HLS Global

What HLS Global does

HLS Global is an international accounting, tax, audit, and business advisory firm operating under the legal entity Hotta Liesenberg Saito LLP, headquartered in Torrance, California, and founded in 1990. The firm delivers cross-border professional services to Japanese companies expanding internationally and to multinational corporations with operations spanning the U.S., Japan, Mexico, India, Germany, the UAE, and Singapore. Core service lines include full-scope accounting and audit, international tax compliance and advisory, transfer pricing documentation and policy development, U.S. and global market entry support, M&A advisory and post-merger integration, ESG advisory, fractional CFO services, and financial digital transformation consulting.

The firm generates revenue entirely through professional services engagements billed to corporate clients on a quote-based, scope-driven model. It maintains a direct enterprise go-to-market, supported by content marketing (blog, monthly newsletter, LinkedIn), international tax seminars, and downloadable resource brochures. Distribution is anchored by its own offices in the U.S. (Torrance, CA), Japan (Tokyo), Mexico (Mexico City), India, Germany (Stuttgart via HLS HWS Europe GmbH JV with HWS GmbH & Co. KG), the UAE (Dubai), and Singapore, supplemented by the ASTHOM PARTNERS joint venture with AGS Consulting that extends ASEAN coverage. The firm employs more than 150 professionals globally and is privately held, with no external venture capital, private equity investment, or public listing referenced in available materials.

Name

HLS Global

Legal name

Hotta Liesenberg Saito LLP

Website

https://hls-global.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1990

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

HLS Global is a private international accounting, tax, audit, and business advisory firm (Hotta Liesenberg Saito LLP) serving Japanese companies expanding globally and multinational corporations across the U.S., Japan, Mexico, India, Germany, UAE, and Singapore.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

International Accounting and Tax Advisory

SIC

Services-Management Services (8741)

akta.pro primary industry

Transfer Pricing & International Tax Services (BPAHABAI)

Keywords

• International tax services
• Cross-border accounting
• Transfer pricing advisory
• Audit and assurance
• U.S. market entry

Headquarters

HQ city

Torrance

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Accounting & Audit Services: Full-range attestation services including audits, reviews, compiled financial statements, bookkeeping, and monthly/quarterly financial statement preparation. Revenue generated through professional service engagements billed to corporate clients.
2. Tax Services: Federal, state, and local tax compliance and advisory services for companies with cross-border operations between the U.S., Japan, Mexico, India, Germany, UAE, and Singapore. Revenue from tax advisory and compliance engagements.
3. Transfer Pricing: Transfer pricing documentation, analysis, policy development, and APA support across U.S., Japan, Mexico, India, Germany, UAE, and Singapore. Revenue from consulting engagements on intercompany pricing.
4. Business Advisory & Consulting: Management advisory, M&A transaction advisory, post-merger integration, feasibility studies, ESG advisory, CFO services, and financial digital transformation consulting.
5. U.S. Market Entry Services: Comprehensive support for Japanese and multinational companies entering the U.S. market, including business setup, regulatory compliance, and operational support across six U.S. regions.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

HLS Global (Hotta Liesenberg Saito LLP) is an international accounting, tax, audit, and business advisory firm serving Japanese companies expanding globally and multinational corporations. The firm delivers accounting and audit, international tax, transfer pricing, advisory, U.S. market entry, M&A transaction advisory, ESG advisory, CFO services, and financial digital transformation through its network of offices in the U.S., Japan, Mexico, India, Germany, UAE, and Singapore.

Product overview

HLS Global is a professional services firm (Hotta Liesenberg Saito LLP) providing a comprehensive suite of accounting, taxation, audit, and business advisory services. The firm operates as a unified service offering rather than a platform-plus-modules architecture, with core service areas including Accounting & Audit, International Tax Services, Transfer Pricing, Advisory/Consultant Services, and U.S. Market Entry support. Additional specialized services include M&A Advisory, ESG Advisory, CFO Services, and Financial Digital Transformation. The firm maintains global offices across the U.S., Japan, Mexico, India, Germany, UAE, and Singapore to serve Japanese companies expanding internationally.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ASTHOM PARTNERS: Joint venture brand providing intellectual property rights acquisition, management and consulting services including trademarks, copyrights, and patents
• HLS HWS Europe GmbH

Products and services

• Accounting & Audit Complete end-to-end accounting solutions for businesses including bookkeeping, complex audit engagements, attestation services (audits and reviews), non-attest services such as compiled financial statements, contract and temporary bookkeeping services, and monthly or quarterly financial statement preparation.
• International Tax Services Comprehensive international tax services covering federal, state, and local tax issues for clients with cross-border operations in the U.S., Japan, Mexico, India, Germany, UAE, and Singapore. Experts collaborate across jurisdictions to deliver coordinated compliance and advisory.
• Transfer Pricing Transfer pricing documentation preparation, transfer pricing risk analysis, transfer pricing policy development, and Advance Pricing Agreement (APA) support across U.S., Japan, Mexico, India, Germany, UAE, and Singapore.
• Advisory/Consultant Services Business advisory services including needs assessment, strategic planning, and ongoing goal accomplishment support designed for long-term business partnerships with international clients.
• U.S. Market Entry Comprehensive support for Japanese and multinational companies entering the U.S. market, including tax, accounting, transfer pricing, business advisory, and operational setup services across major U.S. regions.
• M&A Transaction Advisory M&A advisory and post-merger integration support for companies entering the U.S. market, including due diligence research, tax risk examination, and PMI support.
• Feasibility Study Business feasibility assessment services supporting market entry and expansion decisions for companies operating in the GCC region.
• Business Setup Company formation and establishment services for new business operations in target markets.
• Labour & Employment Advisory Employment law and HR advisory services for businesses establishing or operating in foreign jurisdictions.
• AML/CFT Advisory Anti-Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism advisory services for businesses operating across borders.
• Family Business Advisory Advisory services tailored for family-owned and controlled businesses, addressing succession, governance, and cross-border structuring.
• Regulatory Compliances Regulatory compliance advisory and support services for businesses navigating multi-jurisdictional legal environments.
• ESG Advisory Environmental, Social, and Governance advisory services supporting sustainable business practices and reporting for cross-border clients.
• CFO Services Chief Financial Officer-level advisory and support services, providing fractional or interim CFO expertise for international operations.
• Financial Digital Transformation Digital transformation services for finance functions and processes, supporting modernization of accounting and reporting systems across international operations.

Quantifiable outcome

• Successfully transitioned a Japanese manufacturing and logistics client from U.S. GAAP to IFRS on schedule, completing quarterly reviews and annual audit under IFRS as originally planned.
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• AGS Consulting Co., Ltd.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 December 2022HLS and AGS Consulting established ASTHOM PARTNERS CO., LTD. (December 6, 2022), a joint venture headquartered in Tokyo. AGS has more than 500 professionals and consultants and 12 offices across major Asian markets (Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Philippines). The JV covers Japan, U.S., Mexico, India, Germany, and major ASEAN countries, positioning itself as an organic global network supporting Japanese companies' international expansion.
• HWS GmbH & Co. KGcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 July 2020HLS Global formed a strategic joint venture with HWS GmbH & Co. KG, a Stuttgart-based accounting and consulting firm with nearly 100 years of history and approximately 550 employees. The JV entity, HLS HWS Europe GmbH, was established in 2020 in Stuttgart, Germany. The partnership enables HLS Global to serve Japanese companies expanding into Europe, integrating HLS Global's Japan-market expertise with HWS's local German market knowledge, offering accounting, financial reporting, outsourcing, taxation, legal advice, and IT advisory.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• BDO Global: BDO Global is a top-tier international accounting and advisory network with a dedicated BDO Japan practice and cross-border services for Japanese companies. Most comparable to HLS Global in mid-tier positioning, multi-country footprint, and focus on serving Japanese outbound and inbound clients with audit, tax, and advisory services.
• RSM International: RSM is a global mid-tier accounting network with strong Japan presence and cross-border tax/audit offerings for mid-market international clients. Comparable to HLS Global in its mid-market focus, international footprint, and emphasis on serving growing companies with cross-border tax, audit, and advisory needs.
• Mazars: Mazars is an international audit, tax, and advisory firm with a global integrated partnership model and offices across multiple continents. Comparable to HLS Global's structure as an international partnership delivering integrated audit, tax, and advisory services to cross-border clients.
• Grant Thornton International: Grant Thornton is a global mid-tier accounting network serving mid-market companies with audit, tax, and advisory services across more than 130 countries. Comparable to HLS Global in mid-market focus, cross-border service delivery model, and serving internationally active companies with audit and tax compliance needs.
• Crowe Global: Crowe Global is an international accounting network with audit, tax, and advisory services for mid-market and international clients. Comparable to HLS Global in mid-tier positioning and cross-border service delivery for internationally active corporate clients.
• Baker Tilly International: Baker Tilly International is a global mid-tier accounting and advisory network serving mid-market companies with cross-border tax, audit, and consulting needs. Comparable to HLS Global in mid-market positioning, international footprint, and full-suite cross-border professional services.
• Moore Global: Moore Global is an international accounting and advisory network focused on mid-market companies with cross-border needs. Comparable to HLS Global in mid-tier international accounting positioning and cross-border service delivery to growing companies.
• Nexia International: Nexia International is a mid-tier global accounting network serving SMEs and mid-market companies with audit, tax, and advisory services worldwide. Comparable to HLS Global's mid-tier international accounting positioning and cross-border service model.

Broad incumbents

• KPMG Japan: KPMG Japan is part of the Big 4 with a large cross-border practice serving Japanese multinationals and inbound foreign investors. Overlaps with HLS Global on international tax, transfer pricing, audit, and Japan-related advisory work, but at much larger scale and broader service scope.
• Deloitte Japan: Deloitte Japan is the Japanese member firm of a Big 4 network with extensive cross-border tax, M&A advisory, audit, and consulting practices. Competes with HLS Global for Japanese multinational advisory mandates but at significantly larger scale and broader capabilities.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/HLS_Global
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hls-global

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Subsidiaries4 records

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 HLS Global