Andersen Open To Being Single In India

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Mumbai, March 25: : Arthur Andersen’s Indian practice is weighing the option of continuing its operations as a stand-alone entity. While it is currently engaged in talks with a number of other consulting firms for a possible merger of operations, Andersen India has kept open the idea of going it alone in the country.

However, he added there were substantial values in being affiliated to a network. “There are limitations in both being affiliated to a network or being a stand-alone. There is an integration issue in the case of a merger, which does not arise if we decide to go it alone. But then, we would not have access to technology, among other benefits, if we are not affiliated,” Mr Parikh pointed out.

“None of our employees have left us. And our clients are sticking to us,” Mr Parikh said, adding since a consulting business is all about people - which is the only asset considering the direct co-relation between revenues and people - Andersen would only gain by going it alone. However, in doing so, the stand-alone entity would not be entitled to the Andersen name. Andersen India has around 900 employees, some of whom are leading proponents in their respective practices.

On the ongoing talks, Mr Parikh said, “it is still very early. The process will gather momentum over the next several weeks.”

Besides KPMG, Andersen has been reported to be in talks with Ernst & Young and PricewaterhouseCoopers for a possible merger of its Indian operations. Mr Parikh also did not rule out talks with Accenture for a possible union. Andersen had recently split from its sister consulting firm Accenture.