- KNAV, the Atlanta-based global Accounting & Advisory Firm appoints Vaibhav Manek as India CEO.
- As a Co-Founder, Vaibhav has been a key driving force behind KNAV’s remarkable growth.
- Recently the KNAV received a strategic investment from Zerodha’s Nikhil Kamath.
KNAV appoints new India CEO
On January 29, 2025, KNAV announced the appointment of Vaibhav Manek as the new Country CEO for its India practice.
Vaibhav, who is the Co-founder and Partner at KNAV has been instrumental in the firm’s India growth.
He will now lead the charge in aligning KNAV India with the global vision of this premier international accounting and advisory firm.
KNAV’s story and global presence
Founded in 1999 in Mumbai, KNAV began after it identified the US-India corridor opportunity.
In just three months, the firm expanded to the United States.
Fast forward, today KNAV is ranked among the top 300 CPA firms in the US, with a presence in seven countries.
The firm operates from offices in India, the US, Netherlands, Singapore, the UK, Canada, and the Philippines.
Services KNAV offers
At KNAV they operate within three main categories: audit, tax, and advisory.
1. Audit
- Country-Level Audits
- Special Purpose Audits:
- Financial Due Diligence:
2. Tax
3. Advisory
- Client Accounting & Advisory
- Business Advisory
- Accounting Advisory
- Valuation Services
- Corporate Finance
- Risk Advisory
Vaibhav Manek’s role
As Lead Partner for Advisory Services and now CEO of KNAV India, Vaibhav’s role includes,
- M&A Transaction Advisory
- Corporate Finance – Covering buy-side & sell-side strategies, fundraising, and business plan strategies
- Management Consulting – Helping businesses scale across Technology, Consumer, Pharma, Media, and Sports & Entertainment
- Client Accounting & Advisory Services – Acting as a virtual CFO and providing comprehensive strategic, financial, and tax advice
Educational background
- Vaibhav is a Chartered Accountant from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India.
- He is also a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) from American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, USA.
- Vaibhav has also pursued executive education from Harvard Business School
- A lifelong learner, Vaibhav is currently pursuing a Master’s in Business Law at the National Law School of India, Bangalore.
Nikhil Kamath’s strategic investment in KNAV
Nikhil Kamath, Co-founder of Zerodha, made a significant minority investment in KNAV in September 2024.
He shared,
“We are excited to partner with KNAV, a firm that exemplifies innovation and leadership in the industry. This investment will help KNAV scale globally and deliver top-tier services, setting them apart from the competition.”
Advice to CA Firms
In an event, hosted by The Finance Story, Vaibhav shared valuable insights for CA firms looking to expand their service offerings.
According to him, the future holds tremendous opportunities beyond traditional bookkeeping and taxes; or in his words, one should aim for “Going up the value chain”.
Advisory services are expected to see rapid growth, especially accounting advisory, which is the fastest-growing segment.
Also read: US, UK, Australia, Canada – How To Pick A Global Market For Your Accounting Firm?
Wrapping up
Nishta Sharma, CEO of KNAV Advisory Inc., shared her thoughts about Vaibhav’s appointment, stating,
“His expertise and commitment will undoubtedly propel our India operations to new heights. This move strengthens our corporate model and showcases our dedication to growth while maintaining cohesion across the firm.”
