Collins Barrow Toronto announces reappointment of Managing Partner Harry Blum

TORONTO, July 19, 2012 /CNW/ - Harry Blum has been reappointed as Managing Partner at Collins Barrow Toronto. First selected for the role three years ago, Harry has brought new meaning to the phrase "business as usual." His reappointment comes with unanimous support from the firm's partners and Management Committee.

"During my initial term as Managing Partner, our foothold in the market was strengthened through the largest mid-market merger in the city," says Harry, who is also Senior Partner, Transaction Advisory Services. "Additionally, we broke ground in the heart of the financial district and built Collins Barrow Place, further aligning the firm with key markets and centres of influence."

"These factors established Collins Barrow Toronto as a powerhouse firm specializing in meeting the unique needs of mid-sized companies, and our team was more than ready to deliver," he says. "While efforts were underway to deepen marketplace recognition, we enhanced client services to develop new streams of business. Collins Barrow Toronto reinforced its commitment to delivering excellence and clarity to our clients by building up specialty areas such as corporate finance, valuation and litigation support, US tax services, sales tax recovery, and enterprise effectiveness."

Expanding service offerings was a brazen strategy, particularly during a period of economic uncertainty. While their competitors looked to maintain capacity or even downsize; Harry, the Management Committee and partners at Collins Barrow Toronto continued to push for growth. As a result, over the past three years - revenues nearly tripled.

"All our professionals and partners demonstrated dedication and a powerful commitment to client service. It's thanks to their contributions that Collins Barrow Toronto is well on its way to becoming a pre-eminent firm for the mid-market," remarks Harry. "Today, our presence continues to build, powered by ongoing acquisition initiatives and expanded service offerings. We are firing on all cylinders and I am proud to have this further opportunity to work with the team to see our initiatives through to fruition."

"This continuity of leadership is well deserved," says Enzo Testa, a founding partner of Collins Barrow Toronto. "Aside from the numerous initiatives Harry has spearheaded as Managing Partner, his leadership has helped usher in a linchpin attitude that challenges the full team to take a stake in the business. An entrepreneurial spirit has been brought to bear on each of our engagements and the benefits of this are apparent to clients in the level of service they receive. It's for this reason our firm has earned a solid reputation for excellence, within the local market and beyond."

At the national level, the Collins Barrow network is pursuing an aggressive growth strategy.

"Harry is spearheading network growth and his significant contributions have Collins Barrow well positioned as a key contender in the accounting industry," says Dan Longlade, National Chair of Collins Barrow. "As the number of member firms continues to climb, we are ensuring that our clients benefit from consistent, unsurpassed service nationwide. To this end, Harry has championed numerous strategies that are underway to increase collaboration between firms across the network. This way the very best audit, tax and advisory expertise is available to clients where and when it is needed."

Currently comprised of 21 member firms, the Collins Barrow network is the eighth largest public accounting group nationally by revenue. Through its strong infrastructure, shared expertise, resources and offices from coast to coast, the network provides clients ranging in size from large, publicly traded companies to owner-managed and emerging businesses with a full complement of professional services across every major industry sector.