OREANDA-NEWS. December 03, 2012. PricewaterhouseCoopers Audit held an opening ceremony in its new office in Voronezh. PwC now has nine offices in Russia including Moscow, Saint Petersburg, Kazan, Ekaterinburg, Novosibirsk, Krasnodar, Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, Vladikavkaz and Voronezh, reported the press-centre of PwC.   

Mikhail Frolov, Managing Director of PwC office in Voronezh:

"The decision to launch PwC's office in Voronezh, the 'capital' of the Central Black Earth Region, was prompted by the economic potential of both the area as a whole, as well as Voronezh and the Voronezh Region in particular. This region is home to a considerable number of successful and fast-growing companies that are already utilising PwC's services or may be potentially interested in them. Voronezh has nearly a million inhabitants, tremendous business development opportunities and a strong university base."

PwC's clients already include five of the top ten companies by sales in the Central Black Earth Region, including companies operating in the Voronezh Region. The new office opened in Voronezh will enable PwC to further strengthen relations with these entities and engage new clients in the region. Voronezh-based professionals will also service clients in the Lipetsk, Belgorod, Kursk and Tambov Regions.

Alexei Gordeev, the governor of the Voronezh Region, Anatoly Bukreev, Head of the Department for Economic Development of the Voronezh Region, David Gray, Managing Partner of PwC Russia, Dmitry Pavlov, General Director of Minudobreniya, Dmitry Yendovitsky, Rector of Voronezh State University, and Mikhail Frolov, Managing Director of PwC office in Voronezh, attended the opening ceremony.

Alexei Gordeev, the governor of the Voronezh Region, congratulated PwC on opening the new office and said:

“First, opening this office underscores the potential of the Voronezh Region as compared to other Russian regions, and this is certainly a mark of quality. Second, and, possibly the most important issue for the firm, is the presence of large economic entities in our region. The fact that PwC will provide a wide range of services here will make operations convenient, prestigious and create new opportunities for growth and entry of certain investors into our region. I'd like to wish the specialists in the PwC Voronezh office success, growth and development. I believe we can position ourselves as not only a central office in the Black Earth Region, but as a central office throughout the entire European part of Russia. For our part, the regional government may also be a client of your firm."

David Gray, Managing Partner of PwC Russia, had the following to say:

"Voronezh is one of the most promising and fastest growing cities in Russia. In 2011, RBC included Voronezh in its list of Russia's top 10 cities for business. The city’s favourable location makes Voronezh an attractive place for business. Voronezh is our ninth office in Russia and 777th worldwide. Seven is a lucky number and we are confident that we will be off to a strong start."

During the opening ceremony for PwC's office in Voronezh, an agreement was signed with Minudobreniya to audit its RAS accounting reports and IFRS financial statements.

Dmitry Pavlov, general director of Minudobreniya, noted:

"We have been your client for many years already. Our company is a leader in the chemical industry according to a number of indicators, and we are the only mineral fertilizer producer in the Central Black Earth Region. PwC is a leader in audit and consulting and I am pleased that we have access to these kinds of specialists. Our cooperation will become even closer and more effective, since global industry leaders such as PwC are becoming more connected to our region now. The firm's slogan - 'we see no limits, only opportunities' - presents a new starting line for all of us and new opportunities for the region in raising investments."

Initially, the Voronezh-based office will employ 12 specialists. Over five years, the number of staff is expected to top 45. PwC in Voronezh will offer a full array of services, including assurance, tax and legal services, assistance in accessing capital markets, support for M&As, professional development for personnel, and the private company services which PwC has been focused on in recent years.

PwC has been active in the Russian market since 1989. Since then, PwC Russia has grown to become the largest audit and consulting services provider in Russia and worldwide. The firm employs about 2,800 professionals in nine offices in Russia, including Moscow, Saint Petersburg, Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, Kazan, Novosibirsk, Ekaterinburg, Vladikavkaz, Krasnodar and now, Voronezh.