MNP mergers expand Nova Scotia accounting presence

TORONTO, Dec. 22, 2019 – Homegrown Canadian accounting firm has expanded its presence in Nova Scotia and Atlantic Canada with the merger of two accounting firms based in Sydney, Nova Scotia: MGM & Associates Chartered Professional Accountants, and Jennings March Chartered Professional Accountants. 

Calgary-based MNP LLP is the largest mid-market accounting firm in Canada, with 5,000 employees in more than 75 locations across the country. The firm entered the Nova Scotia marketplace in January 2017 through a merger with Halifax-based firm, WBLI, which has offices in Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) and Truro. MNP has been keen to extend its national presence from coast-to-coast. 

"Nova Scotia offers a stable and diverse economy that is particularly strong in the agriculture, private enterprise, credit union, real estate and construction, Government, education, and tourism sectors; all of which MNP is already intimately serving," says Kirk Higgins, MNP's Regional Managing Partner for Atlantic Canada. 

"We've been delighted to help MNP grow as a part of the HRM community over the last couple of years and, as we continue to grow our firm to serve the needs of this thriving region, we are excited to welcome not just one, but two well-established accounting firms that share our values and client-centric approach." 

Founded in 1958, MNP has grown to more than 80 locations across Canada, and delivers a wide range of services and specialized expertise in every sector and area of business. The firm continues to maintain its Canadian roots. Since entering the Ontario market in the summer of 2008, MNP has grown to more than 25 locations in Eastern Canada, while continuing to look for like-minded firms and professionals who can help it build on its strategic plans for continued growth. 

"To maintain our culture, we have always been very strategic about who we invite to join our family," adds Jeremy Cole, MNP's Executive Vice President for Ontario, Quebec and Atlantic Canada. "We are known across the communities we work with as being one of the most trusted accounting, tax and business consulting firms, so we are excited to welcome both the MGM and Jennings March practices into the MNP family. All of our cultures and values are well-aligned, and we share the same entrepreneurial, trusted approach to doing business." 

Gary Jennings says he made the decision to join MNP because of the culture: "Although MNP is a large national firm, it's always been known for being local in focus with a small-firm culture and commitment to supporting the local communities that its teams live and work in. We knew joining MNP would be a good fit for our clients and our team and we are excited about the future.  To join a firm with the depth of resources that MNP offers, while maintaining our local focus, is truly a unique and exceptional opportunity." 

MGM co-founder Sonny MacDougall  says, "MNP complements and enhances our current service offerings and brings greater bench strength to help us service organizations in and around Sydney and the Cape Breton Region Municipality (CBRM). We believe that joining MNP is a perfect example of how two firms can come together to give our clients the edge they need to stay competitive and overcome current business and industry challenges. By joining MNP we will add more resources, more specialized services, and a range of new experiences, all of which will help to provide our clients with even greater value in the future." 

The Cape Breton Post reports that, for now, both the MGM and the Jennings March teams will remain at their present Dorchester Street locations in Sydney but will work closely with MNP’s existing teams in Dartmouth and Truro. 

By Canadian Accountant with files from MNP LLP and the Cape Breton Post.