The creation of new Forvis Mazars Top 10 global network, bringing together two international professional services giants such as Mazars and Forvis, is expected to radically enhance the depth and quality of the range of services offered by Forvis Mazars in Malta.

According to Anthony Attard, the firm’s Managing Partner, the creation of the new global Forvis Mazars network has, in one stroke, “exponentially enhanced the depth and quality of our service offer, opening up opportunities to tap into the experience and expertise of professionals in multiple spheres, and putting these qualities to work for the benefit our Maltese and international clients.

Simply put, the new network has enabled us to take that great leap forward in terms of boosting our capabilities to deal with current and future challenges. Hence our brand tagline ‘Built for Forward’.” He explains that these developments “have also dovetailed with our strategy to continue strengthening our management team, which is now composed of nine partners and directors, each responsible for specific areas of competence which form part of our offer.”

Anthony refers specifically to the fact that two of the firm’s directors, Ruth Farrugia and Ramon Cutajar, were recently co-opted as international Forvis Mazars CARL partners. Rooted in a Belgian legal term for Cooperative à Responsabilité Limité (CARL), CARL partners are equity partners of Forvis Mazars globally, tasked with defining the strategic objectives of the Forvis Mazars network and coordinating their implementation at member entity level.

Forvis Mazars headquarters in Paris 

Ruth Farrugia currently occupies the role of Tax Director at Forvis Mazars in Malta. After having served as a trainee, Ruth joined the firm in 2005, as a senior auditor working on the statutory audits of companies involved in gaming, insurance, manufacturing and retailing sectors, as well as government entities. In 2006, she joined the firm’s Tax Department, assisting clients with their statutory fiscal requirements. In 2011, she was appointed as manager responsible for leading a team of people providing both tax compliance and advisory services. 

As Tax Director since 2019, Ruth is currently entrusted with the leadership of the firm’s Tax service line, managing a team of dedicated professionals providing a wide range of tax advisory and compliance services to the firm’s local and international clients. 

Tax Director Ruth Farrugia 

Amongst others, her specialisation includes the reviewing of structures with a view to optimising the clients’ tax exposure, the structuring of transactions during mergers and acquisitions, and due diligence. She also has extensive experience in providing fiscal advice to family businesses in planning for the next generation.

Ramon Cutajar occupies the role of IT Director within the Advisory Department of Forvis Mazars in Malta. Ramon embarked on his professional path in 1999, thereafter navigating a multifaceted career within the hospitality industry, undertaking roles spanning from cost control to financial management.

Having joined in the firm in 2009, Ramon helps businesses navigate the ever-evolving threat landscape through a comprehensive suite of services. This includes the preparation of SWIFT Attestations, ensuring compliance with financial messaging regulations; the compilation of Cyber Security Audits and Assessments, primarily by conducting in-depth analysis of  the organisations’ security posture;providing ISO 27001 Certification Assistance, with Ramon and his team  guiding companies towards achieving this internationally recognized information security standard; and undertaking tailored System and Compliance Audits to meet specific industry regulatory requirements.

IT Director Ramon Cutajar

Additionally, Ramon and his team offer specialised Cyber Governance Risk and Compliance services. These encompass support in relation to DORA regulations,  by assisting businesses in complying with the upcoming Digital Operational Resilience Act; IT Risk Assessments, which include the evaluation of potential vulnerabilities within an organization's IT infrastructure; the provision of dedicated Cyber Security Officers to oversee and manage an organisation's cybersecurity strategy; as well as Cyber Training Programmes designed to equip employees with the knowledge and skills to identify and mitigate cyber threats. Ramon’s unit also specialises in guiding companies in implementing effective frameworks to manage ICT risks. .

Finally, Ramon's expertise extends to Technical Cyber Security solutions. These  include  Vulnerability Assessments, which help clients identify security weaknesses within systems and applications; Penetration Testing, which involve simulating cyberattacks to assess an organisation's ability to resist them; as well as Web Application, Network, and API Testing, by means of which Ramon and his team provide a comprehensive view of an organisation's overall security posture.

Anthony explains that Ramon and his team “are geared towards assisting Forvis Mazars in Malta’s clients in strengthening their defenses and creating proactive information security awareness in their organisation.”

Anthony commented that Forvis Mazars’ global co-opting of Ruth Farrugia and Ramon Cutajar as CARL Partners “is a recognition of how both Ruth and Ramon have proved themselves to be tremendous assets to the firm. Their international appointments reflect the confidence that Forvis Mazars has in their professional competence, and their ability to continue adding value to the delivery of our customised solutions, combining both local market knowledge and global technical advice. Investing in our people remains a strategic priority in our bid to consolidate our position as one of the leading audit, tax and advisory firms on the local market.”