29 Nov 2013

An accounting and audit firm, Grant Thornton on Tuesday, November 26 looked back over the years as it celebrated 25 years of providing first class audit services in Botswana.

Retracing the steps during a cocktail with their clients, Grant Thornton managing director Mr Jay Ramesh said following the establishment of the audit division which he headed, they forged a relationship with an international community to strengthen their capabilities.

He said in 1992, they changed their name to Grant Thornton Acumen and in 1995 they shifted to Andersen but reverted to Grant Thornton after realising the former’s audit methodology and training was more suitable to large economies.

In 1998, he said, Grant Thornton Acumen changed its name to Grant Thornton and is the leading cohesive global accounting network after the Big Four firms with 35 000 people in over 100 countries and is also the Winner of the Network of the year award for 2013 amongst all accounting firms.

Mr Ramesh said penetrating the audit market was a challenge especially from other firms.

“Fortunately in Botswana, thanks to all your support, we have grown to be among the Top Three firms in Botswana. Two if not three of the Big Four firms are smaller than us here - our guess, since they employ less people than us,” he said.

He said their first audit was Bamangwato Motors in Selebi Phikwe owned by Mr Sattar Dada and they were also appointed as auditors of Woolworths and Truworths by Mr Ish Handa. The first listed company to audit is Turnstar Holdings, he added.

“That was our first listed company audit leading the way for more listed company audits. We approached Bank of Botswana to accredit us as auditors for commercial banks,” he said adding th which continues to invest in its people especially Batswana professionals.

Grant Thornton International has set up a Leadership Institute which has benefited the local firm due to various customised training programmes, he said.

“We want to continue serving you with a positive difference,” he said to their customers. ENDS