PIA Group makes strategic German debut with LADM acquisition, targeting 1,000 employees by 2027.
PIA Group, the Belgian-born accountancy, advisory, and audit firm, has marked its first cross-border expansion with the acquisition of LADM, a well-established German practice with five offices and 130 employees in North Rhine-Westphalia.
The deal not only launches PIA Deutschland but also positions PIA Group as the first Belgian firm to enter the German market under its own brand, signaling a bold step in its international growth strategy.
LADM, known for its personalized approach, technical expertise, and deep regional roots, serves SMEs (Mittelstand) with integrated accounting, audit, and tax services.
The partnership aligns with PIA Group’s proven Benelux model – preserving local identity while leveraging international scale – and sets the stage for cross-border advisory leadership in the Lower Rhine region.
"Our vision has always been to strengthen local firms without diluting their uniqueness", said Steven Brouckaert, PIA Group’s founder. "LADM’s success in Germany confirms that our model transcends borders."
The ambition? To expand to 1,000 employees nationwide by 2027, combining LADM’s agility with PIA’s technology and global resources.
For LADM, joining PIA Group means accelerated growth, digital transformation, and access to international expertise without sacrificing autonomy. "PIA shares our commitment to local entrepreneurship and quality", said Klaus Aymans, LADM partner. "Their investment in technology and data analytics will future-proof our services in a rapidly evolving market."
With this acquisition, PIA Group now employs nearly 3,500 professionals across the Benelux and Germany, reinforcing its alternative to traditional M&A consolidation where firms often lose their identity. Instead, PIA’s "local leadership, global scale" approach empowers partners to retain their DNA while gaining competitive advantages, from AI-driven insights to streamlined operations.
The deal underscores PIA Group’s focus on SMEs, offering tailored, tech-enabled advice without the corporate rigidity of Big Four firms.
"We’re not building a monolithic structure", said Tom Verhaegen, Group CEO. "We’re creating a network where entrepreneurs get the best of both worlds: trusted local advisors backed by international data and innovation."
Supported by Baltisse, the family office of Filip Balcaen, PIA Group is doubling down on digital platforms and AI to free up advisors for high-value strategic guidance. "Technology is the key to staying ahead", added Benjamin Biesmans, Investment Director at Baltisse. "By centralizing tech investments, local firms gain efficiency and advising power without losing their entrepreneurial spirit."
With 150+ offices and more than 500 million euros revenue targeted for 2026, PIA Group is redefining scalable, human-centric advisory proving that growth and independence can go hand in hand.
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