Core Insights - Many organizations in the UAE are reevaluating their accounting, VAT, corporate tax, and transfer pricing processes after filing their first corporate tax returns in 2025, with a trend towards integrated compliance solutions for enhanced financial standards in 2026 [1][2][3] Group 1: Compliance Challenges and Trends - Companies that prepared in advance faced fewer difficulties, while others are addressing issues related to bookkeeping, record management, and tax documentation [2] - Regulatory oversight in the UAE has advanced, with VAT now standard practice, operational corporate tax regulations, and integrated transfer pricing compliance [3] - Many businesses initially set up compliance processes separately as regulations were introduced, leading to inconsistencies [4] Group 2: Shift Towards Integrated Solutions - There is a growing interest in single-provider solutions for compliance, as businesses recognize the importance of centralized accounting for accurate reporting [5] - BCL Globiz emphasizes that clean and timely bookkeeping is essential for accurate VAT and corporate tax reporting, forming the basis for transfer pricing documentation [5] - BCL Globiz offers a comprehensive system managing monthly bookkeeping, VAT filing, corporate tax based on actual accounts, and transfer pricing documentation [5]

KPMG has announced a partnership with UK company Aiimi to launch a workplace AI platform for data governance across its operations. The collaboration is designed to manage sensitive information and extract insights from the digital estate of KPMG, supporting the firm’s aim to govern data at scale and encourage adoption of AI. The move comes shortly after the Financial Reporting Council’s annual review was published. Aiimi’s platform leverages AI to assist organisations in locating, governing, and unlock ...

PwC Thailand has named Simon Gealy, the CEO of PwC South East Asia Consulting, as its new consulting lead partner. Gealy succeeds Vilaiporn Taweelappontong, who served as practice leader from 2013 to 2025 for the Thailand firm. Simon Gealy, whose new role became effective on 27 November 2025, brings nearly 40 years of experience in financial services consulting. Since 2021, Gealy has been based in Thailand, serving as CEO of PwC South East Asia Consulting. In this role, he has led a team of 2,000 profes ...

Core Insights - Grant Thornton International is exploring strategic options for its Indian unit, including selling a minority stake or merging with its US or European operations [1][2] - The Indian unit is valued at over $2 billion, with intentions to maintain a significant share in the event of a merger [3] - The company aims to align with the Indian government's vision of developing competitive accounting and consulting firms against the Big Four [4] Group 1 - Grant Thornton Bharat is considering aligning with a global private equity-backed platform or raising private equity capital directly [2] - Preliminary discussions are ongoing with New Mountain Capital and Cinven regarding potential partnerships [2] - The Indian branch employs over 12,000 people and operates across 28 sectors, providing audit, advisory, tax, and regulatory services [4] Group 2 - Grant Thornton Bharat LLP is registered under the Indian Limited Liability Partnership Act and is headquartered in New Delhi [5] - Each member firm of Grant Thornton International operates independently, indicating a decentralized structure [5]

Core Insights - KPMG is enhancing its operations by integrating Salesforce's Agentforce, aiming to improve efficiency and client experiences through AI technology [1][2][4] Group 1: Implementation of Agentforce - KPMG is deploying Agentforce globally to automate research, streamline meeting preparation, and summarize insights, allowing professionals to focus on client interactions [2][4] - The firm has vetted Agentforce against its Trusted AI Framework, ensuring confidence in the technology's adoption [3] Group 2: Strategic Focus and Industry Applications - KPMG is leveraging its internal deployment of Agentforce to create accelerators across various industries, including healthcare and financial services, to expedite client deployment of AI agents [4] - The AI agents are designed to maximize value by prioritizing regulations and providing scalable roadmaps tailored to specific industries [4] Group 3: Community Engagement and AI Impact - KPMG is collaborating with Braven to develop an AI agent for volunteer matching, as part of its AI Impact Initiative aimed at benefiting nonprofit organizations [5] - This initiative combines skills-based volunteering and philanthropy to enhance the impact of AI in community services [5] Group 4: Broader AI Strategy - The deployment of Agentforce follows KPMG's launch of Workbench, a global AI platform for agent communication, enhancing agent orchestration and connectivity [6] - This strategic move is expected to drive measurable business impact by allowing employees to focus on strategic tasks rather than repetitive ones [6]

Core Insights - Forvis Mazars has appointed ten new partners in its UK offices, reflecting an investment in workforce and talent development [1][6] - The new partners bring diverse expertise in audit, tax, and financial planning, enhancing the firm's service offerings [1][2] - The appointments are part of a strategy to strengthen various sectors, including Infrastructure, Energy, and Technology Assurance [1][4] Partner Appointments - Karishma Merchant will oversee the Infrastructure and Energy sector, bringing over 20 years of experience [1] - Josh Thorneycroft leads Debt Advisory, focusing on service expansion through recruitment and collaboration [2] - Paul Simmons is tasked with leading the financial planning team, specifically for the Private Client business in London [2] Sector Focus - Mark Saldua will lead regulatory liaison and internal quality monitoring, enhancing audit impairment services [2][3] - Robbie White heads the Data Analytics Hub, focusing on custom analytics and automation solutions [3] - Richard Tidball will lead corporate tax services with a national focus on restructuring and insolvency [3] Regional Developments - Tommy Cooke aims to grow the Milton Keynes audit practice, focusing on large and listed audits [4] - Simon Withington will spearhead Technology Assurance within the Consulting practice in Newcastle [4] - Sean Cockburn is set to expand the International Private Client business in Scotland, focusing on cross-border taxation [5] Leadership Statements - CEO James Gilbey emphasized the firm's commitment to talent development and delivering an unparalleled client experience [6]

Group 1 - PwC has made significant job cuts in its Middle East operations, eliminating approximately 60 partners and 1,500 staff due to a ban by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) on new advisory contracts [1][2] - The leadership of PwC is undergoing a change, with Laura Hinton from PwC UK set to co-lead the Middle East business starting October 2025, indicating a strategic reassessment in response to anticipated revenue shortfalls [2][3] - The job cuts primarily affected consulting roles, especially those linked to transformational projects, highlighting the firm's previous involvement in major PIF initiatives like the Neom development [3][4] Group 2 - Despite the job reductions, PwC's overall headcount in the Middle East has remained stable due to new hires in areas with strong client demand, suggesting a strategic pivot rather than a complete withdrawal from the region [4][5] - As of the end of the most recent financial year, PwC's Middle East operations comprised around 500 partners and 11,000 staff, with ongoing recruitment for lower-level positions, indicating continued growth ambitions in the region [5] - The firm acknowledged the job cuts in light of a general slowdown in business, reflecting broader industry challenges [5]

Core Insights - PwC UK reported a profit of £1.37 billion for the financial year ending 30 June 2025, marking a 20% increase from £1.14 billion in 2024 [1] - The group's revenue was relatively flat at £6.35 billion in 2025, a slight rise of 0.4% from £6.33 billion the previous year [1] - The growth in profits was driven by the Tax, Deals, and Audit divisions, with the Tax service line achieving a 6% revenue increase [3] Financial Performance - Profit for the financial year 2025: £1.37 billion, up 20% from £1.14 billion in 2024 [1] - Revenue for 2025: £6.35 billion, a 0.4% increase from £6.33 billion in 2024 [1] - Revenue growth rates: UK market at 0.3%, Middle East at 0.4%, and Channel Islands at 5% [1] Operational Changes - The company made the decision to reduce roles in certain areas, though specific numbers were not disclosed [2] - Average distributable profit per UK partner remained stable at £865,000, compared to £862,000 in FY24 [2] - Consulting and risk advisory services in the UK contracted by approximately 3% due to tougher market conditions [2] Strategic Initiatives - PwC launched the Tech Catalyst, an independent unit aimed at fostering technology-driven transformation [4] - The company is focused on sustainable growth and improving market sentiment to create a stronger pipeline across its multidisciplinary portfolio [4]

Core Insights - RSM has been named a supplier on three government frameworks, enhancing its position in the public sector following strategic investments in its practice [1][4] - The agreements with the Crown Commercial Service (CCS) allow RSM to provide a range of services including internal and external audit, counter fraud investigation, and management consultancy [2][4] - RSM's public sector practice has experienced a 30% growth, supported by strategic team enhancements and recruitment of experienced professionals [5] Group 1 - RSM is included in the Audit & Assurance Services Two (A&AS2) framework, allowing it to offer various audit and assurance services [1][2] - The company has also been appointed to the Management Consultancy Services Framework Four (MCF4), focusing on strategy, finance, and transformation [2][4] - RSM has been reappointed to the NHS SBS Audit Services for Health framework, providing a range of governance and audit services [4][5] Group 2 - RSM's strategic investment includes expanding its UK team and leveraging expertise from its global network, particularly from the US, Canada, and Ireland [3][5] - The company aims to address significant public sector challenges and promote sustainable change through its services [4][5] - Recent recruitment efforts include bringing in a tax partner focused on the energy sector, indicating a targeted approach to client service [6]