What is the Big 4?
The Big 4 are the four largest international accounting and professional services firms. They are Deloitte, EY, KPMG and PwC. Each provides audit, tax, consulting and financial advisory services to major corporations.
What is the history behind the Big 4?
The Big 4 firms have been around for over a century and are known for their high-quality services and deep expertise. Each of these firms has teams of experienced professionals who specialize in areas such as taxation, mergers and acquisitions (M&A), corporate restructuring, intellectual property protection, risk management, cybersecurity and more.
The Big 4 are known for their commitment to excellence and have earned a reputation for integrity and trustworthiness. They employ thousands of people around the world and attract top talent from universities, law schools and business schools. They also provide internship opportunities, which can help students gain valuable insights into the accounting profession.
What types of organizations work with the Big 4?
The Big 4 work with many types of organizations across industries, including technology companies, healthcare organizations, retail establishments, government entities, nonprofit organizations and financial institutions. Their clients include Fortune 500 companies and small and medium-sized businesses.
What services do the Big 4 provide?
Overall, the Big 4 is an important part of the global economy and provides important financial services to organizations worldwide. They play a critical role in helping companies manage risk, reduce costs, increase efficiency, maximize profits and remain competitive in today's market.
Auditing services
The Big 4 audits the majority of all publicly traded companies. This helps to ensure that these companies are accurately reporting their financial data and following applicable laws and regulations.
Financial services
In addition, the Big 4 firms provide a variety of other financial services, such as assisting with M&A, preparing tax returns, developing risk management strategies, providing legal advice and more.
Thought leadership
The Big 4 also has a presence in the media and often provides insight into current issues in the accounting profession. They are active contributors to industry publications, blogs, conferences and other outlets. They have led several research initiatives on topics such as sustainability and corporate governance.
Quality assurance and consulting
Finally, each of the Big 4 firms provides quality assurance and consulting services to their clients, which involve verifying that a company's processes are accurate and up to date. As consultants, they focus on helping a company improve operations or develop new strategies.
These services can be invaluable for businesses looking to become more competitive in their respective markets.
See three reasons why CISOs should collaborate more with CFOs, and learn three strategies for better finance-IT collaboration.
This was last updated in February 2023
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