BDO cutting 31 partners, 6% of its UK partnership, to free senior roles for younger staff across its London and regional offices. The fifth‑largest accounting firm in Britain targets older members slated to retire and hires from rivals. The move trims roughly a dozen partners per business area.

Last year BDO’s profit fell 7%, and average equity‑partner earnings slipped from £681,000 to £589,000. Pressure from AI‑driven automation and a broader services slowdown prompted similar restructurings at KPMG and PwC, which recently slashed hundreds of jobs, as rivals tighten budgets.

During the pandemic, firms rode a surge in consulting demand, but a weakening outlook now leaves many overstaffed. BDO captured mid‑market work as the Big Four retreated after the Carillion and BHS collapses, and it will merge its UK and Ireland entities to boost scale, while competition intensifies.

Private‑equity deals are reshaping accounting, highlighted by Grant Thornton’s £1.5 billion valuation after Cinven’s investment and Evelyn Partners’ sale to Apax. BDO is reportedly weighing private capital for regional mergers, a strategy that could sharpen its cost base and position it for high‑growth mid‑market opportunities in the coming fiscal year.