The "Big 4" are called that because they are the four largest global accounting and professional services networks by revenue and market dominance: Deloitte, PwC, EY (Ernst & Young), and KPMG. This name reflects their massive size, vast global presence, and ability to handle complex, large-scale projects for major corporations, auditing most U.S. public companies and offering extensive tax, consulting, and advisory services.
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.
Because big4 is not referring to consulting... they're the 4 largest public accounting firms in the world, and the gap between the lowest big4(KPMG), and #5(BDO) is massive.
The "Big 4" refers to the four largest global professional services networks—Deloitte, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), Ernst & Young (EY), and KPMG—that dominate the accounting, auditing, tax, and consulting industries by revenue, handling audits for most major public companies. These firms offer a wide range of services beyond audit, including advisory, risk management, and financial consulting, making them central players in the global business world.
What is the starting salary at Big 4 firms?
Demanding Workload and Long Hours
One of the biggest stressors at Big 4 firms is the sheer volume of work. Employees, especially in roles like audit, tax, and consulting, often juggle multiple clients simultaneously, each with tight deadlines and high expectations.
Yes, Deloitte is still a core member of the Big Four, the four largest global professional services networks, alongside PwC, EY, and KPMG, collectively dominating the accounting, audit, tax, and consulting industries with massive revenues and workforces. They remain the most significant players in auditing nearly all major public companies and providing extensive advisory services, with Deloitte often leading in revenue.
Professional certifications: Obtaining certifications like the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) is often a prerequisite to work at a Big 4 firm.
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.
Some auditors may only work 60 hours per week during busy season while others may work 120 hours per week. Either way, work-life balance is largely non-existent during this time, with personal lives put on hold to meet client demands.
A large segment of experienced accountants are reaching retirement age, and younger generations often prioritize work-life balance, purpose-driven work, and flexible career paths. This causes organizations with more traditional accounting roles to struggle to appeal to emerging talent.
Will AI replace accountants? Not entirely—but it will change accounting. Firms that embrace AI and technology will attract forward-thinking clients and top talent. Accountants who pair their expertise with AI tools will stay ahead of the curve.
Big 4 Exit Opportunities:
As of Jan 16, 2026, the average annual pay for a Big 4 Partner in the United States is $113,105 a year. Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $54.38 an hour. This is the equivalent of $2,175/week or $9,425/month.