The "Big 4" refers to the four largest global professional services networks—Deloitte, PwC, EY, and KPMG—which dominate the auditing of public companies and provide extensive tax, assurance, and consulting services. They are not a single regulatory body but set industry standards for high-quality, global audits, ESG reporting, and AI-driven compliance.
The Big 4 are the largest accounting and auditing firms in the world: Deloitte LLP (Deloitte), PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), Ernst & Young (EY) and Klynveld Peat Marwick Goerdeler (KPMG). They're so big that their joint revenue in 2024 was—you guessed it—$212 billion. Let's go into more detail.
Professional certifications: Obtaining certifications like the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) is often a prerequisite to work at a Big 4 firm.
The four are often grouped because they are comparable in size relative to the rest of the market, both in terms of revenue and workforce; they are considered equal in their ability to provide a wide scope of professional services to their clients; and, among those looking to start a career in professional services, ...
What is the starting salary at Big 4 firms?
A Block Development Officer is qualified for salary by the norms of the Seventh Pay Commission. The BDO salary is Rs 18,500, without including DA, TA, or HRA. It may rise to Rs 45,500 and ultimately reach Rs 1,21,600 if the candidate is appointed as Deputy Development Commissioner.
We all now know it as the big four, but actually it was the big 5. Arthur Andersen was once a symbol of excellence in the accounting profession, standing tall among the prestigious "Big Five" firms alongside PwC, Deloitte, EY, and KPMG.
Absolutely not. Many accounting roles don't require CPA certification. In fact, our Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Master of Science in Accounting are designed as non-licensure programs. That means they provide the essential accounting knowledge and skills needed for a variety of accounting careers.
Landing a highly sought-after position at one of the "Big 4" firms—Deloitte, Ernst & Young (EY), PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), and Klynveld Peat Marwick Goerdeler (KPMG)—is exceptionally challenging due to extremely low acceptance rates (ranging from 0.85% to 4%), but is desirable due to high potential for career ...
History of the Big 4 accounting firms
In the late 1990s, the Big 6 became the Big 5 when Price Waterhouse merged with Coopers and Lybrand to form PricewaterhouseCoopers (later stylised as PwC). Five became four in 2001 after the insolvency of Arthur Andersen due to the firm's involvement in the Enron scandal.
Many accountants experience burnout at some point in their careers because of the long hours and constant high pressure of working in a Big 4 firm. It starts with struggling to cope with workplace stress. Over time, they are left feeling exhausted, empty, and unable to function or cope with everyday life.
Really long hours, very tense atmosphere with people being overworked as the company culture.
Qualifications:
The interview process is 'friendly' but 'intense': so make sure you know what you're getting yourself into! From start to finish, the recruitment process can take a few weeks or more, and no stone is left unturned.
To be in the top 1% of US earners, you generally need an income well over $700,000 nationally, with figures around $794,000 cited for recent years, but this varies significantly by state, requiring over $1 million in places like Connecticut and Massachusetts, while being around $400,000-$450,000 in lower-cost states like West Virginia and Mississippi.
You're Tired of Working Late
The Big Four are notorious for their late nights. When it comes to work-life balance, they typically score low on employee satisfaction surveys. This is because their hours are long, and they tend to demand a lot. While a good job is a challenging one, there is a limit.
What is a mid-tier accounting firm? Mid-tier firms are those that are not part of the Big 4 but are larger than your small local firms. They generally employ anywhere from 1,000 - 10,000 team members. Some mid-tier firms have name recognition throughout the industry, but many don't.
PwC pay FAQs
The average salary for a Cpa is $238,145 per year (estimate) in US, which is 40% higher than the average PwC salary of $169,876 per year (estimate) for this job.