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Profits dip for Deloitte in the UK despite a rise in revenue [Herald, The (Scotland)](Herald, The (Scotland) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) ACCOUNTANCY giant Deloitte has seen profits dip at its UK operation in spite of revenue increasing for the fourth year in a row. The firm's annual financial statement, published today, shows the profit for distribution among partners was pound(s)554 million in the 12 months to May 31 this year, down from pound(s)571m. That meant the average profit for the 739 partners came in at just short of pound(s)750,000, compared to 740 partners and nearly pound(s)772,000 in the prior year. While that is the average sum, some partners will earn significantly more with others picking up less, depending on how they have performed. Chief executive David Sproul was the partner with the largest entitlement and his package was worth pound(s)2.6m, down from pound(s)2.7m. Revenue across the firm grew 1.4 per cent from pound(s)2.52 billion to pound(s)2.55bn. The audit practice fell 1.8 per cent from pound(s)719m to pound(s)706m, while tax was marginally down from pound(s)563m to pound(s)562m. Consulting saw growth of 0.5 per cent from pound(s)619m to pound(s)622m with corporate finance rising 4.7 per cent to pound(s)424m and the group's Swiss practice increasing 13 per cent from pound(s)209m to pound(s)236m. Mr Sproul signalled the new financial year had got off to a strong start, but the run-up to the UK general election as well as uncertainty over a possible referendum on European Union membership may lead to a slowing of activity as the period progresses. He said: "Looking ahead, we expect that better economic conditions will result in significant improvements across our markets. "Growth has increased in the first quarter of the new financial year and we are seeing a renewed confidence and optimism in our clients to make investment decisions. However, whilst we continue to make investments for the future, we do hold a concern that political uncertainty may dampen business activity later in the year." The firm said it had hired 138 senior staff across its practices in Scotland and Northern Ireland as well as dozens of graduates and scholars. Headcount across the countries was at 771 as of May this year. Deloitte said 55 chief financial officers based in Scotland had been through its next generation training programme across the past four years. Mr Sproul said: "The global ambition of our clients and our people is creating opportunities for the firm to increase revenue internationally. "More than 200 of our partners and staff are currently on secondment overseas and we think this will become a bigger feature over the next year or more." Average staff numbers in the year were recorded as 14,726, up from 14,529, with employee costs rising from pound(s)1bn to pound(s)1.07bn. (c) 2014 ProQuest Information and Learning Company; All Rights Reserved. |