2001
In January of that year, Macro Audit and Consulting was founded by Marcelo Lico in the city of São Paulo. Lico had already been working in accounting and auditing for over 14 years and decided to start his own company. Initially, the service focus was on companies in the real estate segment, one of Lico’s specialties, who also had extensive experience in management consulting serving Middle Market companies.
2006
This was a time when Brazil was experiencing significant growth, and it was a successful period for the auditing and consulting market. At that time, Macro Audit had about 50 professionals but was still small in the Brazilian market. Its resilience was tested as larger auditing and consulting firms, including the Big 4, frequently tried to acquire it. It was time to create the company’s first strategic plan, to evaluate whether Macro should be incorporated by a larger company or continue innovating and growing in an increasingly competitive market. Despite attractive offers from competitors, Lico and his partners chose to keep pursuing entrepreneurship.
2008
The global economic crisis affected Brazil and slowed the company's growth for the first time in nearly 8 years of activity. However, continuing to innovate, Macro Audit launched new products focused on Accounting, Risk, and Management Consulting. At this time, Brazil adopted the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), which contributed to the company’s continued growth despite the crisis.
2012
In April of that year, Macro Audit embraced the Crowe brand, one of the largest global auditing and consulting networks. From this partnership onward, Macro adopted the local brand Crowe Macro Brazil and began a trajectory of accelerated growth and transformation.
2014
In April, Lico bought out his audit partner’s stake, becoming the controlling partner of the operation. This moment marked the start of the company’s corporate restructuring and the establishment of a new strategic plan aligned with Crowe Global’s business model and guidelines. From then on, products focused on AUDIT, RISK, TAX, CORPORATE FINANCE, BPO, MANAGEMENT CONSULTING, AND DUE DILIGENCE were offered under the “CROWE” brand.
2015
Brazil went through the biggest economic crisis in its history. Nevertheless, Crowe Macro Brazil continued investing in brand development, opening new offices, bringing in specialist partners, and heavily investing in CROWE product offerings.
2017
In July, Crowe Macro Brazil acquired BEAUDIT Auditors and Consultants, adding a new audit partner, an important client portfolio, and 25 professionals.
That year, the People Management department (GGP) was established, with a robust HR team acting strategically on human capital far beyond operational tasks. Since then, Crowe Macro Brazil has been consistently certified by GPTW (Great Place To Work) as one of the best companies to work for.
2017 was Crowe Macro Brazil’s best year, with 50% growth.
2019
The regional office in Rio de Janeiro (RJ) was inaugurated. With this, Crowe Macro Brazil had four offices in Brazil (São Paulo, Osasco, Campinas, and Rio de Janeiro). That year, the company reached 300 professionals.
2020
The mentorship program started with the hiring of an external consultant to support the development of the partner training plan. This marked the effective opening of the partnership with professionals being promoted to partner positions.
That year, the regional office in Manaus (AM) was inaugurated.
2021
Crowe Macro Brazil celebrated 20 years of activity. This year, the Capital Markets area was created, focusing on consulting for companies seeking growth and the capital markets, offering technical, regulatory, and strategic support for fundraising and transformation.
That year, new brands joined the Crowe Macro portfolio:
- Croma Human Resources was founded, focusing on strategic human capital consulting, hunting, and placement of specialized professionals;
- The Macro brand was revived to serve the accounting and corporate consulting segment for Middle Market clients.
As the GCM (Grupo Crowe Macro), the consolidated operation grew by 35%.
2022
In February, Covenant Technology was founded in Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo’s countryside, as the GCM’s innovation and technology arm. Covenant operates in technological consulting, automation, infrastructure, data security, cloud, and is a franchisee of Sankhya Sistemas, a major Brazilian ERP provider.
GCM reached 400 professionals.
2024
Lico began the succession process of Crowe Macro Brazil, appointing three new Managing Partners for the Audit (Sergio Oliveira), Management Consulting (Juliana Brito), and Corporate Finance (Marcelo Tommasi) divisions, as well as designating Erika Suzuki, the longest-standing partner and collaborator, as International Liaison Partner (ILP), responsible for international relations of Crowe Macro Brazil.
This year, the “Protagonists” project was launched, a program conceived, hosted, and directed by Marcelo Lico. The first season featured twelve episodes sharing inspiring stories from renowned business leaders and executives, exploring their trajectories, challenges, and achievements.
In October 2024, by vote of Crowe Global member countries, Lico was elected to the network’s Board for the 2025/2026 biennium.
2025
Strengthening the succession and management professionalization program at Crowe Macro Brazil, the Executive Committee was formally established with members elected by equity partners. The company’s management is now shared among Lico (CEO & Founder), Managing Partners, and the Executive Committee.
