The Big Four: The 4 best companies in the world
The Big Four are the four largest professional services networks in the world:
Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited
Ernst & Young Global Limited
Klynveld Peat Marwick Goerdeler
PricewaterhouseCoopers International Limited
These firms offer a wide range of services, including:
Audit and assurance: Verifying financial statements and providing assurance on various business processes.
Tax: Providing tax advice and compliance services to individuals and corporations.
Consulting: Offering strategic advice, operational improvement, and technology solutions.
Financial advisory: Providing services such as mergers and acquisitions, valuations, and debt advisory.
The Big Four are often criticized for their dominance in the market and their involvement in high-profile accounting scandals. However, they continue to be the go-to firms for many of the world's largest companies.
Here are some of the key criticisms of the Big Four:
Conflict of interest: The Big Four often provide both audit and consulting services to the same clients, which can create a conflict of interest.
Lack of independence: The Big Four are often accused of being too close to their clients, which can compromise their independence.
High fees: The Big Four charge high fees for their services, which can be a burden for smaller companies.
Role in accounting scandals: The Big Four have been involved in several high-profile accounting scandals, such as Enron and WorldCom.
Despite these criticisms, the Big Four remain a powerful force in the global economy. They are constantly innovating and adapting to the changing needs of their clients.
Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, commonly referred to as Deloitte, is a multinational professional services network. It is one of the "Big Four" accounting organizations and offers a wide range of services including:
Audit and assurance: Verifying financial statements and providing assurance on various business processes.
Tax: Providing tax advice and compliance services to individuals and corporations.
Consulting: Offering strategic advice, operational improvement, and technology solutions.
Financial advisory: Providing services such as mergers and acquisitions, valuations, and debt advisory.
Deloitte was founded in London in 1845 by William Welch Deloitte and has since expanded to over 150 countries with approximately 457,000 employees globally. While Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited is the legal name of the UK private company, the brand "Deloitte" is used to refer to the network of independent firms that collaborate to provide services under the Deloitte brand.
Ernst & Young Global Limited, commonly known as EY, is one of the "Big Four" accounting organizations. It offers a wide range of professional services, including:
Audit and Assurance: Verifying financial statements and providing assurance on various business processes.
Tax: Providing tax advice and compliance services to individuals and corporations.
Consulting: Offering strategic advice, operational improvement, and technology solutions.
Financial Advisory: Providing services such as mergers and acquisitions, valuations, and debt advisory.
EY has a global presence, with offices in over 150 countries and a workforce of approximately 390,000 people. The firm is committed to building a better working world and has a strong focus on innovation and technology.
Klynveld Peat Marwick Goerdeler (KPMG) is one of the "Big Four" accounting organizations. It offers a wide range of professional services, including:
Audit and Assurance: Verifying financial statements and providing assurance on various business processes.
Tax: Providing tax advice and compliance services to individuals and corporations.
Consulting: Offering strategic advice, operational improvement, and technology solutions.
Financial Advisory: Providing services such as mergers and acquisitions, valuations, and debt advisory.
KPMG has a global presence, with offices in over 150 countries and a workforce of approximately 297,000 people. The firm is committed to building a better working world and has a strong focus on innovation and technology.
PricewaterhouseCoopers International Limited, commonly known as PwC, is one of the "Big Four" accounting organizations. It offers a wide range of professional services, including:
Audit and Assurance: Verifying financial statements and providing assurance on various business processes.
Tax: Providing tax advice and compliance services to individuals and corporations.
Consulting: Offering strategic advice, operational improvement, and technology solutions.
Financial Advisory: Providing services such as mergers and acquisitions, valuations, and debt advisory.
PwC has a global presence, with offices in over 150 countries and a workforce of approximately 370,000 people. The firm is committed to building a better working world and has a strong focus on innovation and technology.
