International Association
Overview
IGAF Worldwide has merged with Polaris and Fidunion, two other global associations of independent accounting firms, which extends the worldwide accounting resources available to Spiteri Bailey & Co’s clients.
The independent member firms of the merged IGAF POLARIS will have 843 offices in 89 countries around the globe, making the combined group one of the largest associations of independent accounting firms in the world. The substantial increase in geographic coverage of the merged association will extend the reach of Spiteri Bailey & Co’s ability to provide expertise and resources to meet our client’s growing needs to seek advice right round the world.
IGAF POLARIS is one of the largest, and most well respected accounting associations in the world. It was founded for the purpose of providing member firms with the tools and resources they need to furnish a broad spectrum of efficient, cost-effective accounting, auditing, and management services to clients around the globe.
IGAF POLARIS’s members are typically regional, full-service public accounting and management consulting firms. These highly successful independent firms, with multiple offices in major metropolitan areas, provide technical assistance in traditional accounting and auditing, tax services, and specialized services such as privatization support, fiscal management support, streamlining accounting systems, litigation, strategic planning, business valuations, information technology consulting, system planning, and law firm services.
Because IGAF POLARIS is one of the largest associations of its kind in the world, it provides member firms with the strength and capabilities of a large, worldwide organization with diverse technical skills and geographic representation not possible for a local firm alone. Members exchange technical advice and assistance in every service performed by the profession. IGAF POLARIS members are selected based on exacting requirements for size, reputation, areas of practice, diverse technical capabilities, and geographic location. These requirements must be met not only to gain admission but also to retain membership. Periodic inspections ensure that member firms continue to meet these membership requirements.
Operating initially under the name “IGAF Polaris”, the merged association’s 384 member firms will have a combined annual revenue of over US$1.82 billion, with a combined total of 2,400 partners, 16,300 employees, and 843 offices in 89 countries around the globe. The merger of the three associations is expected to be complete by June 1, 2011, with integration to continue for several months thereafter.
The substantial increase in size for the merged association will enhance IGAF Polaris member firms’ ability to provide the necessary resources to meet growing international client demands, not just geographically but also offering a far greater range of skills and expertise through strong independent firms who share a similar commitment to personal service to their clients. The merger also increases member firms’ ability to benchmark and share ideas to improve operations and profitability.
IGAF Polaris will maintain a regional governance structure, with Boards of Directors providing oversight for each of four regions: Asia Pacific; Latin America & Caribbean; Europe, Middle East, & Africa; and North America. A World Board of Directors comprised of members of the Regional Boards, will provide
global guidance and governance. The leadership for the merged IGAF Polaris will be as follows:
» Chairman, World Board of Directors – Raymond W. Buehler, Jr., Schneider Downs & Co., Inc. (Pittsburgh, PA, USA)
» Vice Chairman, World Board of Directors – David R.M. Frame, Littlejohn LLP (London, UK)
» Treasurer, World Board of Directors – Jean-Marie Vandergucht, FITECO (France)
» Chairman, North America Board of Directors – Edward A. Davis, Petrinovich Pugh & Co. (San Jose, CA, USA)
» Chairman, Europe, Middle East & Africa Board of Directors – Ulrich Britting, GHP Revision GmbH (Frankfurt, Germany)
» Chairman, Asia Pacific Board of Directors – Akshay Shah, Rajendra & Co. (Mumbai, India)
» Chairman, Latin America & Caribbean Board of Directors – Andres Moreno R., ASTAF Colombia S.A. (Bogota, Colombia)
“The three associations joining in this merger have a mutual and remarkable vision for the future of the accounting industry and how independent firms can work together around the globe,” says Raymond Buehler, Jr., Chairman of the World Board of Directors for IGAF Polaris. “We agreed from the beginning that relationships between firms must be forged stronger than ever, but without the strictures imposed by operating as a network. The merger gives us this opportunity and so much more. Our member firms are excited about the tremendous breadth of experience and skills now available to them and the ability to help our clients succeed on an international scale.”
The new World headquarters office for IGAF Polaris will be in Miami, Florida, USA, with regional offices to be located in Europe, the Americas, and Asia Pacific. Kevin Mead will become Chief Executive Officer for the global association. Julio Gabay will serve as Chief Regional Officer for the North American and Latin American regions. Kevin Mead will serve as temporary Chief Regional Officer for the Asia Pacific Region, and Jens Chr. Aarup, Lydie Jubin, and Norbert Schmitz will provide services for the European Region.
“This is an exciting time for all of us because of the opportunities the merger brings,” says IGAF Polaris CEO Kevin Mead
