HLB International

What HLB International does

HLB International is a global network of independent advisory and accounting firms, founded in 1969 and coordinated by HLB International Limited, an English company limited by guarantee headquartered in London. The network ranks among the top 8-9 global professional services networks by scale, bringing together approximately 58,538 professionals across 155 countries and generating US$6.67 billion in combined global revenue in FY2025, representing 12% year-over-year growth. HLB International Limited itself does not deliver professional services to end clients; instead, member firms pay recurring membership fees for access to the global brand, cross-border referral pipelines, collaboration tools, and the Centres of Excellence capability-matching platform.

The network's service portfolio spans Advisory (Capital Markets, Cybersecurity, Forensic, ESG, Transaction Advisory, Turnaround/Restructuring), Audit & Assurance (IFRS, Financial Audit, Risk Assurance), Tax (Global Mobility, Indirect Tax, Private Client, Transfer Pricing), Global Accounting & Compliance, and Technology Advisory. Sub-brands extend the offering: HLB Advex Alliance covers alternative advisory and CPA services, HLB Digital addresses technology advisory, and Global China Services supports cross-border investment flows between China and international markets. Technology infrastructure includes state-of-the-art online collaboration tools for referral and project management, an AI chatbot called HLB InsightsAI that provides conversational access to the Survey of Business Leaders dataset, and a recently announced partnership with Platformed to bring AI-augmented IT audit automation to member firms.

HLB's go-to-market operates exclusively through its member firm network: clients access HLB services by engaging with a local member firm, which can then pull in cross-border expertise from other members. The network invests in thought leadership (annual Survey of Business Leaders, Neurodiversity Report, Women Advancement Report), runs a calendar of Global Summits, regional conferences, and an Innovation Symposium, and is represented on the Forum of Firms Transnational Auditors Committee. Member firms must meet strict quality and membership criteria, and the network leverages inter-firm referrals and the Centres of Excellence platform to match capabilities across borders for client engagements.

Name

HLB International

Legal name

HLB International Limited

Website

https://hlb.global

Company type

Private

Founded year

1969

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

HLB International is a London-headquartered global network of independent advisory and accounting firms coordinating 58,538 professionals across 155 countries, delivering audit, tax, advisory, and technology services to mid-market and multinational clients through local member firms.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Network Membership Fees: Member firms pay fees to join and maintain membership in the HLB network, gaining access to the global brand, referral systems, knowledge sharing platforms, and collaboration tools. HLB International Limited coordinates network activities but does not provide professional services directly to clients.
2. Professional Services Delivery: Professional services (audit, tax, advisory, accounting) are delivered by member firms who operate independently. Revenue flows to individual member firms rather than the network headquarters.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

HLB International coordinates a global network of independent advisory and accounting firms that deliver professional services across 155 countries, including audit and assurance, tax, advisory, global accounting and compliance, and technology advisory services. The umbrella organisation HLB International Limited runs the network — collecting membership fees, managing cross-border referrals, providing online collaboration tools, and conducting thought leadership such as the HLB Survey of Business Leaders. Client services are delivered locally by member firms, with the network enabling seamless multi-jurisdiction work through capability matching, joint proposals, and shared technical expertise.

Product overview

HLB International is a global network of independent advisory and accounting firms offering a comprehensive portfolio of professional services. The network operates through its main brand and sub-brands including HLB Advex Alliance for alternative advisory services. Core service offerings include Advisory (Capital Markets, Cybersecurity, Forensic, Data Analytics, ESG, Transaction, Turnaround), Audit & Assurance (IFRS, Financial Audit, Risk Assurance), Tax (Global Mobility, Indirect Tax, Private Client, Transfer Pricing), Global Accounting & Compliance, and Technology Advisory Services (Big Data, Digital Transformation, Cybersecurity). The network provides specialized offerings through Global China Services and ESG Advisory. Research publications including the annual Survey of Business Leaders, Neurodiversity Report, and Women Advancement Report support thought leadership. Technology-enabled tools like HLB InsightsAI (AI chatbot for survey data) enhance service delivery. Collaboration tools facilitate inter-firm referrals and project management across the global network.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• HLB Advex Alliance: Comprises independently owned professional services firms providing alternative advisory and CPA services, complementing HLB member firm capabilities.
• HLB Digital

Products and services

• Advisory Services A comprehensive advisory service line covering Capital Market Advisory, Cybersecurity, Forensic and Investigation, Data Analytics and Business Intelligence, ESG Advisory, International Development Assistance, Transaction Advisory, and Turnaround/Restructuring/Insolvency. Delivered through independent HLB member firms to organisations with cross-border and transformation needs.
• Audit & Assurance Services Professional audit and assurance services including IFRS services, Financial Audit, and Risk Assurance for organisations across industries. Delivered by HLB member firms with Forum of Firms-aligned transnational audit quality standards.
• Tax Services Global tax expertise covering Global Mobility/Expatriate Tax, Indirect Tax, Private Client services, Transfer Pricing, and international tax planning for inbound and outbound businesses. Delivered by HLB member firms across 155 countries.
• Global Accounting & Compliance Services Comprehensive accounting and compliance services helping international clients with accounting, tax reporting, and social compliance across multiple jurisdictions, delivered through HLB member firms.
• Technology Advisory Services Expert services helping businesses improve operations through smart technology and digital solutions, including big data & analytics, digital operational solutions, CIO management consulting, digital transformation advisory, and cybersecurity services. Delivered through HLB Digital and member firms.
• Transaction Advisory Services M&A advisory, financial due diligence, quality of earnings analysis, working capital analysis, EBITDA analysis, deal structuring, and support for transactions ranging from US$20 million to US$1.2 billion.
• Global China Services Award-winning specialised services supporting Chinese investment into global markets and international businesses entering China, including IPO services and cross-border business development.
• ESG Advisory Services Environmental, Social, and Governance advisory services helping organisations integrate sustainability into strategic decision-making, including ESG reporting, intelligence, and assurance.
• HLB InsightsAI AI chatbot that provides conversational access to the Survey of Business Leaders data, enabling users to query and explore insights from seven years of research through natural language interaction.
• HLB Advex Alliance A brand comprising independently owned professional services firms providing alternative advisory and CPA services, complementing HLB member firm capabilities to better serve international clients.

Quantifiable outcome

• 12% global revenue growth reaching US$6.67 billion in FY2025
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability3 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• PlatformedcoreTechnology or Integration · 24 November 2025HLB announced a strategic partnership with Platformed to automate IT audits with AI. This partnership enables HLB member firms to offer automated IT audit services leveraging Platformed's AI technology, enhancing the network's technology advisory capabilities.
• Forum of Firms (IFAC)coreOthersHLB is a member of the Forum of Firms, an organization under IFAC that promotes consistent and high-quality standards of financial reporting and auditing practices worldwide. HLB is represented on the Transnational Auditors Committee (TAC), the executive arm of the Forum.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Deloitte: Deloitte is the largest professional services network globally, providing audit, tax, consulting, and advisory services. It overlaps with HLB in audit and cross-border advisory but addresses a much larger enterprise client base with significantly greater scale.
• EY (Ernst & Young): EY is a Big 4 professional services network offering audit, tax, consulting, and advisory services globally. Several HLB senior leaders (e.g., CFO Stephanie Rix from EY People Consulting) come from EY, indicating direct competitive overlap in talent and client mandates.
• KPMG: KPMG is one of the Big 4 professional services networks offering audit, tax, and advisory services globally. While far larger than HLB, KPMG competes for many of the same cross-border advisory mandates and represents the upper bound of the network competitive landscape.
• PwC: PwC is a Big 4 professional services network with global audit, tax, and advisory offerings. It competes with HLB for multinational and cross-border clients and represents a benchmark for the upper tier of the professional services network market.

Direct peers

• BDO International: BDO is a top-5 global network of independent accounting and advisory firms with a federated model similar to HLB. Both target mid-market and growth-stage clients with audit, tax, and advisory services across more than 160 countries, making BDO a close structural and competitive peer.
• Baker Tilly International: Baker Tilly is a top-10 global network of independent advisory and accounting firms with a mid-market focus. Its federated member-firm model and service mix (audit, tax, advisory) directly mirror HLB's structure and target market.
• RSM International: RSM is the most direct peer to HLB: a global network of independent audit, tax, and advisory firms ranked 6th globally with combined revenue comparable to HLB's $6.67B. Both networks target mid-market companies with cross-border needs via a federated member-firm model.
• Crowe Global: Crowe Global is an international network of independent accounting and advisory firms with similar mid-market positioning to HLB. Both networks compete for cross-border engagements and operate federated member-firm structures.
• Moore Global: Moore Global is a smaller international network of independent accounting and advisory firms, comparable to HLB in its federated model and mid-market focus, though with smaller combined revenue and footprint.
• Grant Thornton International: Grant Thornton is a global network of independent member firms providing audit, tax, and advisory services. Its mid-market positioning, federated structure, and global footprint closely parallel HLB's go-to-market and target client profile.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/hlbi
• Facebookfacebook.com/HLBInternational
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/newmarket-grand-west

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about HLB International