Russell Bedford admits Marikon Audit as its first member firm in Uzbekistan

Online, December 15, 2009 (Newswire.com) - In one of the global accounting group's first steps into Central Asia, Russell Bedford International has appointed Uzbek CPA firm Marikon Audit LLC as a member of its network.

Marikon Audit is an independent audit and tax consulting practice, established in 2000 in Tashkent, the capital of the Republic of Uzbekistan. It is one of around 50 firms in the country that are licensed as audit practices, and one of fewer than 30 that are qualified to audit organisations with a state shareholding of greater than 51%. Audit clients include foreign-owned entities and joint ventures together with various international development organisations.

According to a league table of audit firms published in 2005 by the Chamber of Auditors, Marikon Audit is ranked third in the market.

The firm is run by Natalia Kondratova, her daughter Marina and her son Nikolai.

Natalia Kondratova is responsible for the firm's general management and audit quality control. She is a certified auditor with some 14 years' experience as an auditor and 13 years' experience as an economist. She is a member of the National Association of Accountants and Auditors of Uzbekistan (NAAA) and the Chamber of Auditors of Uzbekistan.

Marina Kondratova is an audit partner with some 13 years' professional experience. She has a BA in Economics from the Moscow Institute of Entrepreneurship and Law.

Nikolai Kondratov is a partner with 11 years of professional experience in auditing. He has a BA in Economics from the Moscow Institute of Entrepreneurship and Law. He is also qualified under the CIPA (Certified International Professional Accountant) programme. He specialises in financial reporting to national accounting standards and IFRS. Nikolai is also responsible for the operations of Marikon's associated practice Ziyo Konsalt LLC, which is engaged in outsourced accounting and consulting services.

In total Marikon Audit has some 40 personnel, including eight certified auditors. The firm has three offices, two in Tashkent and one in Kokand.

For more information, contact Natalia Kondratova on +371 268 49 60. Alternatively, visit the websites www.marikon.uz, and www.russellbedford.com .

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Note to Editors

Established in 1983, Russell Bedford International is a global network of independent firms of accountants, business consultants and specialist legal advisers.

Ranked as one of the world's top 15 accounting and audit networks, Russell Bedford is represented by some 460 partners, 5000 staff and 200 offices in more than 70 countries in Europe, the Americas, the Middle East, Africa and Asia-Pacific.

All Russell Bedford affiliates are well-established firms offering international business advice and services to local and multinational clients. Most provide a full range of services comprising accounting, auditing, tax advice, general business guidance and financial consulting. In addition, many have special expertise in particular fields, such as international taxation or information technology.

In January 2008 Russell Bedford International was named one of the first 17 full members of the IFAC Forum of Firms after reporting it had implemented a globally coordinated quality assurance programme, committed to the use of International Standards on Auditing (ISAs), and met other specific ethics requirements.