International Accounting Bulletin Names Dezan Shira Network Second Largest

Global billing hits US$2.6 billion in 2011

The Leading Edge Alliance (LEA Global), of which Dezan Shira & Associates are China and India members, has been ranked by International Accounting Bulletin as the second largest international association of independent accounting firms for 2012.

LEA Global is an international alliance of independently owned accounting and consulting firms. Established in 1999, The LEA has more than 180 member firms worldwide with collective annual revenues of US$2.6 billion. There are approximately 100 countries represented in the association.

“By utilizing technology, developing innovative special interest groups, and connecting internationally to the knowledge of our member firms, LEA Global members are able to compete on a substantial scale, throughout the country and across the globe,” stated Michael Davis, current LEA Chairman and managing partner at HW Fisher & Company in London. “LEA provides the resources that support their consistent growth and, subsequently, its own. The combined knowledge of the many top firms in LEA is shared across all firms, and contributes to the continuing success of each

“When the idea for LEA was conceived, the plan was to introduce an independent association that helped firms compete with the Big Four. The competitive landscape changed since our inception in 1999 as other large national and regional firms emerged. Yet the continued growth of the Alliance is a testament to the independent successes of member firms and their ability to understand and proactively deal with new challenges. The appeal of an accomplished association that consistently meets the needs of its membership is indisputable,” said Gary Shamis, LEA chair emeritus and managing partner of SS&G Financial Services. “Accounting has come out of the dark ages. The most successful firms operate as strategic businesses, and this view extends to its client base, centers of influence and the alliance it belongs to. Over the past 12 years, LEA’s success has proven that the attention and support it provides to its members, including their overall operations special interest groups, has been a major factor in the success of its member firms.”

“We are very pleased with these results,” comments Chris Devonshire-Ellis, principal of Dezan Shira & Associates. “Our LEA membership provides us with a strong international platform for client assistance and we look forward to our continuing expansion through the auspices of the LEA network.”

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