Horwath International changes its name to Crowe Horwath International

KOLKATA: New York-based Horwath International, one of 10 largest global networks of independent accounting and advisory services firms, which is expanding its presence in India, has changed its name to Crowe Horwath International as part of its global branding strategy.

The global entity is represented locally by Mumbai-based VP Thacker & Co. and Kolkata-based Singhi & Co, two of the leading audit and assurance firms in the country. The new network name combines the Horwath brand with that of Crowe Horwath LLP, which is the network s largest member in the US.

The Crowe Horwath International network consists of more than 140 independent accounting and advisory services firms, 560 offices and 26,250 partners and staff in more than 100 countries. Announcing the rebranding exercise, the firm s chief executive officer Frank B Arford said: The combination of the Crowe brand in the US with the strength of the Horwath brand
internationally is our first step in building a single global brand to serve a global market.

Responding to ET s query via email, Mr Arford said from New York: The name change is effective as of April 2. Our efforts to develop a global brand, however, will continue for several years. Crowe Horwath International s combined network fee for the year ending December 2008 was more than $3 billion.

Regarding the India operations, Mr Arford said: Our global member firms see India as a country that is emerging as a significant economic player in our globalising business world. Both our members in India currently operate together as Horwath India and are actively working to build the market presence of Horwath in India Mr Arford said.

The MNC s association with Singhi & Co began only last year. With the two partners in their fold, the firm has gained access to eight key cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore, Ahmedabad, Guwahati and Jamshedpur. Crowe Horwath International s liaison partner for Singhi & Co, Nikhil Singhi said: The renaming exercise will take us forward in the form of global branding and correspondingly the way we present ourselves to the business community. This is a significant development in the accounting sphere worldwide, outside the Big 4."

Mr Singhi went on saying: The Indian firms of Crowe Horwath International will also work on a strategy to develop this single brand in India.