Combined revenues of EY, KPMG, Deloitte and PwC crossed Rs 32,700 crore last year, highlighting the expansion in the scope of services being offered by the Big 4 in a country that ranks among the top three in the world on the number of listed firms.
Traditionally, the Big 4 firms have primarily been associated with audit and tax services, while the MBB (McKinsey, BCG and Bain) were the undisputed leaders in strategy consulting. Over the past few years, however, the Big 4 have quickly transformed into high-demand advisory and technology services firms, with consulting and technology emerging as the most rapidly expanding revenue streams in the post-Covid era. As on date, more than half the revenue in the four firms comes from advisory services.
“Corporations, public and private, have been dealing with a significant amount of disruption over the last few years and this has given us an opportunity to be a part of their transformation journey to both create value and/or prevent value loss,” said Sanjeev Krishan, chairman & CEO, PwC India. “At the same time, value creation is impossible without building trust and that continues to present a key opportunity for multi-disciplinary firms.”
COMPLEXITY & CONSULTING
As India Inc scales up operations amid economic growth, mid-level companies expand their reach, and new firms and startups raise growth capital for expansion, the Big Four firms are expected to play a pivotal role in providing critical financial and advisory support.
Romal Shetty, CEO, Deloitte South Asia, said that a multitude of factors are fuelling the demand for top professional services firms.
“The significant expansion of the Indian economy has led to an increased need for our expertise as Indian companies expand and diversify their operations. Moreover, the influx of multinational corporations (MNCs) into India, engaging in deals, establishing captives, and expanding their domestic operations, has further contributed to this demand,” said Shetty.
“The industry’s substantial disruption has also created a need for digital transformation projects. The Big Four firms are actively supporting India Inc throughout their comprehensive transformation journey, spanning various stages.”
For these firms, auditing services now account for less than 15% of total revenue from a disproportionate majority only a decade and a half ago, with EY, Deloitte and PwC not actively trying to expand this service line due to associated risks. Another traditional service, taxation advisory, has been a steady money spinner for the firms. This service line doesn’t fluctuate as much as transactions or consulting businesses that mirror the economic cycle.
