US advisory McGladrey adopts RSM as brand name

US-based professional services firm McGladrey will later this year adopt RSM as its brand name. With the harmonisation, RSM International aims at building on the strengths of a unified global brand and strategy.

With nearly 8,000 professionals and associates in 80 cities across North America, McGladrey is one of the largest professional services firms in the US. The company traces its history to 1926, when Ira McGladrey started his own accounting firm in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. After decades of expansion and several mergers the firm has grown into a leading player in the US’ business landscape, serving both corporates as well as mid-market enterprises.

For years McGladrey has been part of the RSM International – the world’s seventh largest network of audit, tax and consulting firms – yet from 26 October onwards its autonomous branding strategy is set to be displaced. The firm has announced that it will drop its name to adopt RSM as a common brand name, in a move to “further strengthen the organisation’s position as the leading global provider of audit, tax and consulting services.” The change is part of RSM’s harmonisation strategy which it is rolling out across all its member firms.

Andy Bosman, chief marketing officer for McGladrey and chairman of RSM International’s global marketing and communications committee, explains the rationale: “The adoption of a common name and unified global brand will better enable current and potential clients of RSM International firms around the world to more clearly see the strength and broad reach of the global services offered and reinforce our commitment to delivering the power of being understood to middle market leaders worldwide.”

The name change will not have an impact on McGladrey’s business model or services, explains Bosman, stating “McGladrey is proud of our heritage, and we are staying true to our roots. Adopting the RSM name simply enables us to work most effectively in all countries around the world.”