Lawler Chartered Accountants, a leading Australian mid-tier accountancy and business advisory group with offices in Tamworth and Walcha, is to join PKF International, currently ranked the 12th largest global accounting network.

On 3 March 2014, the five current Lawler firms (in eight locations including Tamworth and Walcha) will join the four existing PKF firms to represent PKF in Australia. The global PKF network includes 300 member firms across 400 locations, in around 125 countries.

Lawler Warburtons will be known as PKF Lawler, but will still remain 100% locally owned and operated by directors Brian Wall, Marg van Aanholt and Mark O'Connor. The firm currently employs over 30 staff in Tamworth and Walcha.

Mark O'Connor, Director at Lawler Tamworth, said "PKF is one of the world's most respected and globally recognised accounting brands. This is a fantastic move for our firm and our clients in the New England region. To be the only firm in this area with a national and international presence is really significant. In addition to our core service of tax, accounting and audit delivered locally, we have significantly increased capability in business recovery and insolvency, corporate finance, specialist tax consulting and IT solutions through the PKF network. This key strategic move reflects the growing importance of having a high quality global connection whilst retaining our independence in the market in which we operate."

Lawler offices in Tamworth, Walcha, Sydney, Newcastle, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Rockhampton will join the existing PKF members in Perth, Gold Coast, Canberra and Hobart with combined revenue in excess of $80m and 65 partners.