KPMG acquires Montreal-based Ruby Stein Wagner

KPMG Canada has acquired Ruby Stein Wagner (RSW), a Montreal-based accounting and consulting firm.

Founded in 1949, RSW provides audit, assurance, tax, and advisory services to family office and private clients. The firm’s advisory practice includes offerings in strategic planning, organizational design, CFO services, business succession, valuation, transaction advisory, financial planning, and IT consulting.

RSW is led by partners Hachem Halabi, Joseph Havas, Kyriakos Linardakis, and Peter Linardakis. The firm has 19 employees listed on LinkedIn.

KPMG will add RSW to its private enterprise team in Quebec, which now has over 400 professionals. The private enterprise team focuses exclusively on entrepreneurs, family businesses, and fast-growing companies.

“The addition of RSW professionals to our team strengthens our ability to meet the needs of entrepreneurs in the Greater Montreal area and augment our Family Office and private client capabilities,” said Benoit Lacoste Bienvenue, regional managing partner for Quebec, KPMG Canada.

The RSW transaction is the latest in a series that began in 2018 as part of the Big Four accountancy’s growth strategy in Quebec. KPMG’s private enterprise practice acquisitions in Quebec in the last several years include Cloutier+Longtin; FMBT LLP; RDQ; Lacroix Allaire Héroux Beaudry; and Allard Matte.

“We are delighted with our association with KPMG Private Enterprise, which shares our commitment to small- and medium-sized private businesses,” said Kyriakos Linardakis. “Together, we can provide comprehensive solutions to help businesses grow.”

KPMG’s Quebec operations span 1,750 people in eight offices. The Toronto-headquartered firm has more than 10,000 auditors, tax professionals, consultants, and support staff nationwide.