This is a discussion on the news article "Big 4 Accounting & Auditing Firms For Professionals".
The Big 4 refers to the four largest international professional services networks, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, Ernst & Young, and KPMG offering audit, assurance, tax, consulting, advisory, actuarial, corporate finance, and legal services. These firms provide an extensive range of accounting and auditing services including external audit, taxation services, management and business consultancy, and risk assessment & control.
Although usually identified as single companies, each one of the Big 4 Accounting Firms is actually a network of independent corporations who have entered into agreements with one another to set quality standards and share a common name. It is reported that the Big Four audit 99% of the companies in the FTSE 100, and 96% of the companies in the FTSE 250, an index of the leading mid-cap listing companies. They also provide massive employment and career development opportunities to accountants and auditors around the world.
To work for one of The Big Four Accounting Firms is a prestigious honor and a goal for many accountants. Having been employed by a Big 4 Firm carries a lot of weight in the industry and can offer you career opportunities you couldn’t get elsewhere.
