The 15th largest US firm, Virchow Krause, has voted to adopt the Baker Tilly LLP brand.

The 77-year-old firm is in discussions with the international group to change its name and to become the flagship firm in the US, for which it is also seeking the approval of state regulators in four midwestern states.

However the firm said it would not be merging with the UK member firm or any of the independent firms in the network. It also insisted it was not being acquired by the international firm, and will therefore will maintain independent status, without taking on management responsibilities within the network on account of the rebrand.

Virchow Krause chairman Craig Nelson said the move would not affect other US Baker Tilly firms.

'All of the firms will remain independent member firms, no different than they are today. They would have the ability to use the brand name the same way they already are,' he said.

Baker Tilly's UK national managing partner, Laurence Longe, said he was delighted with the news as it demonstrated the growing international recognition of the Baker Tilly brand.

'Even though the international network has only been operating under the Baker Tilly name for six years, it has enjoyed great success and rapid growth. Today the network consists of 144 high quality, independent accounting and business services firms in 108 countries, with more than 24,000 staff and combined revenues of $2.7bn.

'The emergence of Baker Tilly LLP in the USA will support Baker Tilly’s UK strategy of providing quality audit and business advice at a regional, national and international level given the increasingly globalised nature of business at so many levels of the market,' said Longe.