ACCOUNTANCY firm Mazars has merged with Chinese audit firm ZhongShen ZhongHuan in a move that increases its global workforce by more than 10%.
It adds 15 offices and 1,800 staff in China to Mazars’ 14 UK offices, including Leeds. Globally the firm will employ nearly 18,000 people in 77 countries.
Mazars said the merger “continues to strengthen its position in high-growth economies on all continents”, and follows mergers in Germany, Australia, Mozambique and Cyprus during 2015.
Ian Wrightson, Mazars’ Northern region managing partner, said: “The merger will significantly increase capacity across mainland China, enabling us to better support Chinese companies that are keen to invest or expand in the UK. Additionally, we have made a substantial investment in our China Desk, which is now supported by a team of 16 people.”
Philippe Castagnac, chief executive of Mazars, added that “after the integration of an important German structure in 2015, this operation in China is not only a significant boost to Mazars’ presence and capacities, but also an undertaking for additional development within one of the world’s leading economies.”
