Former US & UK Arthur Andersen Senior Tax Partners to advise Alvarez & Marsal Taxand on global strategy

Former Arthur Andersen Senior Tax Partners Advise Leading Independent Tax Group

Alvarez & Marsal Taxand, LLC, an independent tax group, has appointed a Global Advisory Board comprised of former Arthur Andersen senior tax partners Harry Ruffalo, Andre Fogarasi and David Murby. As senior advisers, they will advise the firm on global marketing, training initiatives and delivering outstanding client service.

“We are thrilled to have Harry, Andre and David, who were instrumental in the growth and success of Arthur Andersen’s tax business during its heyday, working with us,” said Robert N. Lowe, Jr., head of Alvarez & Marsal Taxand. “A&M’s tax advisory business in the U.S. and U.K., and across the globe through the TAXAND network, continues to experience exponential growth due to the demand by corporations for independent tax advice. This Global Advisory Board lends a practiced, insightful point-of-view on executing our strategy of providing the market with a high quality fifth global tax firm.”

“The experience these individuals bring to our firm is invaluable,” said David Pert, head of Alvarez & Marsal Taxand UK. “Their passion for the tax business is inspiring to all of our people.”

Over the course of his more than 30 year career in international tax services, Mr. Ruffalo has established and managed successful tax practices, and focused on client satisfaction. Prior to joining A&M, he was with Arthur Andersen, where he served as a senior partner for training, client satisfaction and other matters until 2000. From 1989-1997, Mr. Ruffalo was worldwide head of the firm’s tax, business advisory and legal services practice, where in addition to being in charge of the quality of the tax, legal and business advisory practice throughout the world, he was responsible for building 14 new businesses, including the state and  local tax practice. Previously, he was the head of the firm’s tax practice in Chicago from 1984-1989.

Mr. Ruffalo is a member of the University of Wisconsin Foundation Board, the Dean’s Advisory Board for the School of International Studies and the Dean’s Advisory Board for the School of Law. He was an adjunct professor with the University of Wisconsin, School of Law, where he taught a course entitled, “The Business of Practicing Law.” In addition, Mr. Ruffalo is the author of A Student’s Introduction to the Business of Practicing Law.

With more than 30 years of tax experience and 25 years of experience in international tax services, Mr. Fogarasi focuses on all aspects of managing a global tax business, including marketing, training, and serving clients efficiently and effectively. Prior to joining A&M, he was with Arthur Andersen, where he spent 11 years as a managing director of the National Tax Office in Washington, D.C., and as a managing director of U.S. tax competence, responsible for the training function within the firm’s tax practice. Previously, he was a managing director of global international tax services. Before joining Andersen, Mr. Fogarasi was the special assistant to the Under Secretary of Tax and Economic Affairs with the U.S. Department of Treasury. Previously, he was an assistant director with the general litigation division of the Office of Chief Counsel of the U.S. Internal Revenue Service.

Mr. Fogarasi was an adjunct professor of international tax at Washington College of Law, American University. He is a member of the Board of Directors of Kalypsys, a clinical stage pharmaceutical company.

Bringing more than 40 years of international tax experience, Mr. Murby focuses on recruiting, marketing and business development activities. Over the course of his career, he has maintained a focus on cross-border structuring, planning and financing, transfer pricing matters, and mergers and acquisitions transactions. Mr. Murby was a partner and senior member of the international tax team with Arthur Andersen in London until 1998. Previously, he was with HM Revenue & Customs, where he served as inspector of taxes.

Mr. Murby serves as a trustee and secretary of London String of Pearls, an organization that brings together public institutions along the Thames River to provide unique activities around special events.

About Alvarez & Marsal Taxand

Alvarez & Marsal Taxand, an affiliate of Alvarez & Marsal (A&M), a leading global professional services firm, is an independent tax group made up of experienced tax professionals dedicated to providing customized tax advice to clients and investors across a broad range of industries. Its professionals extend A&M’s commitment to offering clients a choice in advisers who are free from audit-based conflicts of interest, and bring an unyielding commitment to delivering responsive client service. A&M Taxand has offices in major metropolitan markets throughout the U.S., and serves the U.K. from its base in London, England.

Alvarez & Marsal Taxand is a founding member of Taxand, the first global network of independent tax advisers that provides multinational companies with the premier alternative to Big Four audit firms. Formed in 2005 by a small group of highly respected tax firms, Taxand has grown to more than 2,000 tax professionals, including 300 international partners based in more than 40 countries.

Alvarez & Marsal was recognized as one of the top ten “Best Firms to Work For” on Consulting Magazine’s 2008 list.