Kreston International has significantly strengthened its international accounting and business network in the United States of America.

The independent network of which Rabjohns LLP of College Yard, Worcester are the West Midlands representatives - has been joined by CBIZ and Mayer Hoffman McCann (MHM), the eighth largest certified public accounting firm in the US with a combined fee income of $550m.

With 140 offices in 34 US states, CBIZ is a one-stop shop for financial services and MHM provides an auditing service.

''CBIZ and MHM wanted to join an international network such as Kreston because they are finding they are winning more international clients and they needed to be able to satisfactorily service their clients' global requirements,'' said Chris Flint, Executive Director and International Secretary with Kreston.

''We are expecting some good relationships to develop between Kreston member firms, producing an extra flow of work,'' Mr Flint added

Ian Smith, chairman of Rabjohns, said Kreston's developing network in the US was welcome news for the firm's clients.

''Effectively this means we now have access to an experienced team of business and accounting advisors from the west to the east coast of America. For clients wanting to expand their business in the US we will be able to put them in touch with quality advisors.''

Two of Rabjohns directors attended the Kreston world conference held in Shanghai, China. The CBIZ relationship has immediately proved beneficial, with Ian Smith due to visit their New York office in March while in the States with a client. The Worcester-based firm were also able to meet and instruct one of their Chinese associates on the audit of a client's manufacturing subsidiary.

Kreston is among the top 15 largest accounting networks in the world with over 11,400 professional staff in more than 400 offices. Kreston UK would rank as the 13th largest firm in the UK.