Deloitte has closed the gap between itself and KPMG in terms of FTSE 100 audits, but PricewaterhouseCoopers’ dominance of the sector has not been challenged after the latest quarterly review.

The Big Four leader still has 41 audits, maintaining the gulf between KPMG (21), Deloitte (20) and Ernst &Young (18).

The FTSE 100 reshuffle saw Taylor Wimpey, Tullow Oil and Carphone Warehouse catapulted into the top echelon. However, despite auditing all three of the promoted corporates, Deloitte’s gain was blunted by two of its clients dropping out of the blue-chip index.

Drax and Segro plc, ironically a company whose audit Deloitte poached from PwC earlier this year, dropped into the FTSE 250 together with Kelda Group, audited by E&Y.
More upheaval is set to hit the FTSE 100 if a high profile merger deal is completed later this year.

E&Y will benefit from the insurance giant Resolution’s bid for rival Friends Provident. In terms of director appointments, Resolution appears to be the senior partner in the move, suggesting E&Y could win the audit of the combined £8.6bn group at the expense of Friends’ auditor KPMG.