Next step: Ebner Stolz joins the international network RSM

Ebner Stolz is taking a big step forward and is now finally entering the international arena. Why was this step necessary?

Christian Fuchs: Ebner Stolz has grown continuously over the years - even and especially in difficult times - and has been able to further expand all four service areas. In doing so, we have always oriented ourselves to the needs of our clients - and have accordingly developed further in line with demand in all disciplines from auditing to tax, legal and management consulting. For example, we have currently expanded our range of services in the areas of sustainability, internal auditing and digitization. However, internationalization is off particular importance for our further development. Here, too, we want to take the next step - towards an internationally positioned, high-performance and reliable network.

Ebner Stolz was previously part of Nexia International. Why was it now necessary to look for a new network?

Christian Fuchs: As I said, we have grown continuously over the years and, according to the so called Lünendonk ranking, we are currently the top 6 audit and consulting firm in Germany - trend upward. Now it was time to align ourselves with the strategic requirements of our clients for a more integrated network and uniform quality standards. This alignment was not possible with our previous partner Nexia International. Additional, some important network partners, especially in the USA and UK, unfortunately left the network. Thus, we had to look for alternatives.

Ebner Stolz will now be part of the RSM network from October 2023. Why RSM?

Christian Fuchs: We took a close look at the international networks and came up that the DNA of Ebner Stolz and RSM is almost identical. Just like us, RSM has the claim to be the leading provider in the midmarket - that is completely congruent with our corporate philosophy.

We are No. 6 in the German market - RSM also occupies this position in the international rankings worldwide. The network’s growth has been similarly successful to ours. In addition, important national subsidiaries are located in countries that are important for us, for example the USA, UK, Australia and China.

Does RSM offer the same service portfolio worldwide as Ebner Stolz?

Jean Stephens: Ebner Stolz and RSM are both known for providing a wide mix of high-quality assurance, tax and consulting services. In order to be a Member of RSM, a Firm is required to have strength across these core service areas, and for those Firms that operate in larger economies such as Germany, this includes a number of specialist services such as risk advisory, international tax, financial due diligence, restructuring and legal services. As is natural in global professional services networks, different firms and teams around the world bring different strengths. While Ebner Stolz brings a wealth of knowledge and capabilities to RSM across its service portfolio, in particular, its legal consulting services will be a key addition to the RSM network. RSM Member Firms currently provide legal services in 36 countries, and the intention is for RSM to learn from and use the success and insight of Ebner Stolz in this area to further expand its legal consulting offering internationally.

What role will Ebner Stolz play within the RSM network in the future?

Jean Stephens: The addition of Ebner Stolz to RSM will significantly expand the Network’s position in the German market - in size, sophistication and expertise – including through offering a much deeper and broader range of consulting services. Due to the importance of the German market as global economic centre, and with Ebner Stolz being one of the largest Firms in the RSM Network, Ebner Stolz will undoubtably have an important role to play in the development and ongoing success of the global organisation – whether this be through referring or participating in global client work, or in leading or supporting critical global initiatives aligned with RSM’s 2030 Global Strategy. RSM will be working with Ebner Stolz leaders to ensure the Firm’s integration and participation throughout RSM’s global leadership teams, including RSM’s global service Centres of Excellence and RSM’s many operationally focused leadership teams across marketing, HR, ESG and more. Ebner Stolz will also have a position on the RSM International Board, helping to oversee the Network’s global governance and strategic development and implementation.

What added value will there be for clients and employees as a result of joining?

Christian Fuchs: In the future, we will be able to offer our clients a network of consulting companies at 860 locations in more than 120 countries around the world, operating under a uniform brand and with the same quality standards. We are maintaining our consistent focus on small and medium-sized enterprises and will be able to draw on globally uniform systems and standards. Our clients will benefit from the experience of excellent auditors and consultants worldwide.

We will also take a significant step forward in expanding our international network of lawyers with RSM and will be able to continue our successful work in providing holistic services to our clients.

The focus of RSM Global Strategy 2030 is - as is our focus - on the employees. Together, we can offer our employees extensive development opportunities, for example through deployment on international project assignments and through secondments.

For clients, you emphasize the added value of better international support. Does the cooperation affect clients who operate exclusively on a national level?

Christian Fuchs: No. Of course, nothing will change for our clients who do not require an international network. Neither our corporate philosophy nor our freelance approach will change: we are and will remain closer to medium-sized businesses.

The only exception that makes us a little melancholic: In the long term, we will say goodbye to the Ebner Stolz brand by developing our brand into RSM Ebner Stolz and at least appearing uniformly under the RSM brand. However, we do not see this as an abandonment of our brand, but rather as a further development and continuation of our partnership on the international stage.