Winner: KPMG

KPMG is this year's recipient of the Accountancy Age Global Firm of the Year Award. The firm, which in the past year saw global revenues increase 14% to £1.45bn, has demonstrated some remarkable performance achievements. But fee growth certainly hasn't been at the expense of innovation or commitment to staff wellbeing.

Revenues across all areas of business have grown in the past year, from a modest 2% in audit to £421m, to a staggering 33% in forensic, up to £40m. The company, which today audits more listed companies than any of its competitors, now boasts 15 of the top 50 London hedge funds among its clients and, in terms of numbers, has done more deals than its competitors.

Meanwhile, the groundbreaking creation of KPMG Europe, formed through the merger of the UK, German and Swiss firms, is set to create the single largest accounting practice in Europe, with unrivalled access to a larger talent pool for clients, new and increased sources of income, not to mention a decrease in overheads.

At the same time, it is the first firm to set up Audit Response Teams - a pool of talent deployed rapidly to enhance client teams on any non-audit business. As a long-time advocate of corporate social responsibility, KPMG has created a Carbon Advisory Group to help client organisations measure and reduce their carbon footprints.

The judges said: 'KPMG showed phenomenal client development that made for significant achievements. They have moved to a new structure and showed examples of new services, innovation and great customer delivery. This is a firm demonstrating what it means to lead as a global player.