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- KNAV, the Atlanta-based global Accounting & Advisory Firm with a presence in 7 countries appoints Vaibhav Manek as India CEO.
- As a co-founder, Vaibhav has been a key driving force behind KNAV’s remarkable growth.
- In September 2024, KNAV secured 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.
He will lead the charge in aligning KNAV India with the global vision of this premier international accounting and advisory firm.
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.”
This marks an exciting new chapter for both Vaibhav and KNAV!
Vaibhav Manek’s new role as CEO of India
Earlier, Vaibhav led the Business Advisory service line, where his team helped clients with business planning, strategy, and growth, driving both organic and inorganic expansion, including collaborations and joint ventures.
Now, as 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
- Chartered Accountant from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI)
- Certified Public Accountant (CPA) from the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (USA)
- Executive Education from Harvard Business School
- Currently pursuing a Master’s in Business Law at the National Law School of India, Bangalore (yes, he’s definitely a lifelong learner!)
KNAV’s story and global presence
KNAV is an Atlanta-based global Accounting & Advisory Firm founded in 1999 in Mumbai.
The firm began after the co-founders – Khozema, Nishta, Atul and Vaibhav (KNAV) 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 7 countries – India, the US, the Netherlands, Singapore, the UK, Canada, and the Philippines.
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
Nikhil Kamath’s strategic investment in KNAV
In September 2024, KNAV dropped some exciting news—Nikhil Kamath, Co-founder of Zerodha, made a strategic minority investment in the firm!
Sharing his thoughts, Nikhil said:
“We’re thrilled to partner with KNAV, a firm that truly stands for innovation and leadership in the industry. This investment will help KNAV scale globally and deliver top-tier services that set them apart from the crowd.”
Also read: US, UK, Australia, Canada – How To Pick A Global Market For Your Accounting Firm?
Wrapping up…
In an event, hosted by The Finance Story, Vaibhav shared valuable insights for Accounting and Advisory firms looking to expand their service offerings.
According to him, the future holds tremendous opportunities beyond traditional bookkeeping and taxes; or in his words, firms should aim to “go up the value chain”
He also pointed out how – Advisory services are expected to see rapid growth (25-30%), especially accounting advisory, which is the fastest-growing segment.
With a growing focus on Advisory and Consulting, not forgetting technology – KNAV is set to keep raising the bar and setting new industry standards.
Exciting times for India and global accounting firms!
