PwC overhauls KPMG as top AIM 100 auditor

PWC has replaced KPMG as the leading AIM 100 auditor after pulling in three new clients, according to the latest figures from Adviser Rankings.

The fourth quarter update found that overall client numbers were down among the main firms during the period, which is historically characterised by a “lull” in activity. The gains achieved through the period by PwC meant the aggregate value of the firm’s stable was only down slightly on the previous quarter “despite the general market decline”.

AIM 100 numbers were also on the rise for Deloitte and Grant Thornton, enabling both auditors to move into joint third position, ahead of EY and BDO.

Overall AIM numbers were down for both first-placed BDO and second-placed Grant Thornton, while a net gain of three clients means that KPMG is close to joining Grant Thornton. Numbers were also heading in the right direction for Crowe Clark Whitehill, UHY Hacker Young and Welbeck Associates.

“Despite the pull-back in valuations through the quarter, there were no positional variations in our rankings by way of aggregate market-cap. Collective valuations for the leading five auditors – PwC, KPMG, Deloitte, BDO and Grant Thornton – all pulled back, but they remain where they were in the rankings in July,” the report said.

KPMG and Grant Thornton now share joint-second place in Basic Materials at the expense of Deloitte, which moved back into fourth position. Rankings for the Consumer Goods sector were largely static through to October, although PwC now has sole top spot after BDO shed a client through the period.

There was limited movement within the all-important AIM financials sector, but Deloitte is now within the leading five rankings for the sector following a solitary gain.