Mergers of large accountancy firms were seen as the way forward for the industry some years ago - the Big Eight became the Big Six and are now the Big Five.

The merger mania had its critics who argued it would reduce competition and choice for clients.

By and large, big mergers without either significant cost cuts or revenue growth, or a mixture of both rarely work out. A recent report that one in 10 partners in the UK arm of PricewaterhouseCoopers were to be invited to resign indicated problems following the 1998 merger of Pricewaterhouse and Coopers & Lybrand to form the world's largest professional services organisation.

It appears merger costs were higher than expected and job cuts were restricted under the terms of the deal.

There are no such problems at the merged Irish operation. Since the merger 18 new partners have been appointed, with more appointments expected in July. There were 74 partners at the time of the merger, there are 75 now - retirements, service abroad and deaths removed 17 partners. There were 1,100 employees at the time of the merger. There are 1,600 now.

Strong growth in revenue has been the key. Revenue has increased by about 20 per cent per annum since the merger.