In the professional services world, few names hold the historical weight of Andersen Consulting. Once synonymous with top-tier consulting in the 1990s, the brand is making a bold return, driven by the vision of George Shaheen, its former CEO, and Andersen Global, a growing tax and legal services powerhouse. The relaunch could be as soon as next month.
The revival is the latest chapter for a name that has been dormant since 2000, when Andersen Consulting rebranded as Accenture after parting ways with its parent company, Arthur Andersen. Andersen Global, founded by Mark Vorsatz, a former Arthur Andersen tax partner, acquired the rights to the Andersen brand in 2014. While the company has primarily focused on tax and legal services, it’s now setting its sights on a broader consulting market.
Over the past six months, Andersen Global has strategically expanded its consulting arm, adding 20 member firms globally. These new additions include businesses with deep roots in the Andersen legacy, such as Verraki, an African IT solutions firm, and Daniels Consulting, founded by a former Arthur Andersen manager. This expansion is part of a deliberate effort to resurrect Andersen Consulting as a leader in the consulting space.
George Shaheen, who led Andersen Consulting from 1989 to 1999, has been instrumental in shaping the new vision. Under his guidance, the revived Andersen Consulting will focus on offering diverse services, from IT transformation to sustainability and cybersecurity. However, it plans to carve out a distinct identity by avoiding areas like outsourcing, a key focus for Accenture.
The new Andersen Consulting also benefits from being untethered to an audit business, eliminating the conflict-of-interest issues that plagued its predecessor. Shaheen sees this as a competitive edge, allowing the firm to be more aggressive in pursuing opportunities.
For professionals over 40, the Andersen name evokes memories of a golden era in consulting. Described as the “Coca-Cola of professional services,” its legacy still resonates. This revival aims not just to capitalize on that legacy but also to redefine it for a new era.
As Andersen Global explores the possibility of a U.S. IPO, the brand’s rebirth promises a compelling mix of history, innovation, and ambition. The question now is whether this storied name can reclaim its former glory in a rapidly evolving industry. Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: Andersen Consulting is back in the game.
