International - a global beginning
BDO was founded in 1963 with five original member firms in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, the US and Canada. These firms formed the Binder Seidman International Group. In 1973, the British, German and Dutch member firms adopted a common name whose acronym has endured for the entire global network.
That name was: Binder Hamlyn (UK) Dijker & Co (Holland) Otte & Co (Germany). Literally, BDO stands for Binder Dijker Otte.
Australia
In Australia, BDO was established as an association of firms in 1975. Today, we are one of Australia's largest associations of independently owned accounting practices, with offices in Adelaide, Brisbane, Cairns, Darwin, Hobart, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney.
BDO in Australia has achieved significant and consistent growth. National highlights include:
- 1975 - Established as an association of firms in Australia
- 1988 - BDO Nelson Parkhill merges with Parkhill Stirling to create BDO Nelson Wheeler and establishes offices
in each State - 2006 - BDO and Horwath networks merge in Australia*
*Note that the following Horwath Australian offices were included in the merger - Cairns, Melbourne, Perth and Hobart.