularly important when you are pursuing new opportunities out with your own geographical region or entering new markets for the first time.

As a PKF member, you’ll experience global visibility that enables member firms from around the world to connect with you, bringing new business opportunities, through your own particular area of expertise, sectorial experience or local knowledge.

You’ll also have direct access to our best practice knowledge network. This helps you get closer to people with on-the-ground resources all across the world, and access to the finest minds in any area of expertise.

Helping you to grow: Support to build an international practice

Regional Directors as facilitators of new business Full-time, free of charge and supporting you and your clients to pursue cross-border opportunities.

Global client database Primarily established as an independence tracking tool, TREND (TRansnational ENtity Database) provides detailed information on PKF’s global expertise by partner, by industry, and by country. It is a great resource for identifying potential additional business and adding credibility to any proposal process.

PKF management tool – ‘Get a Grip’ deploymentBased on EOS, the Entrepreneurial Operating System, PKF have implemented a complete set of simple concepts and practical tools to bring discipline and accountability into the business, set a sense of direction and vision, and ultimately increase profitability.

Sectors, industries and niches PKF segments the market by sector, by industry and by niche. Each has its own section on PKF 365 and on our external websites. Partners and staff connect with other PKF People serving the same type of clients through regular conference calls, exchange of newsletters and the sharing of proposal formats and report templates. This provides a platform for the communication of new initiatives and for sharing success stories. We understand the value of our advisers having deep embedded sector knowledge, and all PKF member firms work together to share this capability for the benefit of all clients at both a local and global level.

We pride ourselves on our in-depth approach, which brings together multidisciplinary teams of specialists with many years’ experience in their field; for example in: bakeries, pharmacies, foundations, biotechnology.

PKF directory The PKF directory is updated in real time and printed annually to help member firms identify and make contact with those in the network best placed to assist their clients and help them develop additional business opportunities. This is supplemented by an extensive CV database of partners and directors.

A greater mark in the worldOur success is measured by the success of our members. Which is why we do all we can to help you grow and develop in the way that’s right for you.


Paul GoldwinPartner, PKF London

Making connections

PKF branding and global recognition

PKF is committed to being a globally recognised brand, with all firms throughout the network fully branded, and have implemented a number of initiatives to help achieve this. Underway, is a brand refresh programme looking at brand style, identity and messaging, and the introduction of a system to assist firms in the transition process to a fully branded position. PKF will assist with developing global marketing and business development strategies to identify industry mega trends and optimise commerce and at a practical level support the production of marketing brochures and materials.

Knowledge sharing networks

Global and regional support centres PKF International’s head office is located at 12 Groveland Court in the heart of London’s financial district. The central team is supported by regional support centres in Frankfurt (EMEI), Durban (Africa), Bangkok (AsPac), Buenos Aires (LatAm) and Atlanta (NA). The teams travel extensively and are on hand to personally deal with any challenges or opportunities that may arise.

Regional and international events We meet regularly to discuss developments at PKFI and to pursue service opportunities. Annually, the PKF family comes together for a Global Gathering of member firms. This is a ten day period of workshops and training courses organised around a three day Global Symposium.

Each region also hosts its own annual regional conference. Assurance and Accounting (A&A) and Tax have their own annual technical meetings; while the EMEI Tax Pillars have six monthly fly-ins. These are all in addition to the annual technical update courses which are also held regionally.

Support groups PKF has many support and user group networks through which member firms share knowledge and solve common problems. These include: markets and communication; business development; internal information technology; human resources (PKF People); Caseware; CCH; Idea. In many cases there are monthly calls and as required periodic face-to-face meetings.

PKF People We have a PKF Facebook page for PKF People to share their local activities at www.facebook.com/PKFPeople

Since starting at PKF I have been in constant communication with the Spanish offices. Being a Spanish speaker means I have a lot of clients in Madrid and Barcelona. My relationship with the Spanish offices works very well and is based on a genuine mutual respect which plays a part in our sending clients to each other.

This year, I was invited to attend their partners meeting in Bilbao where I prepared a presentation on how we can continue our positive working relationship. I was asked to share my thoughts on how I saw their firm, which I was more than happy to do.

In September 2015, we hosted an event here in the UK about doing business in Spain. We invited a variety of UK-based clients who wanted to get into the Spanish market as well as my own UK-based Spanish clients. PKF partners came over from Spain to host a seminar and I also managed to get the economic advisor to the Spanish Embassy to do a keynote presentation on the Spanish economy. It was very well received and we managed to forge connections and win some business from the event. It went so well in fact, that we are now hosting the converse of that event ‘Doing business in the UK’ a seminar in conjunction with PKF Spain and the UK department of Trade & Industry, at the British Embassy in Madrid.

We are also working with one of our partner firms in the US to host a ‘Doing Business in the USA’ seminar, as a few partners here in London actually specialise in the West Coast tech sector, which is a follow up to a similar seminar that we hosted in 2015.

I am also, along with a partner from the Spanish office and five partners from key centres in South America, forming a working group to try and build up connections and business between Europe and Latin America.

Within the network, there is a real mutual desire to help other firms, as we know we can provide each other with good opportunities and strive to present PKF as a credible but more cost effective yet equally able alternative to the Big 4.


You’ll have the following tools and resources at your disposal: Global resources and tools

As part of the PKF network, firms can take advantage of industry-focused learning and professional development opportunities. By taking part in these programmes, partners and staff stay up-to-date with the latest compliance standards, tax laws, accounting and auditing regulations and business and industry trends.

Your firm can benefit from PKF’s years of experience in delivering tax, accounting, auditing and consulting service, in-depth knowledge built on a foundation of continuing professional education and industry-specific learning and development programmes and country wide reach that will take you across town, throughout the country or around the world.

PKF offers training and tools in:

• Data Analytics (Idea) • Audit Platforms (Caseware and CCH) • PKF Audit Methodology • IFRS (Wiley) • PKF Tax Platforms (IBFD) • Compliance and Risk Management • Business Solution Software (QuickBooks, Xero, Sage)• Project Management (Traction) • Business Development (Bodytalk) • General Management and Soft Skills (PKF Mindtools)

IT and office solutions

PKF 365The PKF-365 platform provides communication and collaboration services that enables the sharing of knowledge and compliance information, and connects PKF people across the globe.

Through your own unique log in, member firms can access documents from around the network on the following subjects:

• Procedure Manuals • Firm Directory • Contacts List • Transnational Entities • Referrals • Case Studies • Fact Sheets • Training Courses • Community Sites The Lync system allows for increased communication capabilities including Skype for Business, SharePoint file access, meeting hosting, email service, intranet and document management.

PKF publications and subscriptionsPKF International organises face-to-face and online seminars which provide technical advice, and access to a wide range of online and offline resources, sharing international business knowledge across the network.

PKF member firms will receive regular updates on international regulations that affect and influence your business and are supported by cross-border committees, groups and experts drawn from the member firms and covering a wide range of service areas including audit, tax, corporate finance, corporate recovery and hotel consulting.

Local firms, global capabilitiesThe value of our network can’t be underestimated. It transforms small and medium sized businesses by providing them with all the expertise, technologies and on-the-ground global knowledge of world-leading international firms.

It’s also empowering, helping outstanding national and regional firms have an impact on the provision of services and level of standards around the world.


Andrew Beattie is a Business Advisory Partner at PKF Sydney and Newcastle. With the ongoing change and challenges within the industry, Andrew was an integral part of and one of the founders of the Future of Choice.

Andrew explains, For too long firms in our industry have had tools and products but not a consistent approach or the know how to identify and convert the opportunities for these tools and products. The Future of Choice allows a firm to achieve scale and provides teams with the skills to move from the traditional accountant to the trusted business adviser.

This starts with understanding what the client wants to achieve; we do this with a structured discovery meeting designed to uncover and clarify their family goals, explore current position from a financial and non-financial perspective and develop an action plan for the client to achieve their future of choice.

As advisers for many years we have, and in some cases continue, to operate in silos – the Future of Choice helps change this and ensures a team approach; no duplication, one message, one direction. We believe our approach is changing the way advice is delivered and produces the Future of Choice our clients’ desire. Coupled with the local, national and international reach and expertise at PKF we have truly created a point of difference for our clients.

In a recent example our targeted goal setting framework highlighted a local clients personal ambitions for investments and specifically business and property in South America. Through the PKF family we were able to provide a seamless introduction to PKF Mexico, the outcome of this client experience now also sees us connecting the client with PKF O’Connor Davies regarding his North America business interests.

Andrew Beattie Partner, PKF Sydney

Innovation of service and global connectivity

PKF East Midlands


Every year we provide a number of opportunities for your people to share, learn and develop as part of our network. Our Global Gathering is open to everyone and an important part of how our network keeps close. And our members also benefit from our Regional Meetings, International Assurance and Accounting Meetings, International Tax Meetings and Regional Training and Sector Meetings. It all adds up to a wealth of great experiences for your people, to spark the relationships that are the lifeblood of our business.

Helping your team grow and develop:Secondment opportunitiesWe encourage all our member firms to take part in our Global Secondment Programme, PKF GO. Programmes can last for 3 or 18 months and deliver enormous value in the retaining and development of staff. These experiences allow for the transfer of skills and knowledge, and help foster personal relationships throughout the network.

Networking at global and regional meetingsEach year, PKF member firms have plenty of opportunity to attend a wide range of networking and industry sector-related events across the world to increase international contacts while keeping up to date on the global issues affecting the accounting profession and your clients.

If your clients’ needs are outside your local expertise or geographical area, you can refer them to another PKF member firm with the confidence that they will receive the same high standard of service that you provide. Once you have joined PKF International, other PKF member firms can also refer new business and opportunities to your firm.

Training and developmentA professional services firm is only as good as the quality of its people. We choose our people for their experience and ability to identify issues and develop creative solutions. Above all, we encourage our people work as a cohesive team – with our clients and with each other – because they share our commitment to providing first class business solutions and advice for every one of our clients.

Going further, togetherCreating and developing special working relationships is vital to the success of our business. We don’t merely have contact in different regions, we have true cultural alignment across the globe.

And that cultural alignment results in better service to your clients and genuinely enjoyable working relationships for our people. Unsurprisingly then, we place a great degree of emphasis on helping forge these relationships.


In 2014, Amanda Ryan responded to an invitation from one of the Partners at her firm in Newcastle, Australia to take up a secondment opportunity at a PKF International firm in New York City.

Amanda become one of 20 secondees working for EisnerAmper LLP for four months during the firm’s busy season. She enjoyed exposure to an incredible breadth of work and learning opportunities, but also managed to squeeze in some downtime too.

It was a lot of fun said Amanda. It was their busy season while I was there so I was able to quickly learn a great deal about working in an industry I wasn’t familiar with. I worked in financial services hedge fund audits, which was really interesting and something I wouldn’t otherwise have had exposure to in my home office.

There were 20 secondees from all over the world – South Africa, India, Ireland and the UK – so I was able to measure my experience, not just against the US where I was based, but against the rest of the world. And the cultural side to the trip was also really important. Every weekend the secondees would meet up and visit the traditional tourist sides and get to know each other. Because of this I have made real friendships that will last, and that go beyond a purely business connection.

Amanda found that despite being on different sides of the world, the two PKF firms were closer than one might think.

In terms of culture both firms were very similar. Everyone there is very open and approachable, very similar to PKF Newcastle. And they place a huge importance on training, as we do.

I’d definitely do it again. In fact I’d jump at the offer. And I’d really push other staff members to go on secondment and experience it for themselves too. It’s amazing to see how your skills compare in another country and to experience living in a different environment. Those are things you can’t experience if you work at a home firm throughout your whole career and the PKF network allows you the opportunity to gain experience throughout the world.

Amanda Ryan Manager, PKF Newcastle

Making global connections

PKF Singapore


Every one of our members has access to the best of breed quality resources that means they can maintain excellence in service and technical quality equal to or beyond that of their competitors.

We encourage continuous professional development, provide training webinars, help develop better websites and hosting, and assist with language skills training. We also have an International Leadership Programme.

We recruit new members based on their quality, not their size. And we constantly review our practice manuals and client satisfaction levels to ensure we are consistently providing the best possible service.

Giving your clients confidence:Being Forum of Firms compliant PKF member firms can capitalize on the benefits associated with the strong reputation and internationally recognised brand of the PKF International network. PKF International is a member of the Forum of Firms – an organisation dedicated to consistent and high quality standards of financial reporting and auditing practices worldwide. PKF International can also help you to raise your professional and technical standards and improve the quality of the service you offer. PKF International will also provide you with international marketing support so you can maximise your business opportunities and exposure.

PKF Commitment PKF’s goal is to have all member firms be recognised as members in good standing through their adherence to the PKF Commitment, standards and services. And to provide clients with proactive, consistent, solutions-oriented, quality driven professional services conforming to the highest international standards.

An international leadership programme Our Upcoming Leaders Programme is held annually and is geared to connect PKF’s best talents with each other so that they can input into the network’s future direction while exchanging experiences that can assist them in their professional roles. The sessions are led by experienced external facilitators and provide a platform for direct interaction with the PKF Strategy Committee and the PKF International Board. Places are limited and demand is high.

Big 4 experience We are increasingly joined by people with significant Big 4 experience. We attract young entrepreneurs who are restrained from fulfilling their potential in a Big 4 environment. At PKFI we provide a platform that enables them to serve their clients as a long term trusted advisor. This enables us to compete directly with the Big 4 with equally experienced teams who have a completely different approach to client service.

Key Economic Centre strategy A key element of PKF International’s development and support strategy, and an important differentiator, is our geographic coverage. We have the right firms, providing the right services, in the right locations and this allows us to say that ‘PKF is around the corner, and around the world’.

Within this framework of geographic coverage, we recognise that global service capability needs are greater in Key Economic Centres (KECs). The KEC project has been established as an important element of PKF’s strategy in its effort to establish full service capability around the world, and to drive growth of core services in each of the KECs.

Quality through collaborationOur unique form of connectivity is as much a benefit to our members’ clients as it is to our members themselves and their teams.

Our local clients benefit from best-in-class products, services and learnings from across the world, while our international clients benefit from our assured consistent global level of quality.


In 2013 the Chinese multinational ZTE acquired the German Subsidiary of Alcatel-Lucent Network Services (ALNS). With it came 800 German employees who needed to be integrated into ZTE Service GmbH (ZTE) by 2014 when the network operations of the E-Plus mobile network in Germany was to be officially transferred to ZTE.

The Alcatel-Lucent HR Department was, however, not part of the acquisition so the challenge was to ensure a smooth and quick transition of the employees to ZTE. This required the build of a fully functional stand-alone HR department with the requisite IT systems in place as quickly as possible.

With this in mind and under such time pressure ZTE approached PKF Duisburg for a turnkey solution.

We trust PKF to provide us with the right expertise, tools and resources. They have highly capable professionals who can help us deliver the solution on time. This will enable our management to focus on the E-Plus business said Hartmuch Labuch, HR Director of ZTE Service GmbH.

In September 2013 ZTE appointed PKF to take over the complete HR management process. This involved a team of seven PKF HR and IT specialists basing themselves at ZTE to manage the process of migrating data and operations from the ALNS SAP HCM system into the DATEV Payroll and Personal Information System. Deadlines were successfully met and the network operations successfully transferred.

The direct access to the PKF team through the PKF HR Onsite Office enabled a highly efficient communication process among the ZTE management and new employees which was crucial for the smooth post-merger integration, said Markus Schmiess, the PKF HR On-Site Office leader.

Christian Mueller-Kemler Managing Partner, PKF Duisburg

A genuine post merger success

PKF Frankfurt


Your global team

ChairmanSebastian [email protected]

John [email protected]

CEO

PKFI BoardSebastian Wohldorf sebastian.wohldorf @pkf.com

Sajjad Akhtar [email protected]

Christos Antoniou [email protected]

Norm Draper [email protected]

Francois Duhau [email protected]

Henry Freire [email protected]

Kevin Gertenbach [email protected]

Hector Guzman [email protected]

Regional DirectorsTheo Vermaak – Durban [email protected]

Amy Hui – Hong Kong [email protected]

Oliver Grosse-Brauckmann – [email protected]

Sergio Villagarcia – Buenos Aires [email protected]

Carolyn Morgan – Atlanta [email protected]


Professional Standards Theo Vermaak [email protected]

Nongluck Lohasiri [email protected]

Candice Unsworth [email protected]

Debbie Dell [email protected]

ConnectivityPhil Broadbery [email protected]

Sarah Allman [email protected]

Krittima Ua-amanta [email protected]

Visaicharn Suwankanit [email protected]

Chantal Moody [email protected]

AdministrationGimla Dissanayake [email protected]

Charlie Bennett [email protected]

TaxPhilip Bond [email protected]

EventsPattra Sutti [email protected]

Digital MarketingDavid Norcross [email protected]

30 offices

24 offices

46 offices

45 offices

221 offices


Our network

We are in over 360 locations, operating in more than 150 countries across our five regions.

Key support centres located in: Atlanta Bangkok Buenos Aires Durban Frankfurt London

30 offices

24 offices

46 offices

45 offices

221 offices

pkf.comFront cover image: PKF London

PKF International Limited administers a family of legally independent member firms and does not accept any responsibility or liability for the actions or inaction on the part of any individual member firm or firms.

PKF International Limited 12 Groveland Court London EC4M 9EH United Kingdom

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your business, our network. the sky’s the limit. › ... › your-business-our-network.pdf ·...

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