BrazilFirms in Bolivia, Chile and Ecuador join international groups
International mid-tier accounting and consulting groups BKR, IECnet and Nexia have expanded their footprint in three South American countries: Bolivia, Chile and Ecuador.
In the largest of the three countries, Bolivia, H. Baldivieso & Luna has been appointed a member firm of IECnet, short for International Association of Accountants, Auditors And Tax Consultants. With more than 70 member firms across the globe, Paris-headquartered IECnet is one of the globe’s 40 largest international accounting networks.
H. Baldivieso & Luna is based in La Paz, and has a further operation in Santa Cruz, which is Bolivia’s largest city in terms of inhabitants. The professional services firm support clients with auditing, consulting, tax advice, transfer pricing, accounting and outsourcing services.
In Chile, ARTL, which has offices in Santiago and Concepción, joined the network of Nexia International. Commenting on the addition, Nexia International chief executive officer Kevin Arnold said: “The expertise and market knowledge of ARTL brings will be of great benefit to clients in Chile and members across the world, and we look forward to working with them.”
ARTL, which previously was a member firm of rival network RSM International, has nearly 80 staff. The professional services firm offers a range of audit, advisory, risk management, outsourcing, business process consulting, tax advisory, tax compliance and legal consultancy services.
The company is led by managing partner Luis Landa, with other senior leaders including Angélica León, Fernando Landa, José Navarrete, José Luis Muñoz, Jonathan Ortiz And Gonzalo Ayala. Top boss Luis Landa remarked: “We believe that Nexia’s forward-looking leadership, its people, its commitment and the empathy between its members makes it the right choice for our firm and we look forward to being part of its bright future.”
Meanwhile, in Ecuador, Guayaquil-based Auditores Externos Varela & Patiño has become a member firm of BKR International, with more than 160 independent accounting and business advisory firms in more than 500 offices and 80 countries a top 10 accounting player globally.
Auditores Externos Varela & Patiño was founded in 2013 by founding partner Carlos Manuel Varela Patiño, who previously worked as an external auditor of financial statements and as a tax advisor. Under his leadership, the local firm has grown to a team of 11 professionals specialised in accounting, auditing, tax and advisory.
