Abacus and Horady: Turning complexity into opportunity

Earlier this month, Abacus Worldwide added Bolivian firm Horady to its association. Joe Pickard hears from Abacus COO Jessica Levin to learn why Bolivia is an important market for the association, and the process of onboarding a new firm

The Accountant: Why was it important for Abacus to have representation in Bolivia?

Jessica Levin: Abacus is built on the belief that global business works best through trusted relationships. Representation in Bolivia is therefore not simply about adding another country to our map; it gives members a dependable local colleague they can call when a client needs support in that market.

Bolivia is an important and evolving market with business ties across Latin America and beyond. Horady brings the local knowledge, cultural understanding and practical guidance that cannot be replicated from a distance, while gaining access to trusted accounting, legal and advisory colleagues around the world.

That is how the Abacus model creates value: each strong member expands the knowledge, relationships and opportunities available to the entire association, helping all of us make cross-border business simpler for our clients.

TA: What made Horady a good fit for the association?

JL: Horady combines the energy and agility of a young firm with leadership experience gained at larger organisations. Just as important, its team is forward-thinking, client-focused and eager to collaborate.

Abacus members are expected not only to draw on the association, but also to share knowledge, make introductions and help their peers. Horady demonstrated that reciprocal mindset, making the firm a strong cultural and philosophical fit.

TA: Tell us more about the process of onboarding a member firm to the association.

JL: Onboarding begins with an application and a thoughtful vetting process, which typically includes a financial review, conversations with existing members and an interview before final approval. The purpose is not simply to fill a territory; it is to confirm quality, compatibility and a genuine willingness to participate in the Abacus community.

Once accepted, the firm meets with its regional director to map its strengths, priorities and areas where other members can help. We bring the broader team into the online community, resource hub, special interest groups, and virtual and in-person programs.

We also make purposeful introductions across the region and around the world. The goal is for a new member to begin building trusted relationships immediately and to become an active contributor – not simply a name in a directory.

TA: What benefit will being a member of Abacus have for Horady?

JL: Horady gains a trusted community of peers it can call on for technical insight, practice-management experience and support wherever its clients do business. As a growing, forward-looking firm, it can learn from members facing similar challenges while creating new opportunities for its people and clients.

The value is reciprocal: Abacus members now have a trusted resource in Bolivia, and Horady can help them navigate the country’s business environment with genuine local expertise. Membership works best when knowledge, relationships and opportunities flow in both directions.

TA: What are prospective member firms looking for when joining an association such as Abacus?

JL: Prospective members are looking for more than a source of referrals. They want a community of trusted peers who understand the realities of running a professional services firm – people they can call for practical advice, technical expertise and candid perspective. They also want confidence that any client introduction will be handled by a carefully vetted firm that shares their commitment to quality and service.

Abacus’s multidisciplinary model brings together accounting, law and advisory professionals because client needs rarely fit neatly within one discipline. Membership extends across the entire firm, giving team members access to shared knowledge, training, special interest groups, our online community and in-person events.

Ultimately, forward-thinking firms join to learn, contribute and grow – locally and globally – alongside people who are equally invested in their success.

TA: What will this expansion mean for Abacus’s wider network across the region?

JL: Adding Bolivia strengthens Abacus across Latin America and gives members everywhere a direct path to trusted local expertise. When a client needs support in Bolivia, members can begin with a known colleague rather than a cold search. At the same time, Horady can connect its clients and team to expertise throughout the Abacus community.

This is ‘business people doing business together’ in practical terms: independent local firms strengthened by global relationships, shared knowledge and a willingness to help one another. Horady’s membership makes the association more useful to every member and helps all of us turn cross-border complexity into practical opportunity.