An announcement that the partners at accountancy firms Price Waterhouse and Coopers & Lybrand have voted in favour of merging is expected on Monday, writes Mary Canniffe. The outcome of the secret global ballot of the 8,500 partners of the firms will be announced at 9 a.m. New York time on Monday.

Industry sources say the merger, which would create the world's largest firm, was been approved by a strong majority. Price Waterhouse and Coopers & Lybrand in Ireland were not prepared to comment in advance of the official announcement.