BDO adds advisory and tax partners in Sydney office

BDO’s Australian arm has appointed three new partners in recent weeks. The trio of Ali Bolbol, Andrew McFarlane and Mark Griffiths have all joined BDO’s Sydney office.

Ali Bolbol joined the accounting and consulting firm from Deloitte, where he was a director. Previously, he spent over 15 years at KPMG, EY and Arthur Andersen. Bolbol specialises in tax issues – income tax, international tax (inbound and outbound) and capital gains tax – with significant expertise in financial services, including general and life insurance, securitisation, broking and funds management.

“Ali’s experience in providing advice to domestic and multinational corporate groups on a variety of tax issues and complex business transactions, including acquisitions, divestments, capital management, tax risk management, cross-border transactions and financing will allow us to remain at the forefront of emerging developments in tax,” said Neil Billyard, partner in charge of BDO’s tax team in Sydney.

According to Grant Saxon, who leads BDO’s Sydney office, the appointment was driven by increasing client demand for tax advisory services. “Our clients are having to innovate if they are to succeed and navigate through the various financial services regulations and tax mazes. I’m delighted that Ali will be part of our growing team.”

Andrew McFarlane has meanwhile joined BDO as a partner in the firm’s corporate finance team. At the mid-ter accounting and advisory firm, McFarlane will supports client with acquisitions, divestments, mergers and demergers, integration and separation, and strategic transaction services. “Andrew’s arrival will certainly bolster the team. His skills complement those of our current line-up and his depth of experience in M&A transactions will help us strengthen our leading position in the mid-market,” said Sebastian Stevens, BDO leader of the corporate finance unit.

McFarlane previously worked at BDO in the UK, the US and the United Arab Emirates. Most recently he served Fairfax Media – the publisher behind The Sydney Morning Herald and The Australian Financial Review – as General Manager Corporate Strategy, based in Sydney. Saxon added: “Andrew’s appointment solidifies our corporate finance go-to-market expertise.”

Earlier this year, BDO snagged a partner from rival Grant Thornton, Mark Griffiths, to support the firm’s growing footprint in the risk advisory services landscape. Griffiths was previously the national head of business risk at Grant Thornton, and was an associate director with BDO before that. Griffiths brings over 22 years’ experience in internal audit, risk management and other audit and advisory services in both Australia and the UK to the mid-tier firm. 

“We’ve seen strong demand for risk based consulting services in the Sydney market,” said Saxon. “Mark is well known as a leading risk management practitioner and by joining our team, we will further cement our position as a leading provider of risk services for businesses and government bodies.”