According to the post which introduced the project be was already using them and they referred him internally
Back in April during a regular catchup with the folks at KPMG about some otherwise mundane financial stuff (I've met with advisers regularly as my own financial state became more complex), they suggested I have a chat with their Mergers and Acquisition (M&A) practice about finding a new home for HIBP. I was comfy doing that; we have a long relationship and they understand not just HIBP, but the broader spectrum of the cyber things I do day to day.
> I'm surprised anyone would contact KPMG for M&A at all, in that they're primarily an accountant
They have other business lines. But they aren’t notable. If you’re a top M&A banker, or even the best in a small niche, you’re at a bulge bracket or a boutique. Not KPMG.
I think it's worth noting that Troy may have wanted a firm with a global presence given that he's based out of the Gold Coast. The firms with big M&A reps in the USA don't necessarily have that same rep or presence down here, particularly in Brisbane.
> Troy may have wanted a firm with a global presence
Troy is a deliberate thinker. I'm not second-guessing his choice.
The top M&A bankers in Australia are routinely one of a Swiss bank, an American bank and/or Macquarie [1]. The global banks are known as such because they have uniquely global reach. They're also uniquely expensive.
For a small deal, a boutique with global reach would be the default choice. They bring expertise with heavyweights who want a better work-life balance. They bring cost effectiveness with a reduced footprint.
The only reason to go with KPMG is because you know someone there you trust.
Regardless I think using any big 4 consulting firm would be cost prohibitive for a small sale like this? No wonder they were laughing at the end of every meeting. He literally flew around with a team of KMPG consultants to 43 meetings to sell a site worth what a couple million at best...?
Over a third (39%) of KPMG's revenue comes from management consulting services. KPMG has an entire arm of the company that is classified as "Advisory" (aka consulting), of which M&A is a big part of, and it is completely separated from the accounting/audit arms.
All of the Big 4 "accounting firms" actually also house the largest consulting companies in the world, but somehow their old reputation of being "primarily an accountant / auditor" keeps sticking.
Back in April during a regular catchup with the folks at KPMG about some otherwise mundane financial stuff (I've met with advisers regularly as my own financial state became more complex), they suggested I have a chat with their Mergers and Acquisition (M&A) practice about finding a new home for HIBP. I was comfy doing that; we have a long relationship and they understand not just HIBP, but the broader spectrum of the cyber things I do day to day.
https://www.troyhunt.com/project-svalbard-the-future-of-have...