Saffery

The origins of Saffery can be traced to an accountancy practice founded in 1855 by 21-year old Joseph John Saffery at London’s Guildhall chambers.{{Cite web|url=https://www.icaew.com/library/historical-resources/guide-to-historical-resources/firm-histories/whats-in-a-name/saffery|title=Saffery Champness family tree|website=Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales}}{{cite web|url=https://www.saffery.com/about-us/our-heritage/|title=Our heritage|website=Saffery|access-date=26 August 2024}} Saffery formed a partnership with William Palmer which lasted until 1865 when Croysdill, Saffery & Co was formed, with Saffery becoming partners with H Croysdill. In 1875, Croysdill, Saffery & Co became J J Saffery & Co.

In 1880, the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) was formed and Saffery was a member of the first council. In 1885, Saffery's son Francis joined the partnership and the firm became Saffery, Son & Company. Joseph John Saffery became the Institute president between 1889 and 1891.{{Cite web|url=http://www.icaew.com/~/media/Files/Library/subjects/accounting-history/past-presidents-of-the-institute-of-chartered-accountants-in-england-and-wales.pdf|title=Past presidents of the ICAEW}} Saffery laid the foundation stone for Chartered Accountants' Hall in Moorgate, London in 1890 under his presidency. Saffery died in 1900.

On 1 July 1982, Safferys and Champness, Cowper & Co, merged to practise as Saffery Champness.{{Cite web|url=https://www.accountancydaily.co/firm-focus-champing-bit|title=Firm focus - Champing at the bit | Accountancy Daily|website=www.accountancydaily.co}} Champness could trace its origins back to Champness & Maclerie, co-founded by JH Champness in 1861.

In 1987, the London and High Wycombe offices of Armitage & Norton became part of Safferys Champness, with the other offices becoming part of Peat Marwick McLintock. Charles Payne had founded Armitage & Norton in 1868. Armitage & Norton, had expanded to include Oldham, Holland & Co. in 1975 and Dunn, Wylie & Co. in 1976. Oldham, Holland & Co. could trace its roots back to Cape & Harris, founded in 1864 by George Augustus Cape, also an original council member of the ICAEW as well as a founding member of the Institute of Accountants in London in 1870.

In 2010, Jonathan Fox became the firm's managing partner – the first non-accountant to lead a top 20 firm.{{Cite web|url=https://www.accountancyage.com/2013/07/17/best-practice-saffery-champness-jonathan-fox/|title=Best Practice: Saffery Champness' Jonathan Fox|date=July 17, 2013|website=Accountancy Age}} On 1 October 2012, the firm announced the acquisition of the Film & TV Unit of RSM Tenon. The transaction enabled them to build their Sports and Entertainment Group.{{Cite web|url=https://www.accountancyage.com/2012/10/01/saffery-champness-confirms-acquisition-of-tenon-film-unit-staff/|title=Saffery Champness confirms acquisition of Tenon film unit staff|date=October 1, 2012|website=Accountancy Age}}

In 2013, Saffery Champness was involved in developing and lobbying for the UK Tax Relief and were the advisers for the production's cultural test application.{{Cite web|url=http://www.productionguild.com/news/current-news/saffery-champness-advises-on-first-tv-drama-to-qualify-for-uk-tax-relief|title=Saffery Champness Advises on First TV Drama to Qualify for UK Tax Relief, The Production Guild, April 2013}}

In 2016 the firm relocated its London office to 71 Queen Victoria Street, London.{{Cite web|url=https://www.accountancylive.com/saffery-champness-relocates-brand-new-city-london-hq|title=Saffery Champness relocates to brand new City of London HQ {{!}} CCH Daily|website=www.accountancylive.com|language=en|access-date=2017-12-07}} In 2017, the firm opposed changes by the UK Government to require Scottish limited partnerships to disclose "persons of significant control", saying it was a "further erosion of privacy".{{cite web|url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/15514385.elite-edinburgh-accountants-host-firm-40m-kgb-fraud-probe/|title=Elite Edinburgh accountants host firm in £40m KGB fraud probe|first=David|last=Leask|date= September 2017|access-date=20 September 2023|work=The Herald}}

In 2021, the Financial Reporting Council opened an investigation into work done by Saffery Champness in auditing Greensill Capital's accounts between 2014 and 2019 after the company's collapse.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2021/jun/28/greensill-scandal-watchdog-opens-investigation-into-auditors-including-pwc|title=Greensill: watchdog opens investigation into auditors including PwC|work=The Guardian|date=8 June 2021|access-date=20 September 2023|first=Kalyeena|last=Makortoff}}{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/uk-watchdog-opens-investigation-into-pwc-audit-wyelands-ban-2021-06-28/|title=UK watchdog investigates Greensill and Wyelands Bank auditors|first=Huw|last=Jones|date=28 June 2021|access-date=20 September 2023|publisher=Reuters}}

In September 2023, Saffery Champness rebranded as Saffery.{{cite web| url=https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/OC415438| title=SAFFERY LLP| website=Find and update company information Gov.UK| access-date=2023-09-04}}

In 1986, SC International, an international network of Saffery Champness, was founded by the firm. SC International included J.H. Cohn, New York's largest independent accounting firm at the time.

In 2007, SC International merged with Nexia International, the international network of Smith & Williamson, to form the world's ninth-largest accounting firm.{{cite news|title=Accounting; Latest merger|page=65|newspaper=The Advertiser|location=Adelaide}}{{cite magazine|magazine=Accountancy Age|title=Nexia swallows Saffery Champness network|date=15 August 2007|url=https://www.accountancyage.com/2007/08/15/nexia-swallows-saffery-champness-network/|last=Neveling|first=Nicholas}}{{Cite web|url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-scinternational-nexia-idUKL1687954420070816|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305163126/http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-scinternational-nexia-idUKL1687954420070816|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 5, 2016|title=Accounting firm Nexia to buy SC International|website=Reuters|date=August 2007|access-date=31 May 2023 }}

Nexia traces its history back to 1971 when it was founded by Spicer & Pegler in the United Kingdom and Oppenheim Appel Dixon & Associates in the United States.{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081218041330/http://www.nexia.com/about.html|url=http://www.nexia.com/about.html|archive-date=18 December 2008|title=About Nexia|website=Nexia}} In 1990, Spicer & Oppenheim International merged with NR International (the international network of Neville Russell) to create Nexia International, following the UK arm of Spicer & Oppenheim becoming part of Touche Ross.{{cite news|newspaper=The Times|date=1 October 1992|page=26|title=Any other business|last=Ashworth|first=Jon}}{{cite news|newspaper=The Independent|title=International accountancy firm sign merger deal|date=11 October 1990|last=Pincombe|first=Simon|page=31}} In 1998, Neville Russell merged with Mazars and left Nexia, leaving it without a UK firm. Smith & Williamson took their place.{{cite magazine|magazine=European Accounting Bulletin|date=30 October 1998|title=Nexia fills vacuum in UK and French markets|issue=236}}

In 2012, J.H. Cohn merged with the Reznick group to form CohnReznick, and become the 11th largest accounting firm in the United States.{{cite news|newspaper=Long Island Business News|date=10 October 2012|title=J.H. Cohn, Reznick Group merge into Manhattan-based CohnReznick}} In addition to CohnReznick, Maloney + Novotny is another Nexia International member firm based in the United States.{{cite web|url=https://nexia.com/global-presence/?step=1&country=67&city=&query=#searchresults|title=Accounting and consulting firms in United States|website=Nexia}}

In July 2022, following the rebranding of Tilney Smith & Williamson to Evelyn Partners, it ceased to be a member of Nexia.{{cite book|title=CLA Evelyn Partners Limited Annual Report and Financial Statements|date=31 December 2022|url=https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/04469576/filing-history/MzM5MjkxMzAyMWFkaXF6a2N4/document?format=pdf&download=0|via=Companies House}}

In 2023, Leonard Curtis Business Rescue and Recovery based in the United Kingdom became a member of Nexia.{{cite web|title=Nexia welcomes insolvency and restructuring specialist Leonard Curtis as new member firm in the United Kingdom|website=Nexia|date=11 October 2023|url=https://nexia.com/about-us/press/press-articles/nexia-welcomes-insolvency-and-restructuring-specialist-leonard-curtis-as-new-member-firm-in-the-united-kingdom/}} East Anglian-based Scrutton Bland are also a UK member of Nexia.{{cite web|url=https://nexia.com/global-presence/?step=1&country=66&city=&query=#searchresults|title=Accounting and consulting firms in United Kingdom|website=Nexia}}

In August 2024, Nexia had 230 member firms in 123 countries.{{cite web|title=About us|website=Nexia|date=11 October 2023|url=https://nexia.com/about-us/}}

{{reflist}}

• [http://www.saffery.com/ Saffery]
• [http://nexia.com/ Nexia International]

Category:1855 establishments in the United Kingdom

Category:Accounting firms of the United Kingdom

Category:Financial services companies based in the City of London

Category:Macroeconomics consulting firms