Nicholas A. Rees, the former accomplished Bahamian swimmer and two-time Olympian, has been named the newest partner of HLB Galanis & Co. by the firm’s managing partner, Philip C. Galanis.

Nicholas is a highly skilled and qualified accountant certified by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), which is the world’s leading body for professional accountants. Nicholas is a graduate of Ohio State University, with a bachelor’s degree in financial management and a minor in economics. He also holds a Master’s of Business Administration from the University of Miami, having specialized in international business, with a certificate in management studies.

Nicholas has been practicing as a senior consultant and manager with the firm for the past three years, concentrating his consulting practice in corporate finance, business advisory and forensic audit services. He has over 10 years of professional experience ranging from small business startups and capital financing to securities, investments and financial services.

Nicholas joined HLB Galanis & Co. after serving as finance officer for the Bahamas International Securities Exchange (BISX), and the Bahamas Central Securities Depository (BCSD). He is also fluent in Spanish, which proves beneficial to the firm’s international clientele.

Commenting on his admission to the partnership, Philip Galanis, managing partner commented: “Nicholas brings a tremendous depth of knowledge, experience and progressive vision to the firm as a young, highly intelligent certified accountant. His vast knowledge of capital markets, their regulatory framework, along with his extensive experience with developing and implementing policies and procedures has added tremendous value to our clients. I am extremely delighted to welcome Nicholas as a partner in the firm and we look forward to him expanding our vision as we enhance our professional service offerings in a wide range of sectors.”

HLB Galanis & Co. was founded in 1998 by former Member of Parliament Philip C. Galanis and is a leading Bahamian-based accounting firm. The firm’s motto, "Local in touch, global in reach" is indicative of its capabilities, and it provides excellent services to local clients, while simultaneously having the resources to extend its services internationally. The firm currently has offices in New Providence, Grand Bahama and the Turks and Caicos Islands.

HLB Galanis & Co. is a member of HLB International (HLBI), a global network of respected accounting and consulting firms. HLBI is a fast-growing, dynamic network of professional accounting firms and business advisers. Formed in 1969, HLBI services clients in over 100 countries, with more than 1,900 partners and a staff of 17,000 in over 500 offices around the world. HLBI is ranked 12th among global accounting firms, based on annual billings of $1.7 billion.