Leading Edge Alliance Becomes the World’s Third Largest

Global 2008 revenues in excess of US$2 billion

Jan. 9 - The Leading Edge Alliance, the global network of international accounting and audit firms, has just been ranked as the third largest international association of independent accounting firms by the International Accounting Bulletin, the accounting industry research specialists.

The report showed a global growth rate for 2008 for the Leading Edge Alliance firms of 29 percent, while total annual revenues hit US$2.078 billion for the year. The number of LEA member firms increased to over 140 in 90 countries, with firms collectively possessing 430 offices, 1,433 partners, and over 10,000 staff.

The LEA is an international partnership of independently owned accounting and consulting firms. In the nine years since its inception, The LEA has more than 140 member firms worldwide with collective revenues exceeding 2 billion USD. There are more than 90 countries represented in the association.

“When the idea was conceived, the plan was to introduce an independent association to help firms compete with the Big Four. This year’s growth rate of 29 percent is a testament to the independent successes of member firms, their ability to compete, and the appeal of an accomplished association,” said Gary Shamis, Managing Partner SS&G Financial Services, Inc. & LEA Chair Emeritus. “It is also verification that the success and reputation of a business is largely dependent on its alliances, and accounting is no exception.”

“By utilizing technology, developing innovative special interest groups, and connecting internationally to the knowledge of our member firms, The Leading Edge Alliance members are able compete on a substantial scale, throughout the country and across the globe,” stated Michael Cain, Managing Partner Lattimore, Black, Morgan & Cain, P.C. & LEA Chair. “LEA provides the resources that support their consistent growth and, subsequently, its own.”

The full press release with details can be found here.

=================================================================