Grant Thornton celebrates 2013 “Network firm of the Year” accolade

Fantastic growth of Grant Thornton leaves judging panel with only one possible winner.

In line with Grant Thornton’s global growth strategy to double revenues worldwide by 2015, Grant Thornton International has been awarded the 2013 'Network of the year’ award by The International Accounting Bulletin (IAB).

Judged by an independent panel of accounting experts, the accolade was presented at the IAB’s gala dinner on 14 March 2013 held in London. The IAB is a leading global accounting industry organisation which regularly analyses performance and best practices in assurance and accounting services.

“I am proud of this award, but all credit goes to over 35,000 Grant Thornton people in more than 120 countries for their commitment and hard work in providing high quality services to our clients and in helping to unlock their potential for growth,” said Ed Nusbaum, Grant Thornton International global CEO. “Having achieved a double-digit growth rate, led the six largest accounting organisations in annual growth and embarked on a new global advertising campaign – our ambitions are clear and the results speak for themselves.”

2012 saw Grant Thornton grow faster (10.4%) than the other largest global accounting networks as the firm provided leading counsel on critical global accounting issues such as lease accounting, revenue recognition, EU auditor reform, corporate governance and improving the auditor’s report.

"Grant Thornton has a strong reputation in South Africa for helping dynamic businesses and this award demonstrates our consistent and high level of expertise across key areas such as evidence of client satisfaction and strategic positioning," says Deepak Nagar, national chairman of Grant Thornton SA. “The South African firm is committed to fast and strategic growth with like-minded organisations and individuals and we look forward to continued success aligned to meet our ambitious targets by 2015.”

The International Accounting Bulletin Awards are designed to celebrate accounting achievements over the past year by emphasising the individuals and businesses that have moved the industry forward. To win the ‘Network of the Year’ award, firms had to demonstrate strength across a number of key areas which included evidence of top-level network-wide audit quality, a strengthened position in strategically important markets and a strong industry leadership.

Deepak Nagar added that the award would serve to increase awareness among larger corporations that superior audit quality is available from a wider range of professional services firms.

“Now that we’ve achieved this ‘Network of the Year’ accolade, I would hope our assurance skills, broad reach, experience and reputation will see companies considering our firm when next appointing or rotating from their current audit firms,” Nagar adds. 

The independent judging panel for 2013 included Sir David Tweedie, Sue Almond of ACCA, Jane Howard of Wragge & Co, as well as the editorial team of the International Accounting Bulletin.

Group Editor for Asset Finance and Accounting Fred Crawley said “This year’s awards attracted more than 100 nominations from all parts of the world and we are delighted at the strength of applicants and the support these industry awards have received globally.”