Nexia Friedman to join EY, creating powerhouse service provider for Québec's private companies

MONTREAL, Sept. 14, 2018 /CNW/ - As Québec's private companies face a market that's changing at light speed, Nexia Friedman LLP and EY are on a path to join forces to provide businesses here a game-changing breadth and depth of service built for today and tomorrow.

The two firms have signed a letter of intent to combine EY's powerfully comprehensive private client services and platforms with Nexia Friedman's leading private company boutique capabilities. The transaction is expected to close at the end of the month, subject to the satisfaction of certain closing conditions.

"To say the market here is transforming quickly would be an understatement. Every day, new ideas, fresh thinking and leading edge technology are creating new opportunities across the board," says Anne-Marie Hubert, EY Montréal's Managing Partner. "To thrive in today's reality and tomorrow's market, businesses are evolving and ours is no exception. Combining EY and Nexia Friedman's talent, approach and experience empowers us to change the way we serve existing and future private company clients right here in Québec. That's something I'm really thrilled about."

At the core of this transaction is both firms' common goal to help their clients face fast-paced changes ? from technology, macroeconomic and geopolitical shifts to changing perceptions around the future of work. Hubert adds: "The challenges facing private companies and entrepreneurs are more complex than ever, and they need more from their business advisors. We're ready to answer that call."

Nexia Friedman is thrilled to build on their top quality solutions by aligning with EY, and harnessing the combined power of their capabilities and network.

"We're so proud to be joining forces with a firm that embraces innovation and digital to better serve evolving client needs. Like us, EY brings the best talent to the table for a consistent client experience, and truly believes in the important role private companies play in our economy," explains Nexia Friedman's Managing Partner Jonathan Bicher. "This move is transformational. Together, we'll offer clients our signature approach to personalized service, bolstered by access to a bigger, bolder service platform than ever before. This is going to shake up what gold standard service means for Québec's private businesses."

Beyond their commitment to unwavering quality and innovative client service, Nexia Friedman and EY are also united in their firm commitment to the broader community. Bicher adds: "By coming together, we'll be able to do even more for not just our clients, but the communities where we work and live, and the amazingly talented people who make our firm what it is today."

As part of the transaction, all Nexia Friedman staff and partners are expected to join EY's Private Client Services practice in Montréal, making it one of the largest dedicated private company practices in Québec.

About EY
EY is a global leader in assurance, tax, transaction and advisory services. The insights and quality services we deliver help build trust and confidence in the capital markets and in economies the world over. We develop outstanding leaders who team to deliver on our promises to all of our stakeholders. In so doing, we play a critical role in building a better working world for our people, for our clients and for our communities.

About EY's Private Client Services practice
In order to achieve growth, privately owned organizations require a unique approach and set of services. EY's Private Client Services practice is focused on working exclusively with privately-owned businesses. We offer the best of both worlds ? hands-on personalized service, with the added reach and bench strength of a global firm, helping private companies address the challenges and opportunities they face in each stage of their business cycle.  

For more information, please visit ey.com/ca/private. Follow us on Twitter @EYCanada and @EY_CAPrivateCo.

EY refers to the global organization and may refer to one or more of the member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young Global Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, does not provide services to clients. For more information about our organization, please visit ey.com.

About Nexia Friedman LLP
Since the very beginning in 1960, Nexia Friedman LLP has provided the highest level of customer experience while offering strategic expertise and creative business solutions to individuals, families and businesses. With over 80 dedicated professionals in our Montreal office, our team of motivated, experienced and qualified financial professionals are here to assist you with a broad range of assurance and accounting, taxation, financial advisory and management consulting services.

SOURCE EY (Ernst & Young)