PKF International

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
PKF
Company typeAccounting Network
IndustryAccounting
Founded1969
ProductsProfessional Services
Websitepkf.com

PKF International (previously known as Pannell Kerr Forster) is a global network of firms. The network's 224 independent member firms operate under the PKF brand in 150 countries across 5 regions. PKF International has 20,000 professionals and is currently ranked 14th international accountancy network by International Accounting Bulletin.[1]

In 2018 PKF was ranked as 11th largest global accounting firm in the United Kingdom.[2]

The International Accounting Bulletin placed PKF at 15th globally based on their world survey, conducted in February 2019.[3]

History[edit]

Pannell Kerr Forster[4][5] was founded in 1969 when four accountancy firms from Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States joined to create an international association. The four firms were:

  • Pannell Fitzpatrick & Co, founded in 1869 by William Henry Pannell (UK);
  • Harris, Kerr, Forster & Co, founded in 1911 as Harris, Kerr & Co by William Harris & Errol Kerr, and in 1923 as WJ Forster & Co by William Forster (USA);
  • Campbell, Sharp, Nash & Field (Canada); and
  • Wilson, Bishop, Bowes & Craig (Australia).

In 1980, member firms decided to use Pannell Kerr Forster as their common brand name to create an international accountancy brand. In 2000, member firms decided to shorten their name to PKF. Member firms are now adopting this name in their home markets, or adding PKF as a prefix to the existing firm name.

As of January 2011, over 21,000 staff were employed by PKF International member firms.[6]

In 2013, PKF's associate firm in UK defected and joined BDO after a fall in revenue and staff reduction.[7]

In 2016, PKF's associate firm in Hong Kong was banned by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board for three years due to not co-operating with a probe.[8][9]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "World Survey". International Accounting Bulletin (570): 4. Feb 2017.
  2. ^ The top 30 accountancy firms for 2018 revealed Archived 2019-02-02 at the Wayback Machine, ICAS, 11 December 2018. Retrieved 2019-04-23.
  3. ^ World Survey 2019: Firm Movements.(subscription required) International Accounting Bulletin, 10 April 2019.
  4. ^ About us: History. Retrieved 2010-12-15. Archived July 15, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  5. ^ Pannell Kerr Forster, simplified family tree of the firm, ICAEW, 2005
  6. ^ PKF International network now ranked 10th in the World, PKF. Citing International Accounting Bulletin, January 2011.
  7. ^ Doherty, Raymond. "BDO and PKF complete merger (2 Apr 2013)". ICAEW. Retrieved 24 September 2017.
  8. ^ Hughes, Jennifer; Woodhouse, Alice (26 Jul 2017). "Hong Kong auditors trapped by US-China dispute". The Financial Times. Retrieved 24 September 2017.
  9. ^ Fino, Jessica. "PCAOB bans PKF for three years". ICAEW. Retrieved 24 September 2017.

External links[edit]