Vanessa Piedrahita, Latin America Practice Leader, Aprio

May 2026 — Invest: sat down with Vanessa Piedrahita, Latin America practice leader of Aprio, to discuss how nearshoring, tax policy shifts, and evolving service models are reshaping cross-border strategy for Latin American investors. “Nearshoring was the word for 2025,” Piedrahita said.

What have been some of the most impactful changes, both for Aprio’s Latin America practice and for the greater industry over the last 12 to 18 months?

The last 12 months have been very interesting and eventful, not only for Aprio but also for the region. As a firm, we were named the No. 24 largest business advisory and accounting firm in the U.S., which is a big achievement for us.

In 2024, we reached $450 million, and for 2025, it’s looking like we’re going to exceed $600 million, so the change has been dramatic in our growth. It’s been a great year for the firm, and it’s been a great year for our clients. We’ve seen a lot of transformation and recognition as one of the top workplaces in the country. That matters because when your people love being part of the firm, it translates into great client service and a great client experience.

One of the biggest changes in 2025 is that we started providing legal services for our clients. That means we truly are a one-stop shop. For international clients, it is very convenient to have one firm supporting multiple needs as they deploy their investments and want to feel taken care of.

How is your practice area positioning itself to serve Latin American investors as assets continue to rise?

For the Latin American market, what stood out in 2025 was nearshoring. It started with everything that happened surrounding tariffs. The world was changing, and everybody was looking at ways to adapt, so nearshoring became the topic of most conversations.

Latin America became a beneficiary of those changes, some jurisdictions more than others, and at Aprio, we were ready to help our clients with this new trend. Starting to offer legal services definitely was a plus, because clients establishing new entities need help navigating the legal landscape along with the tax landscape. Aprio’s fully integrated platform serves clients holistically, helping them move faster, reduce uncertainty, and enter the market with more confidence.

Do these macroeconomic shifts affect inbound and outbound tax strategies? If so, how are clients responding?

Yes, they do affect both inbound and outbound tax strategies, and we’re seeing clients respond very actively to them.

These macroeconomic shifts have had a direct impact, particularly for clients in manufacturing and distribution, which are the sectors most exposed to tariff and supply‑chain changes. I often say that Mexico has been the silent winner of the tariff environment, as it became the primary jurisdiction absorbing production that was being relocated from China and other countries affected by recent trade actions.

At Aprio, we have supported clients from around the world in reassessing their structures, understanding how new tariffs and trade rules affect their effective tax rate, and realigning supply chains to protect margins while remaining compliant. Our focus is to help clients respond quickly so that tax and trade changes do not disrupt service to their customers; we stay close to them, continuously monitor regulatory developments, and provide scenario analysis that informs location, pricing, and investment decisions that keep their operations moving forward.

What tax policy changes are you watching that could impact clients in the near future?

The One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) was signed into law on July 4, 2025, and if we’re going to talk about change, it has to be a hot topic. The law makes permanent many provisions that were originally temporary under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, including lower individual rates, the enhanced standard deduction, and key business incentives, which gives clients more clarity and stability for long‑term planning.

At the same time, OBBB introduces important new elements, so we are closely tracking both the opportunities and the compliance requirements. Hospitality and restaurant businesses are seeing targeted relief through “no tax on tips” and “no tax on overtime” thresholds, expanded use of bonus depreciation, and a permanent qualified business income deduction, all of which can materially improve after‑tax cash flow for operators in South Florida and across the country.

Across Aprio, we are actively modeling these changes for clients, updating projections, and adjusting entity structures, compensation programs, and capital expenditure plans to align with the new rules.

What role will AI and automation play going forward, and how do you see it changing client service?

I’m a big AI fan — I think AI is here to enhance our profession, to make things easier, to make work more efficient, to help reduce the amount of human errors in calculations, and to free us from manual work so our teams can focus on higher‑value activities.

There is a part of our profession that remains unchanged, and it is that our clients want to spend more time with us. They want conversations, and help thinking through complex decisions. By having AI support a lot of the manual labor, it is freeing our time to spend more time with clients, deepen relationships and deliver more thoughtful planning and problem solving. That is where value sits.

At Aprio, we are big supporters of AI, and the firm encourages us to use tools that enhance human intelligence. For me, it is a great change, and it helps us deliver a stronger experience while preserving and strengthening the human connection that clients count on.

What differentiates Aprio from other firms serving international clients?

Our expansion to different service lines is what makes us different. Digital transformation, cybersecurity, international tax, which is my passion, and Aprio Legal to name a few, are what makes us an all-around service provider.

Because many of our clients are overseas, having that full-service suite means we can connect the dots across tax, technology, risk, and legal structure so they feel fully supported as they make cross‑border decisions. That integrated approach translates into a stronger relationship. International clients want a trusted advisor who understands their home country, the U.S. environment, and the interactions between them, and who can coordinate solutions instead of sending them to multiple providers.

The fact that we were recognized for growth and culture is something that makes us very proud. The accounting profession has this stigma that accountants are here with a pencil on our ears and calculators until 3:00 in the morning, and that is not the case anymore. When you have the right tools, including AI, it enhances the way we work.

 Ultimately, we are not just preparing returns or reports, we are providing solutions and acting as long‑term trusted advisors for our clients’ global operations. With Aprio Legal and our broader advisory capabilities, clients can focus on running and growing their businesses while we handle the tax, regulatory, and structural issues that come with operating across borders, so they can move forward with clarity and confidence.

Looking ahead, what are your strategic priorities for the Latin America practice over the next three to five years?

Looking ahead, we are very optimistic about Latin America. Several countries are undergoing meaningful political and economic changes, and there is hope about what could happen in the region. For some areas, we have to sit and wait. But every time there is change in the region, all eyes go back to the U.S. for inbound purposes.

We stand ready to help our clients. We are seeing a big increase in hospitality investment. The restaurant industry is growing tremendously here in South Florida. We also see growth in cybersecurity and technology. There is a lot of inbound activity tied to what is happening across the region, and our priority is staying prepared to guide clients through both inbound and outbound decisions with a clear plan and strong execution.

 Over the next five years, we want the Latin America practice to be synonymous with helping clients move forward confidently as conditions shift and new opportunities emerge.