NEWS PHOTO Melanie Harty, a partner with Grant Thornton, formerly BVA, in Medicine Hat.
cgallant@medicinehatnews.com@CollinGallant
A global accounting firm’s move into Medicine Hat will mean expanded services and staff at the local firm it is merging with, says the local partner.
“There will be quite a bit new that we can offer and that’s really why this was attractive,” said Melanie Harty, a managing partner with Burns Valkenberg and Associates in Medicine Hat, which on Monday became the newest partnership of Grant Thornton.
That firm employs 7,000 worldwide and has operations in more than 100 countries offering a full slate of business services beyond bookkeeping.
Harty is highlighting to existing an prospective clients the benefits of Grant Thornton Business advisory, evaluators, deal brokers, insolvency, and refinancing service on a much larger scale and access to a huge pool of advisers.
As well, it gives local businesses and individuals greater access to specialized help with U.S. employment, taxation, corporate and investment issues.
“It’s huge in our region and in the past we would have to sub (contract) some of that out,” said Harty, who adds fees are comparable and existing clients can expect service to continue tailored to their needs.
The benefits extend to staff as well, said Harty, who says the larger firm will better attract talent in local hiring.
Career opportunities, mentorship and advancement that weren’t available in a small-sized city in rural Alberta are now available to staff.
“There are resources, but it will be about growing the knowledge base here locally,” said Harty.
The office is “certainly” looking to bring on new staff, said Harty, to complement the existing staff of 30 that will stay on as part of the merger. As well, the office will maintain presence in outlaying communities of Foremost, Maple Creek, Bow Island as well as Brooks.
BVA was formed in the late 1980s in Medicine Hat, which boasts a number of well-established and substantial accounting firms.
However, MNP is the only other with a national network to draw upon.
Harty fell short of advertising Grant Thornton’s interest in the area as a sign of a maturing financial services sector, but said it’s a statement about the level of business done here.
“They certainly see opportunity here,” she said. “It’s about helping the community in terms of new jobs and services for our clients. BVA was also very supportive of charity and volunteering. Grant Thornton will do the same thing.
