KPMG Consulting To Change Name

KPMG Consulting, which split off from KPMG in 2000 and went public a year later, has the right to use the KPMG name until 2005, but has decided to adopt a new name much sooner.

"The time to do it is now," spokesman John Schneidawind told Reuters. "The sooner the better."

The scandal enveloping auditor Andersen over its treatment of Enron's books, which has brought the conduct of all accountants into the spotlight, was a factor in deciding to change the name, he said.

Unlike rival consultant Accenture,which changed its name after splitting from sister firm Andersen, KPMG will not hold a competition among employees for the new name.

The McLean, Virginia-based firm, with about 10,000 workers, is hiring a brand name consultant to come up with a new name.

The new name, as yet undecided, will be launched as soon as possible, Schneidawind said, after the firm has been through trade mark checks to make sure the name is original.

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