MNP acquires boutique public sector consultancy 4Plan Consulting

Calgary-based accounting and consulting firm MNP has acquired Ottawa-based 4Plan Consulting. The acquired firm offers management and technology consulting services to the public sector. The deal expands MNP’s public sector consulting capabilities in Eastern Canada.

MNP LLP (formerly Meyers Norris Penny, rebranded to an acronym like many other professional services firms in the 2010s), is Canada’s fifth largest national accounting and business consulting firm, beating out mid-market rivals BDO Canada, Grant Thornton Canada/Raymond Chabot, and Collins Barrow to be the largest firm outside of the Big Four. Founded in 1958, the Calgary-based firm has 4,000 employees across more than 70 locations in Canada.

In addition to audit and tax, MNP provides a range of consulting services, including strategy, performance improvement, HR, and technology offerings. Through a campaign of organic growth and strategic M&A activity, the firm has built up the highest year-over-year growth rates of any Canadian top accounting firm.

Since last year, MNP has acquired Halifax-based WBLI, Oakville, ON-based JMA Group, and London, ON-based Collins Barrow KMD. The January 2018 acquisition of Collins Barrow KMD created MNP’s Southwestern Ontario region business, incorporating the firm’s Arkona, Clinton, London, Stratford, and Strathroy offices. The last year has been a trying one for the Collins Barrow network, as it also lost its Toronto office and three Albertan offices to mid-market newcomer RSM Canada.

Now, in order to further bolster its consulting capabilities and offerings in Eastern Canada, MNP has acquired 4Plan Consulting. The Ottawa-based firm offers management and technology consulting support to public sector clients. Founded in 1995 by Adam Ali, 4Plan boasts particular expertise in financial management systems integration, activity-based costing, and business process reengineering (BPR) – as well as deep knowledge of key government processes.

Adam Ali will join MNP as a partner in its Consulting practice, with the rest of the 4Plan Consulting team moving to MNP’s Kanata offices located on March Road.

"As we continue to grow our firm to serve the needs of our clients in the Federal Government, we are excited to welcome a well-established consulting firm that shares our values and client-centric approach," commented Sean Murphy, MNP's Consulting Regional Managing Partner for Ontario, Quebec, and Atlantic Canada.

Cultural alignment, an always important issue for both sides in a transaction, was a home run for both parties. "To maintain our culture, we have been very strategic about who we invite to join our family," said Murphy. "Both MNP's and 4Plan Consulting's cultures and values are well-aligned and we share the same entrepreneurial approach to doing business. It's truly a win-win for both our firms.”

Added Ali, "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. I knew joining MNP would be a good fit for our clients, for me and for my team. I'm really excited about the future."