The deal, which is awaiting a partner vote and regulatory approval, would create an enlarged firm with annual revenues approaching £1.1 billion. The new entity would combine 542 partners and 8,500 employees across the UK’s 18 sites and BDO Ireland’s offices in Dublin and Limerick, remaining part of the BDO International network.

Mark Shaw, managing partner at BDO UK, said the move is a response to mid-market clients increasingly seeking cross-border support. “It makes sense that we look at ways to collaborate even more closely,” he stated. Brian McEnery, managing partner at BDO Ireland, described it as a “logical step”.

This merger aligns with a broader industry trend of accounting firms consolidating national practices to build regional scale. While many mid-tier rivals, such as Grant Thornton, have accepted private equity investment to fund such expansion, BDO is not using external backing for this specific deal.

Instead, the firm is promising partners increased internal investment and international work opportunities. However, BDO’s global umbrella body is separately researching future external investment options, including private credit or equity stakes, to help member firms consolidate elsewhere.