BDO adds Aruba based WTS to its Dutch Caribbean footprint

19 May 2017 Consultancy.uk

BDO has admitted W-Tax and Legal Services to its international network, as the accounting and professional services firm seeks to consolidate its presence in the territory of the former Dutch Caribbean.

W-Tax and Legal Services (WTS) was founded in 2006 by Cari Wolter, who previously was a Partner at KPMG where she led the tax practice in Aruba. The firm, which currently has a team of 3 partners and 18 professionals, offers a range of tax and business advisory services to clients across Aruba. WTS has a strong network of clients across Aruba, working in a range of sectors, including consumer business, leisure industry, luxury retail, financial services, public sector and pharmaceuticals. The firm is headquartered in an iconic building along Aruba’s main boulevard.

BDO’s appointment of WTS as an independent member firm in Aruba, consolidates its presence in the former territory of the Dutch Caribbean. WTS will subsequently be rebranded as BDO WTS, as through the addition to its network, BDO hopes the new deal will strengthen their brand in a key market in the region, as well as gaining access to desired mid-market clients across Aruba, Sint Maarten, Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, Saba and Curaçao, the Dutch Caribbean’s most populous country.

WTS in Aruba joins BDO

Commenting on the new membership, Keith Farlinger, BDO’s CEO of the Americas, commented, “This new firm is a welcome addition to a vibrant BDO region that has grown significantly in recent years. Already very successful locally, BDO WTS wishes to expand its business by joining a strong global network and we look forward to a new chapter for BDO in Aruba,” he says.

Remarking on joining the network, Cari Wolter, a Managing Partner at WTS reiterated that by signing up as a BDO member firm, WTS hoped to grow as a business – strengthening their position within the local market, as well as benefitting from referrals to global clients. She added, “Our values are very much aligned with BDO’s and we will continue to build strong business relationships in order to provide added value to our clients. We firmly believe that the BDO network, whose vision is to be the leader for exceptional client service, is the perfect match for us.”

BDO’s main rivals – EY, Deloitte, KPMG and PwC – all already have a presence in Aruba, all five firms are based in Oranjestad, the island’s capital.

With a headcount of 68,000 partners and staff in over 1,400 offices throughout the world, BDO is the fifth largest professional services network globally.