Grant Thornton International announces new Spanish member firm

Grant Thornton International, the rapidly expanding international accounting organisation, has today announced that it has finalised terms for Audihispana to be its new member firm in Spain. This development is part of a programme of strengthening the service offerings by the international network's member firms to both privately held and public interest organisations.

Formerly RSM Audihispana, the firm was established in 1984. Unlike many other mid tier firms in Spain, Audihispana operates as a single unified national partnership with ten offices throughout the country, from Bilbao in the north to Cádiz in the south, the largest two being Barcelona and Madrid. Audihispana will provide a suite of services including assurance, tax, legal and specialist advisory services.

David McDonnell, chief executive officer of Grant Thornton International commented: "Following the strong growth of the network in 2006, the inclusion of Audihispana as a Grant Thornton member firm is a fitting way to mark the start of another year of growth and investment in the people and infrastructure of Grant Thornton International. Audihispana is a leader in the Spanish market providing services to both privately held and public interest entities. Their outlook and strategy fits particularly well with the member firms in the Grant Thornton International network and they are a very welcome and valuable addition."

José M. Fernandez, managing partner of Audihispana commented: "Joining Grant Thornton International provides us with access to the resources of an outstanding network of firms in over 110 countries. We look forward to working with these firms. We are already privileged to work with a number of major national and international organisations. Working as part of Grant Thornton International will bring further opportunities to serve a wider range of clients both at home and abroad."

The partners and staff of the Madrid member firm that were part of the previous Grant Thornton member joined Audihispana in September 2006 and are therefore continuing in the network.

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About Grant Thornton International
Grant Thornton International is an international membership organisation, with each member firm independently owned and operated. Services are delivered nationally by the member and correspondent firms of Grant Thornton International, a network of independent firms throughout the world. Grant Thornton International is a non-practising international umbrella organisation and does not deliver services in its own name or otherwise. Each member and correspondent firm in Grant Thornton International is a separate national firm. These firms are not members of one international partnership or otherwise legal partners with each other (with the exception of certain limited instances), nor is any one firm responsible for the services or activities of any other. Each firm governs itself and handles its administrative matters on a local basis. Although many of the firms now carry the Grant Thornton name, either exclusively or in their national practice names, there is no common ownership among the firms or by Grant Thornton International (with the exception of certain limited instances).