MSI Global Alliance (formerly MSI Legal & Accounting Network Worldwide) was formed in 1990 in response to the growing need for cross-border cooperation between independent professional service firms.

Despite the exponential increase in international business transactions, it is impossible, impractical, not to mention costly, for professional advisors to be in 300 different locations around the world. 

Furthermore, there is no substitute for local knowledge when it comes to 'getting things done', whether it relates to the workings of the local court system or tax compliance requirements, particularly when this knowledge can be provided by professional advisors who, as members of MSI, share a common belief in providing responsive, personalised, flexible and value for money services, delivered in either English or the local language.

This is the essence of what MSI provides for entrepreneurial businesses and indepent professional firms around the world, and what differentiates MSI from the larger multi-office professional firms.

The best of both worlds
MSI has steadily grown to become a leading international alliance of law and accounting firms, with over 250 independent member firms in 100 countries throughout the Americas, Asia-Pacific and Europe, Middle East and Africa.  

MSI consistently achieves one of the strongest rates of growth among the international law and accounting firm associations, alliances and networks as a result of its:

* Ability to offer a membership that is evenly balanced between independent law and accounting firms and represented in an extensive number of countries
* Very high annual membership retention rate (98%)
* Member firms achieving strong organic growth across their practice groups year on year

An exclusive membership
On receipt of an application form from a prospective member firm, a number of enquiries are carried out in order to determine the firm's standing in its local marketplace.

These include consultations with existing members, peer review reports, Martindale-Hubbell and Legal 500 listings, formal consultations with existing members, a detailed application form and a due diligence process that investigates the firm's local reputation, registration with local regulatory bodies, and experience in servicing a diverse client base. Most importantly, all member firms are visited by a MSI representative prior to an invitation to join.

A commitment to quality
On joining MSI, every member firm is required to adhere to The MSI Charter which provides guidelines that ensure member firms and their clients continue to receive reliable and responsive services wherever in the world they require professional advice. A copy of The MSI Charter can be downloaded below.