While the term "Big 6" isn't standard, it often refers to the dominant "Big Four" (Deloitte, PwC, EY, KPMG) plus the next tier of large global firms like BDO and RSM or Grant Thornton, representing the largest professional services networks globally that provide audit, tax, and consulting services. The industry landscape evolved from the "Big Eight" to the "Big Four" through mergers, with these firms dominating the market for auditing large corporations.
The Big Six accountancy firms – Price Waterhouse, Peat Marwick McClintock, Coopers & Lybrand, Ernst and Young, Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu and Arthur Andersen – play an important and influential part in the world economy.
The “Big Four” refers to the four largest accounting firms and comprises Deloitte, PwC, KPMG, and EY. All four companies provide audit, assurance, consulting, financial advisory, risk management, and tax compliance services. Deloitte. “Deloitte Reports FY2024 Revenue.”
The Big 8 Accounting Firms History
All Big 4 accountancy firms – Deloitte, PwC, EY, and KPMG – are active recruiters of ACCA-affiliated accountants. Choice often depends on your interest area: audit, consulting, tax, or advisory.
A. Deloitte & Touche LLP is Microsoft's independent auditor.
Compare company reviews, salaries and ratings to find out if Infosys or PwC is right for you. Infosys is most highly rated for Job security and advancement and PwC is most highly rated for Culture. Learn more, read reviews and see open jobs.
SALARY OF A CHARTERED ACCOUNTANT IN INDIA
The salary offered by the big 4 for freshers CA salary per annum is INR 6-8 lakhs, and for those with experience of 4-5 years, CA salary per annum is INR 23 lakhs.
India's corporate audit market is experiencing unprecedented consolidation, with the so-called “Big 6” accounting firms-Deloitte, EY, KPMG, PwC, Grant Thornton, and BDO-increasing their stranglehold on India's largest listed companies.
The Top Accounting Firms in India
We also provide the amount of fees that EY earns on some of the clients.
PwC Salary FAQs
How much does PwC pay to its employees? The highest-paying role, Managing Partner, typically earns between ₹1.3 Crore to ₹1.9 Crore per year. The top 10% of employees earn more than ₹30 Lakhs per year, and the top 1% earn over ₹55 Lakhs per year.
Employees at Deloitte earn an average of ₹20.6lakhs, mostly ranging from ₹15.8lakhs to ₹55.4lakhs based on 2905 profiles.
Alphabet. Alphabet, the parent company of Google, is audited by EY, according to its statement following the 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. Alphabet paid EY $6.5 million in fees for auditing and other professional services across its 2024 fiscal year, the statement shows.
The Office of Inspector General contracted with the independent public accounting firm Ernst & Young LLP to audit NASA's fiscal year 2025 financial statements. The audit results found the financial statements presented fairly, in all material respects, the financial position and results of NASA's operations.
Individuals who describe themselves as Chartered Certified Accountants must be members of ACCA and if they carry out public practice engagements, must comply with additional regulations such as holding a practising certificate, carrying liability insurance and submitting to inspections.
The single most important certification needed for a Big 4 career is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license. Becoming a CPA shows that you have the skills and knowledge to offer top services, plus the authorization to perform any needed task for the firm.
Yes, BDO is widely considered the fifth-largest accounting network globally, often referred to as the "next biggest" after the dominant Big Four (Deloitte, PwC, EY, KPMG) and is sometimes included in discussions about a "Big Five" or "Big Six" tier, especially in markets like India, but it's technically the #5 global player by size and revenue.