OREANDA-NEWS. July 07, 2011. PwC Russia opened its newest office in Novosibirsk, the firm’s seventh in Russia. The opening was preceded by an official letter of intent between PwC Russia and the Novosibirsk Region Government, which was signed in February by Novosibirsk Region Governor Vasily Yurchenko and then-PwC Russia Managing Partner Peter Gerendasi. In addition, PwC Russia and Novosibirsk State University signed an agreement for mutual cooperation in various areas, reported the press-centre of PwC.

On opening day, new PwC Russia Managing Partner David Gray and Alexei Fomin, the head of the Novosibirsk office, met with Governor Yurchenko and Novosibirsk Region Economic Development Minister Alexei Strukov, who congratulated PwC Russia on the occasion. The meeting also covered upcoming plans for mutual cooperation.

The official opening ceremony took place at the Hilton Business Centre, where the new office is located. In attendance were Mr Gray, Mr Strukov and Mr Fomin, as well as Boris Bureev, Head of the Novosibirsk Mayor’s Office Department of Finance and Tax Policy. Before the assembled guests and media, David Gray and Alexei Strukov kicked things off with a ceremonial ribbon cutting, symbolising the fact that PwC is now open for business in the heart of Siberia.

In choosing Novosibirsk to open its newest office, PwC Russia is looking to help make the Novosibirsk Region more attractive to investors, as well as promote investment projects, enhance the operational efficiency of local businesses, and develop audit and consulting services in the region. The office will also focus on training highly qualified professionals, who can become drivers for the region’s future development. This priority area will include, for example, training programmes in preparing IFRS financial statements delivered by PwC Academy in Novosibirsk.