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
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.