KPMG overtakes PwC as UK's largest auditor

PricewaterhouseCoopers no longer holds
pole position as the UK auditor with the most clients; with KPMG taking top spot
for the first time.

The latest figures, from the Hemscott Quarterly Rankings of Auditors for
2007, show that KPMG now leads by 14, with
394 clients over PwC’s 385.

Five years ago, PwC led the rankings with 444, while KPMG followed with 368.
PwC has slipped to position two for the first time since its creation in 1998.

PwC still has 40% of FTSE 100 clients, and the highest turnover in the
sector. However, KPMG has 167 AIM-listed clients, the highest of any Big Four
firm in the mid-tier sector.

KPMG’s head of audit, Richard Bennison, said he was delighted with the
rankings, the FT reported.

‘We’ve put a lot of effort into being a good firm in the middle market and
these figures show we’re making headway,’ said Bennison. ‘If you concentrate on
Blue Chips, you can be perceived as arrogant and that can exclude you from the
middle market.’

Further reading:

Big Four and Beyond: Is bigger better?

‘Institutional prejudice’ extends to
largest AIM audits