Key Takeaways
- • Crowe, the Chicago-based Top 25 accounting firm, launched CroweONE, an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) available to all employees without upfront investment, following the close of its private equity investment from KKR in August.
- • KKR's investment in Crowe was announced in June 2026, with capital earmarked for talent, technology and innovation; the deal made Crowe one of the largest accounting firms to take private equity money.
- • Crowe reported $1.4 billion in revenue, 539 partners and over 5,600 employees across 37 offices, and ranked No. 12 on Accounting Today's 2026 Top 100 Firms list.
- • Future hires will also be eligible for CroweONE, extending broad-based employee ownership as the firm grows.
- • Crowe also launched the Forward Together Awards employee recognition program and an employee assistance fund for staff facing unexpected financial hardship.
Summary
Crowe launched an employee stock ownership plan, CroweONE, following the close of its private equity investment from KKR in August, according to Accounting Today. The ESOP is available to all employees at no upfront cost, and future hires will also be eligible to participate.
The firm announced the KKR investment in June, saying the capital would be used to invest in talent, technology and innovation. The transaction made Crowe among the largest accounting firms to take outside private equity capital. Crowe is based in Chicago and ranked No. 12 on Accounting Today's 2026 Top 100 Firms list. It reported $1.4 billion in revenue, with 539 partners and more than 5,600 employees across 37 offices. Its global network includes more than 200 independent accounting and advisory firms in 130 countries, and the firm most recently invested in Crowe Advisory Services India.
Crowe CEO Steven Strammello said KKR's approach to broad-based ownership, employee engagement and alignment "immediately resonated" with the firm, which he said builds on principles guiding Crowe for more than 80 years. He said CroweONE allows employees to participate more directly in the firm's success and supports the firm's stewardship value. KKR partner Chris Harrington said broad-based ownership gives employees a share in the value they help create and a greater voice in the company's future, and that CroweONE can strengthen the connection between its people, clients and long-term growth.
Alongside the ESOP, Crowe started the Forward Together Awards, a new employee recognition program, and is establishing an employee assistance fund for staff facing unexpected financial hardship.
The firm announced the KKR investment in June, saying the capital would be used to invest in talent, technology and innovation. The transaction made Crowe among the largest accounting firms to take outside private equity capital. Crowe is based in Chicago and ranked No. 12 on Accounting Today's 2026 Top 100 Firms list. It reported $1.4 billion in revenue, with 539 partners and more than 5,600 employees across 37 offices. Its global network includes more than 200 independent accounting and advisory firms in 130 countries, and the firm most recently invested in Crowe Advisory Services India.
Crowe CEO Steven Strammello said KKR's approach to broad-based ownership, employee engagement and alignment "immediately resonated" with the firm, which he said builds on principles guiding Crowe for more than 80 years. He said CroweONE allows employees to participate more directly in the firm's success and supports the firm's stewardship value. KKR partner Chris Harrington said broad-based ownership gives employees a share in the value they help create and a greater voice in the company's future, and that CroweONE can strengthen the connection between its people, clients and long-term growth.
Alongside the ESOP, Crowe started the Forward Together Awards, a new employee recognition program, and is establishing an employee assistance fund for staff facing unexpected financial hardship.
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