Big Four accountancy firm PwC is turning its attention to opening an office in Dundee.
The professional services company closed its last base in the city more than a decade ago.
Dundee’s economic revival has prompted it to consider “establishing a physical presence” in the city again at some point over the next year.
It retained some major customers in Dundee since closing its previous office but serviced their needs from other PwC offices in Scotland.
Tax partner Susannah Simpson said PwC is looking into creating a greater physical presence in Dundee and is studying office locations in the city.
“We have had a real focus on doing more with the business community and our existing Dundee clients over the last nine months,” she stated.
“One option to cement that which has worked for others is to open a small office in the city initially with the option of extending it or taking on bigger space over time and in light of experience.”
PwC recognised the strengths of prominent players in the Dundee accountancy scene like Henderson Loggie and EQ and would not look to compete directly with these firms.
“We see merit in offering our expertise in different areas from those presently available in the city, such as helping high growth and tech companies using the greater breadth of professional services that a firm of our size possesses,” she explained.
“We have watched with great interest the marvellous things taking place with the rejuvenation of Dundee.
“There is the development at the waterfront with the V&A, the exciting activities at the university in areas like life sciences and Dundee’s growing creative industry through the computer games companies.
“Dundee Port is in the market for oil rig decommissioning work which will also be a boost the city’s economy.
“We believe there are opportunities for us to be able to help these projects and initiatives to succeed with the expertise we have in particular specialisms such as bringing the weight of our Aberdeen Oil & Gas/Energy Centre of Excellence to Dundee.”
PwC recently invested in a new office in Aberdeen, despite the downturn in the oil and gas industry, because if its confidence in the ability of that part of Scotland to overcome its present economic difficulties.
She added: “In a similar way, we see and are excited by the potential of the economy of Dundee and the surrounding area for a firm like ours, and it is a place where we are very interested in opening an office.
“We would like to do what we can to help Dundee grab the massive opportunities that lie ahead of it, and are very much discussing establishing a physical presence there.”
