| George Syrimis Γιώργος Συρίμης | |
| Cypriot Minister of Finance | |
| Term Start: | 28 February 1988 |
| Term End: | 27 February 1993 |
| Predecessor: | Christos Mavrellis |
| Successor: | Fedros Economides |
| Birth Date: | 15 October 1921 |
| Birth Place: | Nicosia, Cyprus |
| Profession: | Accountant, politician |
George Syrimis (15 October 1921 - 5 January 2010) was a Cypriot accountant, who served as the Finance Minister of Cyprus from 1988 to 1993. Syrimis was also the founder of the accounting firm, G. Syrimis & Co., which eventually evolved into KPMG Cyprus (a Big Four).[1]
Syrimis was born in Nicosia, Cyprus. However, his family was originally from Agros, a village in the island's southern Pitsilia region. Syrimis studied accounting in England, where he became a chartered certified accountant. Then president George Vassiliou appointed Syrimis as the country's Finance Minister in 1988. He continued to serve as finance minister within the Vassiliou government until 1993.[2]
He returned to his native Cyprus from the UK in 1948. Syrimis founded his own accounting firm, G. Syrimis & Co. His firm later became part of Peat Marwick, which, in turn, was merged to become KPMG International in 1987. In 1961, Syrimis became a founding member of the Association of Certified Public Accountants of Cyprus (ICPAC), later serving as chair of the professional organization.[3]
Syrimis was heavily involved in Cypriot charities and philanthropic organizations. An art collector, he sold his pieces to benefit local organizations, including the Cypriot National Guard. He was a member of the Rotary Club of Nicosia, the oldest rotary club in Cyprus.[4]
Syrimis died on 5 January 2010, at the age of 88. He was survived by four children - Olympia Stylianou, the director general of the Cypriot Ministry of Education; Nicos Syrimis, the chairman of the Association of Certified Public Accounts of Cyprus since June 2009; Michalis Syrimis and Marios Syrimis.[5]