Accounting consulting firms specialize in helping companies navigate complex finance and accounting issues. This could look like helping a company prepare for a financial audit, navigate complicated tax laws, or prepare for Sarbanes-Oxley compliance.
Employment opportunities at accounting consulting firms are highly sought after by aspiring consultants. But which firms are worth your energy? Which firms have the best reputation? Which firms will you click with? To help in your search, we’ve ranked the top accounting consulting firms below.
Top Accounting Consulting Firms List
- Headquarters: London, UK; US headquarters in NYC
- Chief Executives: Bob Moritz (Global Chairman); Tim Ryan (US Chair and Senior Partner)
- Specialty: Audit and Assurance; Tax; Insurance
- Notable Campaigns/Clients: Bank of America; Chase; Goldman Sachs; IBM; Ford Motor Inc.
If you’ve done any research into the world of accounting consulting firms, PwC’s inclusion on our list should come as no surprise. PwC has office locations across the globe, a long history of excellence, and a renewed focus on people and culture. PwC is one of the “Big Four” top accounting consulting firms (PwC, Deloitte, EY, and KPMG), a group internationally regarded as the cream of the crop.
- Headquarters: London, UK (80 US office locations)
- Chief Executive: Anthony Viel (CEO)
- Specialty: Audit and Assurance; Advisory; Risk; Tax Services
- Notable Campaigns/Clients: MetLife; Morgan Stanley; Berkshire Hathaway; The Blackstone Group; Microsoft
A usual suspect makes an appearance on the list. Deloitte is one of the most well-known consulting firms in the world, having entered the game in 1845. Despite being founded in the UK and carrying out many business ventures abroad, Deloitte has a massive US presence with 80 offices. The firm offers fantastic compensation, great training programs, and very interesting work.
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- Headquarters: Amstelveen, Netherlands; US headquarters in NYC
- Chief Executive: Bill Thomas (Global Chairman and CEO)
- Specialty: Audit; Tax; Advisory
- Notable Campaigns/Clients: PepsiCo; Accenture; Halliburton; Citigroup; Wells Fargo
KPMG is another heavy hitter amongst the top accounting consulting firms. With offices in 145 countries, KPMG is a global force in the world of accounting. The firm’s culture has a uniquely European flavor, with an emphasis on longevity. Many US cities boast a KPMG office. Of the accounting consulting firms in Houston, for instance, KPMG sits at the top of the totem pole.
- Headquarters: NYC
- Chief Executives: Carmine Di Sibio (EY Global Chairman and CEO); Kelly Grier (US Chair and Managing Partner)
- Specialty: Assurance; Tax Advisory; Digital Strategy
- Notable Campaigns/Clients: Hewlett Packard; Verizon; AT&T; Hilton; General Motors
Last but not least of the Big 4 firms is EY, short for Ernst & Young. EY provides accounting services to companies across many industries, including transportation, hospitality, real estate, and technology. EY places an emphasis on sustainability and is widely regarded as one of the top consulting firms worldwide. EY, similar to PwC, also has a strategy consulting subdivision (known as EY-Parthenon).
- Headquarters: Paris, France; US Headquarters in NYC
- Chief Executive: Hervé Hélias (CEO)
- Specialty: Audit; Tax; Advisory
- Notable Campaigns/Clients: AIG; Goldman Sachs; Donald Trump; Peugeot; Publicis
The international giant Mazars has snagged many big clients out of the hands of the Big Four. Mazars has widespread global influence, but with a more established presence and brand name abroad than in America. This global firm is one of the top accounting consulting firms in the world.
- Headquarters: Chicago, IL
- Chief Executive: Alan D. Whitman (CEO)
- Specialty: Advisory; Tax; Assurance
A major 2020 merger with Squar Milner and a 2021 acquisition of Margolin, Winer & Evens catapulted Baker Tilly out of relative obscurity and onto our top 10 list. Baker Tilly got its start in the 1930s but has undergone quite the transformation, combining with 40 different firms and expanding globally into 148 territories. The firm has over 35,000 employees and rakes in over $4B in revenue each year.
- Headquarters: Chicago, IL
- Chief Executive: Bradley J. Preber (CEO)
- Specialty: Tax and Audit Advisory for Public Interest Entities and Public Sector Entities
- Notable Campaigns/Clients: US Agency for International Development; US House of Representatives; Americorps; Department of Labor
Focusing primarily on the public sector, Grant Thornton is a great landing place for aspiring consultants interested in public affairs and federal business transactions. The firm is involved in some capacity with each of the three branches of the US government. Grant Thornton is growing fast and offers an exciting compensation package for prospective employees.
- Headquarters: Dublin, Ireland; US Headquarters in Chicago, IL
- Chief Executive: Julie Sweet (Chair & CEO)
- Specialty: Audit; Assurance; Tax Advisory
- Notable Campaigns/Clients: Dropbox; Hewlett Packard Enterprises; Zuora; Tableau Software; Apteligent
Accenture is another powerhouse accounting consulting firm. While the firm offers far more than just accounting services, it does have a finance/accounting division. Accenture primarily works with companies in the technology sector. The firm is headquartered in Ireland with many offices in the US.
- Headquarters: London, UK
- Chief Executive: Jean Stephens (CEO)
- Specialty: Audit and Assurance; Advisory; Risk; Tax Services
- Notable Campaigns/Clients: Shurtape; Gay Lead Foods; The Paper Store; Comvest Partners
With a presence in over 120 countries and employing 50,000 people, RSM is a great landing spot for anyone looking to jumpstart or progress their consulting careers. RSM prides itself on its top-notch consulting work for middle-market companies.
- Headquarters: Chicago, IL
- Chief Executive: Wayne Bernson (CEO)
- Specialty: Audit and Assurance; Advisory; Risk; Tax Services
- Notable Campaigns/Clients: Apple; Facebook; Fidelity; Tyson Kupp
BDO hauls in Big Four caliber clients by virtue of its international resources and extensive industry-specific practices. Serving over 400 clients around the world and boasting its ranking as the 5th largest accounting network in the world, BDO has certainly earned its spot on our list.
Conclusion
The accounting consulting firms on this list are some of the most desirable finance organizations to work for, whether in the United States or abroad. Each of these firms, however, varies with regard to its values, workload, salary, benefits, and more. To gain insight into which firm might best suit your lifestyle and professional goals, schedule a one-hour session with one of our consulting coaches.
Additional Resources:
- Top 25 Consulting Firms
- Top 10 Boutique Consulting Firms in US
- Consulting Resume: Complete Guide
- Case Interview: Complete Prep Guide