Grant Thornton's Reputation Boost Signals Continued Advisory Focus

Event summary

  • Grant Thornton has been recognized by USA Today as one of America’s Most Recommended Tax and Accounting Firms for 2026.
  • The ranking is based on surveys of tax and accounting professionals and clients who have used professional services in the last three years, conducted in collaboration with Statista.
  • Mark Margulies, U.S. head of Tax Services, highlighted the increasing complexity of tax regulations and the need for data-driven insights.
  • Ron Messenger, CEO of Grant Thornton LLP, emphasized the endorsement from clients and peers as validation of the firm’s quality and integrity.
  • Grant Thornton operates through two entities: Grant Thornton LLP (audit & assurance) and Grant Thornton Advisors LLC (tax & advisory).

The big picture

This recognition underscores the growing importance of advisory services within the accounting and tax space, as businesses grapple with increasingly complex regulatory environments. Grant Thornton's dual-entity structure, separating audit and advisory functions, allows for specialized expertise and potentially mitigates conflicts of interest. The firm's global platform, with nearly 24,000 professionals, positions it to serve multinational clients navigating cross-border tax and regulatory challenges.

What we're watching

Client Retention
The 'most recommended' designation will be a key indicator of client retention and loyalty, particularly as Grant Thornton competes for talent and market share in a consolidating professional services landscape.
Advisory Growth
Given the emphasis on tax and advisory services, Grant Thornton will likely prioritize expanding these offerings, potentially through acquisitions or strategic partnerships, to capitalize on the trend of increasing regulatory complexity.
Statista Methodology
The methodology used by Statista and USA Today will be scrutinized to understand the weighting of different factors and assess the long-term sustainability of Grant Thornton’s position on the list.

Related topics

Financial Services Rankings