Grant Thornton ready to follow in KPMG's footsteps

Grant Thornton International has given the strongest indication yet that it wants to follow the path laid down by KPMG and merge its member firms

Written by Barbara Buchanan

Accountancy Age, 10 Apr 2008

Asked about the prospect of member firms joining up, GTI chief executive David McConnell told Accountancy Age: 'I think it will happen. If you go to the medium-term, I do see our organisation consisting of fewer member firms.'

McConnell revealed that GTI has had 'discussions' about mergers, but that nothing will happen 'in the immediate future'.

The comments are the strongest indication of any firm following KPMG's lead.

In forging its KPMG Europe structure, the firm took the lead in global integration. Other firms have indicated they want to stand back and see how KPMG does.

GTI has 90 member firms around the world, with the US, UK, Canada and European countries forming the largest constituents.

GTI's relationship with its members has not been without its troubles in the past with the expulsion more than four years ago of its Italian member firm SpA following the Parmalat scandal.