A WELL-KNOWN Pietermaritzburg-based accounting and audit firm will soon form part of a major global association of independent auditing firms, while retaining its distinct identity.

Warmingtons Inc — under the leadership of directors Brett Berriman and Johan Riekert — will, as of June 1, be branded as a member firm of a leading international accounting and consulting network, Moore Stephens International Association (MSI), and will undergo a name change to Moore Stephens RB.

The move follows the retirement of well-known city professional and businessperson, ­Peter Warmington, who founded Warmingtons Inc.

“It is important to note that we will remain independently owned and managed, and we will maintain our local flavour and client focus,” stressed Berriman and Riekert.

They added that the firm will have autonomy when it comes to client relations.

The firm delivers a range of services, including audit, accounting, tax, payroll, bookkeeping, investments and business advisory.

Moore Stephens RB will become the network’s 10th member firm in South Africa. The network boasts about 630 offices with 351 members operating in 98 countries.

“The move forms part of a process of continuous improvement. There are many compliance and regulatory issues to deal with in the industry at present, and the new development will provide technical support as well as a pooling of services, among other benefits.”

Clients will also benefit from access to wider service offerings and specialist skills, such as forensic auditing.

The firm currently employs 26 people and is based at the Victoria Country Club Estate ­office park.

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It is important to note that we will remain independently owned and managed, and we will maintain our local flavour and client focus.