International membership creates opportunities for clients and employees
From 1 January 2011, the offices of accounting and wealth management firm WHK Horwath will be renamed Crowe Horwath to reflect its international network and the benefits this brings clients and employees.
The change of name is being undertaken on this date by all 141 members of the Crowe Horwath global network.
In Australia the renamed offices will remain a part of the ASX-listed WHK Group, the fifth largest accounting and advisory firm in Australia and New Zealand, dedicated to individuals and small to medium enterprises.
“An international network the size of Crowe Horwath’s allows us to recruit and retain talented employees, critical in servicing clients properly. We know the best staff want careers with a large, multi-service firm with international secondment opportunities and as a group we are now better placed to provide these opportunities,” said Mr Darren O’Brien, Chief Executive Officer of WHK Horwath’s Sydney office.
The name change reflects membership of the Crowe Horwath International network, ranked among the top 10 global accounting networks. Each firm in the network operates independently while the global network provides extensive training, knowledge-sharing opportunities and improved career opportunities for staff.
“While first and foremost our clients want local expertise and relationships they can trust, they are increasingly operating in a global marketplace where cost-effective cross-border expertise is important,” said Mr O’Brien.
“This brand integration means we can continue to focus on local SMEs while offering a global network of advisors, cementing our place as the dominant professional services firm in this sector,” he said.
The decision to adopt the Crowe Horwath title in 2011 also reflects the firms positioning as a larger accounting services and wealth management firm offering SMEs specialised teams for audit, tax, corporate advisory and private clients advice on personal taxation and wealth management.
“Adopting the Crowe Horwath name reflects our strong growth in recent years as a firm assisting clients with a sophisticated range of needs. This change will clearly align us with the Crowe Horwath International network but will not impact our clients’ relationship with us, the fees they pay or our focus on meeting the needs of individuals and small- to medium-sized business clients,” he said.
“We are excited about the opportunities in 2011 and beyond for the firm. Being a member of the global network also opens up opportunities for client referrals between overseas affiliates, positioning us for further growth,” Mr O’Brien concluded.